Kyle Steyn returns for Glasgow after remarkable fracture turnaround

Scotland wing Kyle Steyn will make an earlier-than-expected return to action to lead Glasgow Warriors when they take on the Pretoria Bulls in their round-of-16 European Champions Cup tie against Scotstoun on Saturday.

Steyn, shortlisted for the Six Nations Player of the Championship after a standout campaign, returned to Warriors with a stress fracture of the foot which was expected to keep him out for several weeks.

But after sitting out Glasgow’s URC wins over Leinster and Benetton over the last fortnight, the 32-year-old is one of five frontline Scotland stars head coach Franco Smith has recalled to tackle the Bulls, who have named 10 Springboks and four more on the bench in their match-day 23.

Zander Fagerson returns to a front row where Gregor Hiddleston also comes in at hooker, while Matt Fagerson, Rory Darge and Jack Dempsey return in an all-changed back row.

Alex Samuel, in prime form in recent weeks, also starts at lock alongside Max Williamson in a further change to the pack.

Behind the scrum, Smith has opted for the consistent Stafford McDowall over Huw Jones at outside centre alongside Sione Tuipulotu, while Dan Lancaster is preferred at fly-half with Adam Hastings on the bench.
George Horne also returns at scrum-half after being rested for last week’s victory over Benetton.

Glasgow qualified as number two seeds for the knockout stages after beating Sale Sharks, Toulouse, Clermont Auvergne and Saracens – all with bonus points – to reach the last 16 with maximum points.

Glasgow team: J McKay, K Steyn, S McDowall, S Tuipulotu, O Smith, D Lancaster, B Afshar; P Schickerling, G Hiddleston, Z Fagerson, M Williamson, A Samuel, M Fagerson, R Darge, J Dempsey.

Replacements: S Stephen, J Bhatti, S Talakai, J Oguntibeju, E Ferrie, A Fraser, B Afshar, A Hastings.