Glasgow's Franco Smith wields the axe for top-of-the-table URC clash

Glasgow have recalled five Scotland internationals among 11 changes to the side thumped by the Lions last weekend for Saturday’s top-of-the-table United Rugby Championship clash with the Stormers in Cape Town.

Wings Kyle Steyn and Ollie Smith, centre Sione Tuipulotu, fly-half Adam Hastings and scrum-half Ben Afshar all return to the backline, with Kyle Rowe switching to full-back in place of the rested Josh McKay.

Tuipulotu resumes his midfield partnership with Huw Jones, with Stafford McDowall dropping to the bench, where he will also cover No.10.

Up front, Patrick Schickerling, Gregor Hiddleston and Zander Fagerson all come into the front row, with 21-year-old lock Ryan Burke handed a full debut having made his senior bow off the bench in Johannesburg last week.

A further change in the pack sees the versatile Angus Fraser take over from Sione Vailanu, who is among the replacements, at openside flanker.

Warriors are four points clear at the top of the URC ahead of Stormers, who suffered a surprise home defeat by Connacht last weekend, with three games of the regular season left.

Springboks fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu will play his 50th game for the hosts, who also include 18-year-old centre Markus Muller on the bench, where he is joined by former Warriors prop Oli Kebble.

“The Stormers will pose a stern test this weekend, as they defend a proud home record in front of a partisan home support in Cape Town,” said Glasgow head coach Franco Smith.

“They are able to call upon some of the most exciting talents in the BKT URC, blending physicality up front with an electrifying back-line.

“It is a test that we know we must be at our best to match, and the squad is ready to run out at DHL Stadium tomorrow afternoon.”

Stormers: Damian Willemse, Wandisile Simelane, Ruhan Nel (captain), Dan du Plessis, Leolin Zas, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Cobus Reinach; Ntuthuko Mchunu, Andre-Hugo Venter, Neethling Fouche, Adre Smith, Ruben van Heerden, Paul de Villiers, Ben-Jason Dixon, Evan Roos

Replacements: JJ Kotze, Oli Kebble, Zachary Porthen, Marcel Theunissen, Keke Morabe, Imad Khan, Jurie Matthee, Markus Muller.

Glasgow team: Kyle Rowe, Kyle Steyn, Huw Jones, Sione Tuipulotu, Ollie Smith; Adam Hastings, Ben Afshar; Patrick Schickerling, Gregor Hiddleston, Zander Fagerson, Ryan Burke, Alex Samuel, Euan Ferrie, Angus Fraser, Jack Dempsey.

Reps: Johnny Matthews, Nathan McBeth, Sam Talakai, Dylan Cockburn, Jare Oguntibeju, Sione Vailanu, Stafford McDowall, Jack Oliver.