Glasgow Warriors will be bidding for back-to-back home victories over South African opposition when they host the Emirates Lions today at Scotstoun Stadium, kick-off 16.05.
The Lions will have to overpower their hosts upfront if they want to record their second win on tour. Luckily for the visitors, the Cell C Sharks showed them the way how to beat the Warriors during the second half last weekend.
However, the Warriors’ 35-24 triumph over the Sharks was a statement win, which showed in part that their performance in the opening round – when they pushed Ulster close (35-29) – was a sign of things to come rather than a flash in the pan. The same can’t be said of the Lions after they crashed back down to earth in Llanelli following their win in Parma.
The Warriors look like a well-oiled machine, one fuelled by playoff ambitions, whereas the Lions are still trying to find themselves in the new structures their all-former Springbok trio of assistant coaches are putting in place. Leaking four tries in the 36-13 loss to Scarlets is a concern, however, their misfiring set pieces are particularly problematic.
Glasgow dominated the lineout battle against the Sharks, snatching several steals, and with the Lions struggling in this department, expect the Warriors to target this set-piece to launch attacks from.
The Lions' hopes have been hit by the loss of Jordan Hendrikse to an ankle fracture which is set to keep the fly-half sidelined for three months. Their backup flyhalf, Eddie Fouche was also sidelined during the week resulting in regular fullback EW Viljoen being selected at flyhalf.
Jamie Bhatti will bring up a half-century of appearances in Glasgow Warriors colours tomorrow afternoon after the loose-head was named in the starting XV for the visit of the Emirates Lions to Scotstoun.
The 28-year-old – who scored his first try for the Warriors in last weekend’s 35-24 home victory over the Sharks – is part of a starting line-up showing four changes from Saturday’s encounter, as Danny Wilson’s side looks to make it back-to-back wins over South African opposition.
An unchanged front-row sees Fraser Brown continue at hooker, with the club co-captain packing down between Bhatti and Murray McCallum for tomorrow afternoon’s clash.
Lewis Bean makes his first start of the 2021/22 season as the Army man comes into the second-row alongside Richie Gray after Scott Cummings underwent surgery on a hand injury that will keep the Scotland international on the sidelines for six to eight weeks.
Rory Darge returns to the matchday 23 after missing the win over the Sharks, with the openside looking to build upon his Player of the Match-showing against Ulster in a back-row triumvirate completed by Ryan Wilson and Jack Dempsey.
The back division sees Jamie Dobie promoted to the starting XV for the first time this season, as the Inverness-born scrum-half forms a half-back combination with fly-half Ross Thompson.
Nick Grigg also comes in for his first start of the campaign, forming an all-Scotland centre partnership with last weekend’s Player of the Match, Sam Johnson.
For the third weekend in succession, the back three is unchanged, meaning Cole Forbes – fresh from his brace against the Sharks – will once again link up with Kyle Steyn and Rufus McLean.
The bench sees the return of the club’s most-capped player to the matchday 23, as Rob Harley brings his 252 appearances’ worth of experience to the squad.
At the other end of the experience spectrum, tight-head Murphy Walker retains his place amongst the replacements after making his professional debut last time out.
Johnny Matthews and Brad Thyer join Walker as the front-row cover, whilst George Horne and Sione Tuipulotu rotate to the bench after starting the opening two matches of the United Rugby Championship.
The replacements are rounded out by two players coming back into the fold after injury lay-offs; Duncan Weir returns to the squad after sitting out the Sharks victory with a head knock, whilst Matt Fagerson is in line for a first appearance since last season’s win over Leinster following successful arm surgery.
Speaking following selection, Head Coach Wilson told glasgowwarriors.org: “We’re looking forward to taking on another South African opposition tomorrow afternoon.
“Last week we played some really good rugby against the Sharks, finding a good balance between our kicking and running game. We scored some really good tries, but we took our foot off the pedal at around the 50th minute.
“This weekend against the Lions we’ll need to ensure we bring a complete performance and finish out the game strongly.
“We want to continue to build our strength in depth and tomorrow is another opportunity to do just that. We’re looking forward to seeing a different centre partnership in Nick [Grigg] and Sam [Johnson] run out this weekend and it’s great to welcome back Rory Darge and Matt Fagerson from injury.
“We’re up for the challenge the Lions will bring; they are a big physical side and we’ll need to ensure our set-piece is accurate.”
Emirates Lions head coach, Ivan van Rooyen named a new-look match 23.
EW Viljoen covers the flyhalf position as a result of injuries to both Jordan Hendrikse and Eddie Fouche. Also at the back, Stean Pienaar, Divan Rossouw and centre, Manuel Rass picks up their first starts of the tour.
Upfront, Jannie du Plessis and Sti Sithole start at tighthead and loosehead respectively, with Ruhan Straeuli packing down at the back of the scrum.
"Injuries are a reality of the game,” said Van Rooyen.
"Losing both Jordan and Eddie is obviously a massive blow for us, meaning we had to make a few adjustments as we prepare for Saturday.
"With the COVID-19 regulations it's been quite a challenge, however, we are doing our best to cope with the situation. Hopefully now with the relaxation of the travel ban to the UK, in consultation with URC, we can get a replacement to join the squad as soon as possible."
Van Rooyen went on to add that this would be an ideal opportunity for other members of the squad to take their chance.
"It also provides a few guys in the squad with an opportunity to showcase their talent against quality opposition in the VURC," he concluded.
Teams:
Glasgow Warriors: 15. Cole Forbes, 14. Kyle Steyn, 13. Nick Grigg, 12. Sam Johnson, 11. Rufus McLean, 10. Ross Thompson, 9. Jamie Dobie, 8. Jack Dempsey, 7. Rory Darge, 6. Ryan Wilson, 5. Richie Gray, 4. Lewis Bean, 3. Murray McCallum, 2. Fraser Brown, 1. Jamie Bhatti. Replacements: 16. Johnny Matthews, 17. Brad Thyer, 18. Murphy Walker, 19. Rob Harley, 20. Matt Fagerson, 21. George Horne, 22. Duncan Weir, 23. Sione Tuipulotu.
Emirates Lions: 15. Divan Rossouw, 14. Stean Pienaar, 13. Manuel Rass, 12. Burger Odendaal (c), 11. Rabz Maxwane, 10. EW Viljoen, 9. Andre Warner, 8. Ruhan Straeuli, 7. Vincent Tshituka, 6. Jaco Kriel, 5. Pieter Janse van Vuren, 4. Ruben Schoeman, 3. Jannie du Plessis, 2. Jaco Visagie, 1. Sti Sithole. Replacements: 16. PJ Botha, 17. Morgan Naude, 18. Carlu Sadie, 19. Reinhard Nothnagel, 20. Sibusiso Sangweni, 21. Morne van den Berg, 22. Matt More, 23. Wandisile Simelane.