Franco Smith 'unable to fly to South Africa' Glasgow confirm

Glasgow have announced that head coach Franco Smith has been unable to return to his native South Africa because of visa delays.

The former South Africa international will miss their game against Cell C Sharks on Saturday.

Smith worked in the country as recently as 2019 before leaving to take charge of Italy following a four-year spell coaching Cheetahs.

Warriors said in a statement: “Franco Smith has been unable to fly to South Africa for this weekend’s game due to visa delays. He will join up with the squad at the earliest possible opportunity.

“Attack coach Nigel Carolan will take responsibility on the ground in South Africa for (Saturday’s) game.”

The rest of the Warriors party flew out on Tuesday with a 36-man squad for the BKT United Rugby Championship double header against the Sharks and Emirates Lions.

Full-back Ollie Smith will make his first appearance of the season in Durban following injury while fly-half Ross Thompson could do the same from the bench.

Head coach Smith has made four changes with hooker George Turner, flanker Sintu Manjezi and scrum-half Ali Price promoted to the starting line-up.

Oli Kebble is back on the bench but Jack Dempsey is still missing with a rib injury despite travelling, and Jamie Dobie is still waiting for his comeback from a hamstring injury.

GLASGOW WARRIORS:
1. Jamie Bhatti
2. George Turner
3. Zander Fagerson
4. Sintu Manjezi
5. Richie Gray
6. Scott Cummings
7. Thomas Gordon
8. Matt Fagerson
9. Ali Price
10. Tom Jordan
11. Josh McKay
12. Sam Johnson
13. Sione Tuipulotu (C)
14. Sebastian Cancelliere
15. Ollie Smith

REPLACEMENTS:
16. Fraser Brown
17. Oli Kebble
18. Murphy Walker
19. JP du Preez
20. Ryan Wilson
21. Gregor Brown
22. George Horne
23. Ross Thompson