Glasgow make just two changes for 1872 Cup decider

Glasgow head coach Franco Smith has made two changes to his starting XV for tomorrow night’s 1872 Cup decider at BT Murrayfield, as the Warriors look to do the double over Edinburgh in Round 11 of the United Rugby Championship.

Having earned a 16-10 victory at Scotstoun last Friday night, Smith’s men travel east knowing that a second successive win over their cross-country rivals would bring the 1872 Cup back to the west of Scotland once more.

An unchanged pack sees Lucio Sordoni retained in the starting XV after his late inclusion for last weekend’s clash, as the tighthead joins Fraser Brown and Jamie Bhatti at the coal face.

Sintu Manjezi and Richie Gray pair up once more in the second row, the former’s tally of five lineout steals placing him in the top five in the URC overall.

Matt Fagerson and Sione Vailanu are once again named on the flanks, with Jack Dempsey – scorer of Glasgow’s only try at Scotstoun last weekend – continuing at number eight.

Ali Price comes in to start at scrumhalf, swapping places with George Horne, with Tom Jordan named at flyhalf.

The midfield combination is retained from last Friday’s victory, meaning Stafford McDowall and Sione Tuipulotu combine in the 12 and 13 jerseys.

Ollie Smith is the only further alteration to the starting XV, with the fullback joining captain Kyle Steyn and Sebastian Cancelliere in the back three.

On the bench, Nathan McBeth comes back into the matchday 23 after his late withdrawal due to illness ahead of the Scotstoun leg, with George Turner and Simon Berghan completing the front-row replacements.

Fresh from his impact off the bench, JP du Preez once again wears 19, joining Lewis Bean and Cameron Neild – who made his home debut for the club last time out – in a six-two split of forwards and backs.

George Horne rotates to the bench to accommodate Price’s inclusion, as Domingo Miotti completes the matchday squad.

“Last weekend was an important win for us, but we know that the job is still only half done,” said Smith.

“We were impressed with the professionalism of our squad in getting the result at Scotstoun last Friday. We know there is more to come from this group, though, and that has been the challenge we’ve put to the players this week.

“The onus is on ourselves tomorrow night; we want to go out and deliver the performance of which we know we are capable.”

Glasgow Warriors:

1 Jamie Bhatti (77)
2 Fraser Brown (131)
3 Lucio Sordoni (5)
4 Sintu Manjezi (11)
5 Richie Gray (92)
6 Matt Fagerson (85)
7 Sione Vailanu (6)
8 Jack Dempsey (28)

9 Ali Price (118)
10 Tom Jordan (10)
11 Kyle Steyn (C) (56)
12 Stafford McDowall (45)
13 Sione Tuipulotu (28)
14 Sebastian Cancelliere (18)
15 Ollie Smith (22)

Replacements
16 George Turner (85)
17 Nathan McBeth (10)
18 Simon Berghan (19)
19 JP du Preez (10)
20 Lewis Bean (25)
21 Cameron Neild (2)
22 George Horne (90)
23 Domingo Miotti (13)

Unavailable for selection: Gregor Brown (foot), Scott Cummings (foot), Rory Darge (ankle), Allan Dell (calf), Zander Fagerson (hamstring), Angus Fraser (calf), Oli Kebble (shoulder), Jack Mann (head), Enrique Pieretto (chest), Ross Thompson (ankle), Ryan Wilson (knee).

– Glasgow Rugby