Scotland forward ends four-month Glasgow Warriors exile as Connacht team named
Franco Smith makes four changes for URC play-off quarter-final
Glasgow Warriors have announced their team to play Connacht in Friday night’s United Rugby Championship quarter-final clash at Scotstoun and there is a return for one of their most experienced players.
Scott Cummings has been named in the starting XV after recovering from a long-standing calf injury. It will be the second-row forward’s first match since helping Scotland beat France 50-40 in the Six Nations on March 7 and his first Glasgow outing since an appearance off the bench in the home win over Zebre on January 24.
“We are pleased to welcome Scott back into our matchday 23 after his injury layoff,” said Franco Smith, the Glasgow Warriors head coach. “He has worked hard and worked closely with our medical and S&C teams to put himself in the best possible position ahead of his return.”
While Smith is able to welcome back Cummings the match has come too soon for Jamie Dobie. The scrum-half/wing injured his shoulder in Scotland’s Calcutta Cup win over England on February 14 and it was hoped he could return for the URC play-offs.
If Glasgow can overcome Connacht they will face either the Bulls or Munster in the semi-finals the following week.
Smith has made four changes in total to the team that beat Ulster in Glasgow’s final match of the regular URC season. Cummings replaces Gregor Brown, who injured his calf in Belfast. In the front row, Patrick Schickerling takes over from Nathan McBeth at loosehead. There are also two changes in the back row, with Matt Fagerson returning as blindside flanker in place of Ally Miller and Rory Darge in at openside for Macenzzie Duncan.
The backline is unchanged but there is one alteration on the bench, with Jack Oliver stepping up as a replacement scrum-half, taking over from Ben Afshar who has an ankle injury. There are 12 Scotland internationals in the Warriors starting XV.
Glasgow finished the league season in first place and are top seeds for the play-offs, meaning they have home advantage. Connacht finished in eighth place but enjoyed a strong second half to the season, winning eight of their final nine URC matches under experienced head coach Stuart Lancaster.
“Connacht will present a strong challenge tomorrow evening,” added Smith. “They have a well-drilled squad full of talent, and come here as one of the most in-form teams in the competition.”
The coach has urged the Glasgow Warriors supporters to get behind the team as they look to reach the URC semi finals for the third season in a row.
“We know the difference that the Warrior Nation can make, and we look forward to hearing them get behind the team at Scotstoun as we kick off the playoffs tomorrow night.”
Tickets for the match are still available.
Glasgow Warriors: Josh McKay; Kyle Steyn (capt), Stafford McDowall, Sione Tuipulotu, Kyle Rowe; Dan Lancaster, George Horne; Patrick Schickerling, Johnny Matthews, Zander Fagerson, Scott Cummings, Alex Samuel, Matt Fagerson, Rory Darge, Jack Dempsey. Replacements: Gregor Hiddleston, Rory Sutherland, Sam Talakai, Jare Oguntibeju, Euan Ferrie, Sione Vailanu, Jack Oliver, Ollie Smith.
Connacht Rugby: Sam Gilbert; Shane Jennings, John Devine, Bundee Aki, Shayne Bolton; Josh Ioane, Ben Murphy; Billy Bohan, Dylan Tierney-Martin, Sam Illo, Darragh Murray, Josh Murphy, Cian Prendergast (capt), Shamus Hurley-Langton, Paul Boyle. Replacements: Dave Heffernan, Peter Dooley, Finlay Bealham, Joe Joyce, Sean O’Brien, Matthew Devine, Hugh Gavin, Sean Naughton.
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