Glasgow Warriors to face Antoine Dupont as Toulouse make big call on scrum-half and Blair Kinghorn
Romain Ntamack also back for mouthwatering Champions Cup tie
Toulouse are to unleash Antoine Dupont at Scotstoun on Saturday night, selecting the brilliant scrum-half to start a match for the first time since he ruptured his knee ligaments during the Six Nations.
He will play alongside Romain Ntamack in a mouthwatering halfback combination after the stand-off recovered from illness which caused him to miss last weekend’s win over the Sharks.
Blair Kinghorn, the Scotland international, is also starting against Glasgow Warriors in what is a highly potent looking Toulouse backline for the Investec Champions Cup tie.
Dupont, 29, has come off the bench in their last two games but has now been passed fit to start for the first time in nine months after recovering from the knee injury sustained in France’s win over Ireland in Dublin on March 8.
Thomas Ramos, who started at 10 in the 56-19 win over the Sharks in Toulouse’s Champions Cup opener, moves to full-back for the game in Glasgow, with Kinghorn selected on the left wing. Italy international Ange Capuozzo, who scored a hat-trick against the Sharks, is on the right wing.
One change for Glasgow
The Warriors also enjoyed an impressive win in their first game of this season’s Champions Cup, defeating Sale away with a bonus point. Toulouse, Glasgow and Saracens sit atop Pool 1 with five points apiece after the first round. The other Pool 1 fixtures on Saturday see Sharks host Saracens and Clermont take on Sale at home.
Glasgow have made only one change to the team which defeated Sale 26-21 in Salford. Jamie Dobie replaces George Horne as starting scrum-half, meaning the Inverness-born No 9 will be up against Dupont, widely seen as one of the world’s best players. Dobie drops to the bench.
Franco Smith, the Glasgow head coach, is expecting the toughest of tests against the six-time European champions.
“We were pleased to open our Investec Champions Cup campaign with a win last weekend, yet we know that there are still more levels to come from this group as we continue to build,” Smith told glasgowwarriors.org.
“Toulouse possess one of the deepest squads in European rugby and have a proud record in this competition, and we know the scale of the test that awaits us tomorrow night.
“We look forward to running out under the lights in front of a sold-out Scotstoun, and we know the Warrior Nation will help to make it an atmosphere to remember.”
Glasgow v Toulouse teams
Glasgow Warriors v Stade Toulousain (Investec Champions Cup Pool 1, Scotstoun Stadium, Saturday, 8pm)
Glasgow Warriors: 15. Josh McKay; 14. Kyle Steyn (c), 13. Stafford McDowall, 12. Sione Tuipulotu, 11. Ollie Smith; 10. Adam Hastings, 9. Jamie Dobie; 1. Nathan McBeth, 2. Gregor Hiddleston, 3. Zander Fagerson, 4. Max Williamson, 5. Scott Cummings, 6. Matt Fagerson, 7. Rory Darge, 8. Jack Dempsey. Replacements: 16. Seb Stephen, 17. Rory Sutherland, 18. Sam Talakai, 19. Alex Craig, 20. Gregor Brown, 21. Ally Miller, 22. George Horne, 23. Dan Lancaster.
Stade Toulousain: 15. Thomas Ramos; 14. Ange Capuozzo, 13. Paul Costes, 12. Kalvin Gourgues, 11. Blair Kinghorn; 10. Romain Ntamack, 9. Antoine Dupont; 1. David Ainu'u, 2. Julien Marchand (c), 3. Dorian Aldegheri, 4. Joshua Brennan, 5. Thibaud Flament, 6. Jack Willis, 7. Leo Banos, 8. Anthony Jelonch. Replacements: 16. Thomas Lacombre, 17. Rodrigue Neti, 18. Joel Merkler, 19. Emmanuel Meafou, 20. Mathis Castro-Ferreira, 21. Alexandre Roumat, 22. Paul Graou, 23. Teddy Thomas.
Referee: Matthew Carley (Eng).
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