Glasgow Warriors ring changes but keep key combo in bid to maintain URC momentum

On the back of big wins over Clermont and Saracens, Warriors picked up a 20-point maximum in Pool 1 of European rugby’s top-tier competition and as a result have home advantage all the way to the final should they keep progressing.

Franco Smith’s men hit the road in the URC, however, when they travel to Italy on Saturday night to face Zebre in Parma. Going into the latest round of fixtures, Warriors sit second in the standings as they aim to hunt down leaders Bulls - the team they face in the last 16 of the Champions Cup.

“We know that we must continue to display the best version of ourselves tomorrow night as we look to keep our recent momentum going upon our return to the URC,” said Smith.

“Zebre possess a proud home record and a playing group packed with talent, with several of their players having been named in the Italy squad earlier this week. Training has been sharp and focused this week, and we are looking forward to the challenge tomorrow night.”

Smith has named a strong team for the game at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi on Saturday night despite making six changes from the team that pummelled Saracens last time out. A bonus-point victory over the hosts will secure the Scottish-Italian Shield for the Warriors for the fourth successive season.

Jones and Tuipulotu pair up

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend will note that Huw Jones gets another run-out at centre alongside Sione Tuipulotu following a long lay-off from injury.

Hooker Gregor Hiddleston, who was snubbed for the Six Nations squad, retains his spot in the front-row, lining up between Jamie Bhatti and Murphy Walker, the latter making his first appearance since October’s win over the Bulls at Scotstoun.

Max Williamson comes into the starting line-up after coming off the bench at Scotstoun last Sunday, partnering Alex Craig at second row.

Jack Dempsey starts at No 8 in the week he was nominated for Investec Player of the Year for 2025/26, with Gregor Brown and Rory Darge packing down either side of him on the flanks.

Following on from the announcement earlier this month that he is joining Montpellier at the end of the season, Adam Hastings returns at fly-half after a fortnight’s layoff due to injury, pairing up with George Horne in the half-backs one week on from the scrum-half’s 150th appearance for the Warriors.

Tuipulotu and Jones continue their combination in the midfield and the back-three is unchanged, with Ollie Smith and Kyle Steyn on the wings and Kyle Rowe at full-back.

Prop Nathan McBeth is set for his first outing in Glasgow Warriors colours since last month’s 1872 Cup victory at Scottish Gas Murrayfield, the loose-head joining Seb Stephen and Zander Fagerson as the front-row replacements.

Scott Cummings and Matt Fagerson rotate to the bench after starting last time out alongside Euan Ferrie, Stafford McDowall and Ben Afshar.

Zebre have had a difficult season after nine matches and sit second bottom of the standings, although they have won their past two matches against Ospreys in the URC and Black Lion in the Challenge Cup last weekend.