mens
united-rugby-championship
Franco Smith has initiated extensive adjustments to his Glasgow Warriors lineup for the upcoming clash against the Ospreys in Bridgend on Saturday evening within the United Rugby Championship. These changes involve a total of 12 substitutions, including three positional shifts, compared to the team that decisively defeated the Dragons with a score of 49-0 the previous weekend.
Only captain Kyle Steyn, centre Sione Tuipulotu and fly-half Adam Hastings have retained their positions in the starting lineup. Ollie Smith will transition from outside centre to full-back, Jamie Dobie will move from the wing to scrum-half, and Euan Ferrie will switch from the No.8 position to blindside flanker.
Patrick Schickerling and Murphy Walker will form an entirely new front-row alongside hooker Johnny Matthews, who is celebrating his 100th appearance. Alex Samuel will return to partner Max Williamson in the second-row. Matt Fagerson is set to make his first start of the season at No.8, joining Ferrie and Angus Fraser in a revamped back-row.
Tuipulotu and Stafford McDowall will reunite in the midfield, while Steyn will continue on the wing alongside Kyle Rowe and Smith in the back three.
Among the replacements, Scotland U20 hooker Seb Stephen is poised to make his first appearance of the season, while Nathan McBeth is returning from injury, and Jare Oguntibeju and Alex Craig will provide cover for the second-row.
Fixture
United Rugby Championship
Ospreys
Glasgow
In anticipation of the match at Brewery Field, Smith commented: “We were satisfied with the outcome of last weekend’s game, but we recognize that there is still significant room for development and improvement as we progress.”
“The Ospreys have demonstrated their ability to create challenges for any team. They take great pride in defending their home ground, so we are aware that we will need to elevate our performance to meet the demands of their challenge.”
Glasgow Warriors XV: 15 Ollie Smith, 14 Kyle Steyn (C), 13 Stafford McDowall, 12 Sione Tuipulotu, 11 Kyle Rowe, 10 Adam Hastings, 9 Jamie Dobie; 1 Patrick Schickerling, 2 Johnny Matthews, 3 Murphy Walker, 4 Max Williamson, 5 Alex Samuel, 6 Euan Ferrie, 7 Angus Fraser, 8 Matt Fagerson.
Replacements: 16 Seb Stephen, 17 Nathan McBeth, 18 Sam Talakai, 19 Jare Oguntibeju, 20 Alex Craig, 21 Macenzie Duncan, 22 Ben Afshar, 23 Dan Lancaster.
