Key Scotland men return as Glasgow Warriors seek perfect 10
Scotland centre pairing recalled after post-Six Nations rest
Glasgow Warriors have brought back Scotland and Lions centres Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones for Friday’s match with Benetton at Scotstoun as they look to strengthen their grip at the top of the United Rugby Championship.
Franco Smith’s side have won nine out of nine competitive matches at home this season, with last weekend’s win over URC champions Leinster being their latest statement result.
It was achieved without Tuipulotu and Jones who were rested after playing in all five of Scotland’s Six Nations matches. The pair return for the clash with Benetton who are down in 12th place but have beaten Glasgow in the sides' two previous meetings, both in Italy.
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Smith, the Warriors head coach, is giving a debut to former Scotland Under-20 winger Fergus Watson who impressed during pre-season but was then sidelined by injury.
Eight changes
“Fergus has worked hard with our medical and S&C teams to put himself in the best position possible ahead of his debut, and we are excited to see him run out in the Glasgow jersey tomorrow night,” said Smith.
The coach has made eight changes in total to the side which beat Leinster. Max Williamson and Adam Hastings, also part of the Six Nations squad, return to the starting XV along with Johnny Matthews, Jare Oguntibeju and Ben Afshar. Dropping out are Gregor Hiddleston, Geroge Horne, Stafford McDowall, Johnny Ventisei, Kyle Rowe, Alex Craig, Alex Samuel and Dan Lancaster, with the latter three named on the bench.
Several other Scotland players have been given another week to recover, notably Zander Fagerson, Matt Fagerson, Rory Darge and Kyle Rowe. Rory Sutherland misses out with a wrist injury.
Glasgow Warriors v Benetton teams
Glasgow Warriors: Josh McKay; Fergus Watson, Huw Jones, Sione Tuipulotu (capt), Ollie Smith; Adam Hastings, Ben Afshar; Patrick Schickerling, Johnny Matthews, Fin Richardson, Jare Oguntibeju, Max Williamson, Euan Ferrie, Sione Vailanu, Macenzzie Duncan. Replacements: Seb Stephen, Jamie Bhatti, Sam Talakai, Alex Samuel, Alex Craig, Angus Fraser, Jack Oliver, Dan Lancaster.
Benetton: Matt Gallagher; Louis Lynagh, Paolo Odogwu, Tomas Medina, Rhyno Smith; Leonardo Marin, Alessandro Garbisi; Destiny Aminu, Bautista Bernasconi, Marcos Gallorini, Niccolò Cannone, Federico Ruzza (capt), Alessandro Izekor, Manuel Zuliani, Lorenzo Cannone. Replacements: Nicholas Gasperini, Thomas Gallo, Tiziano Pasquali, Scott Scrafton, Mattia Midena, Jadin Kingi, Andy Uren, Filippo Drago.
Referee: Ben Breakspear (WRU).
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