Glasgow Warriors | Donnie to lead the Warriors

May 04, 2006

Donnie to lead the Warriors

Posted by Assistant Editor on May 4, 2006 02:57 PM | 6 comments | Print | E-mail author

Donnie takes the captain's armband from JP in a squad shake-up

There have been eight changes to the Glasgow team as they prepare to face Leinster on Sunday at Firhill, including Donnie Macfadyen's first game as captain.

Head coach Sean Lineen said: "This is going to be a really tough game. Leinster are going for the Celtic League title so they’ve got everything to play for but we want to win this one."

In the front row, Ben Prescott gets his first start this year following shoulder surgery early on in the season and Fergus Thomson starts at hooker while the rotation continues in the second row with James Eddie starting in place of Tim Barker. Sean's plan of testing different combinations of players in the back row also continues with John Beattie starting at No.8, Andrew Wilson at blindside flanker and Donnie Macfadyen, who captains the side for the first time, at openside flanker with club captain Jon Petrie rested.

Donnie said: "It's just awesome, I'm so excited about leading the side as I've played for Glasgow for a long time and have never been captain so I'm keen to get out there and give it a damn good go against a top side."

Sean added: "I'm really excited by this back row combination. Plus we have John Barclay on the bench, who's been playing very well so I'd like to include him during the game and we have Stevie Swindall on the bench too."

In the backs, Colin Shaw moves to fullback and Spencer Davey moves out to the wing with Graydon Staniforth moving to the bench and Colin Gregor starts at scrum half as both Graeme Beveridge and Sam Pinder are on the injured list.

15 Colin Shaw
14 Spencer Davey
13 Hefin O'Hare
12 Andy Henderson
11 Rory Lamont
10 Dan Parks
9 Colin Gregor*
1 Kevin Tkachuk
2 Fergus Thomson
3 Ben Prescott
4 James Eddie
5 Dan Turner
6 Andrew Wilson*
8 John Beattie*
7 Donnie Macfadyen (Captain)

Substitutes
16 Eric Milligan
17 Stuart Corsar
18 Craig Hamilton
19 John Barclay*
20 Iain Monaghan
21 Steve Swindall
22 Graydon Staniforth

Unavailable for selection due to injury: Scott Barrow (groin), Graeme Beveridge (neck), Graeme Morrison (groin), Euan Murray (Achilles), Sam Pinder (neck), Mike Roberts (ankle).

Rested: Scott Lawson, Jon Petrie.

Comments

Posted by A True Warrior on May 4, 2006 03:40 PM | Reply to this comment

Interesting team. Nice to see Donnie Mac being awarded the Captaincy, usually seems to have quite a bit to say on the pitch. Does this mean we can expect to see him play a full 80mins? Sean's comment that he'd like to include Johny Barclay at somepoint might suggest not. With only two backs on the bench once again, one can't help but wonder what exactly it is that Calvin and Ian Kennedy have done, once again no where near the squad and not listed as injured, are they even still training with the team? Good to see Scotty and JP given a long over due break, they've really struggled in recent weeks.

Posted by vicki on May 4, 2006 04:01 PM | Reply to this comment

I think Lineen needed to shake up the team, after the game against the Dragons. Players who haven't been performing need to make way for those guys waiting in the wings to come on and impress, otherwise what incentive is there?

Pleased for Donnie that, now he is back from injury, he is also getting to lead the team. A nice way to round off a rotten year and a half! And if he does come off before F-T, Dan is a more than able replacement as captain.

It should be interesting to see how this team performs on Sunday. I had hoped G-Dog would be returning soon, as he is listed for Scotland training squads. But as Scott Barrow showed, he shouldn't be brought back too early.

Posted by oldies on May 4, 2006 11:13 PM | Reply to this comment

It was memntioned the other day that Calvin hasn't been seen at training lately. Could he be finished already with the team????????? What a shame we the supporters aren't given the opportunity to farewell players.

Posted by Lindsay on May 5, 2006 07:31 AM | Reply to this comment

I thought he had already left (or maybe I'm just getting my facts wrong, again!).

Well done to Donnie! My first Warriors match and I will get to see him captain the team. Can't get any better than that!

Posted by sunday5 on May 7, 2006 01:29 PM | Reply to this comment

Well, it could be better. I mean it would be a lot better if we could get a win out of it. But agreed that he sould make a good Captain. Lets hope he is vocal enough on the pitch to make his presence felt. He is in such terrific shape at the moment, it is hard to believe he has been out for the last 18 months.

Posted by vicki on May 7, 2006 02:07 PM | Reply to this comment

It would be extremely disappointing if we have seen Calvin's last game for Glasgow, as he has been such a key member of the squad over the last few years, and I'm sure everyone would prefer to have the chance to say goodbye and good luck to him.

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May 04, 2006

Donnie to lead the Warriors

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