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Franco Smith names 3 debutants in Glasgow side to face Benetton
New Glasgow coach Franco Smith has named three debutants in his starting XV for Friday’s United Rugby Championship opener away to Benetton.
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Tight-head Lucio Sordoni, blindside flanker Sintu Manjezi and fly-half Tom Jordan will all make their first professional appearances for the Warriors as they kick off a new era in northern Italy following the departure of Danny Wilson earlier in the summer.
“We’re all excited to get our season under way tomorrow evening in Treviso,” Smith told Glasgow’s website.
“The boys have all worked extremely hard throughout pre-season and tomorrow gives them the opportunity to show the results.
“Lucio, Sintu and Tom have all earned the opportunity to make their debut for the club tomorrow and we look forward to seeing them make their mark in a Warriors jersey.”
Benetton won only six of their 18 URC games last term, but Smith, who had a short stint in charge of the Italian national team before becoming their head of high performance, is not expecting a straightforward opening night.
“Benetton are a fit, attack-minded team who like to run the ball from everywhere and we’ll need to be at our best in Treviso,” he said.
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New club captain Kyle Steyn will make his 50th appearance in Glasgow colours at the Stadio Comunale di Monigo, while a strong bench includes Johnny Matthews, Oli Kebble, Zander Fagerson, Scott Cummings, Rory Darge and Ali Price.
Allan Dell, Huw Jones and Ross Thompson are among those absent through injury.
GLASGOW WARRIORS TEAM:
1. Jamie Bhatti
2. Fraser Brown
3. Lucio Sordoni
4. Lewis Bean
5. Richie Gray
6. Sintu Manjezi
7. Matt Fagerson
8. Jack Dempsey
9. George Horne
10. Tom Jordan
11. Kyle Steyn (C)
12. Stafford McDowall
13. Sione Tuipulotu
14. Sebastian Cancelliere
15. Cole Forbes
REPLACEMENTS:
16. JohnnyMatthews
17. Oli Kebble
18. Zander Fagerson
19. Scott Cummings
20. Rory Darge
21. Thomas Gordon
22. Ali Price
23. Duncan Weir
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Comments on RugbyPass
The value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
40 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
40 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
40 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
51 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
40 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
40 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
40 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
40 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
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