Scotland trio return for Glasgow but four more held back for Bulls

Glasgow have recalled three more Scotland internationals on their return from Six Nations duty with Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones reprising their centre partnership in Friday’s home URC clash with Benetton at Scotstoun.

The celebrated ‘Huwipulotu’ combination started all five games together in Scotland’s campaign and sat out Warriors’ 38-17 victory over defending champions Leinster last week.

But they will be back in harness for the visit of the Italian outfit, with Adam Hastings restored at fly-half inside them and Ben Afshar starting at scrum-half, with George Horne rested along with wing Kyle Rowe and centre Stafford McDowall.

Scotland lock Max Williamson, who played an hour of their final Six Nations game against Ireland, also returns to club colours alongside the promoted Jare Oguntibeju in the second row, with last week’s starting pair – Alex Craig and Alex Samuel – moving to the bench.

Four other frontline Scotland players – tighthead prop Zander Fagerson and back-row trio Rory Darge, Matt Fagerson and Jack Dempsey – are being held back another week after heavy workloads so they are in prime shape to face Bulls a week on Saturday in the last 16 of the European Champions Cup.

Johnny Matthews, who has been sidelined since late December and missed Warriors’ last seven games, makes a welcome return from injury at hooker, meaning Gregor Hiddleston has a week off before potential back-to-back European knock-out games if they beat the Bulls next week.

Head coach Franco Smith also hands a senior debut to strapping former Scotland Under-20s wing Fergus Watson.

The 6ft 4in flyer, 20, impressed in pre-season but suffered a torn hamstring playing for Emerging Scotland against a Tonga XV in the autumn so has had to bide his time.

“Fergus has worked hard with our medical and S&C teams to put himself in the best position possible ahead of his debut, and we are excited to see him run out in the Glasgow jersey tomorrow night,” said Smith.

URC leaders Warriors have a four-point lead over second-placed Stormers and an eight-point advantage over third-placed Ulster as they seek to cement a top-two finish – something which eluded them last season – to guarantee home advantage through the play-offs.

Fixture

United Rugby Championship

Glasgow

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Full-time

Benetton

All Stats and Data

Benetton, who are seven points off a play-off place in 12^th with five games of the regular season left, have travelled to Glasgow without star centre Tommaso Menoncello and Italy captain Michele Lamaro, but do include Azzurri wing Louis Lynagh, fly-half Leonardo Marin and second-row duo Niccolo Cannone and Federico Ruzza in their side.

“We know that Benetton will provide a stern test– they are in the thick of the race for the play-offs and will compete for every opportunity,” Smith added.

“They will bring a squad full of international-calibre talent, and we must be at our best to meet their challenge.”

Glasgow XV:  15. J McKay, 14. F Watson, 13. H Jones, 12. S Tuipulotu (capt), 11. O Smith, 10. A Hastings, 9 B Afshar;  1. P Schickering, 2. J Matthews, 3. F Richardson, 4. J Oguntibeju 5. M Williamson, 6. E Ferrie, 7. S Vailanu, 8. M Duncan.

Replacements: 16. S Stephen, 17. J Bhatti, 18. S Talakai, 19. A Samuel, 20. A Craig, 21. A Fraser, 22. J Oliver, 23. D Lancaster.

Benetton XV: 15. M Gallagher, 14. L Lynagh, 13. P Odogwu, 12. T Medina 11. R Smyth; 10. L Marin 9. A Garbisi; 1. D Aminu, 2. B Bernasconi, 3. M Gallorini 4. N Cannone, 5. F Ruzza (capt) 6. A Izekor 7. M Zuliani, 8. S Fa’aso’o

Replacements: 16. N Gasperini, 17. T Gallo, 18. T Pasquale, 19. S Scrafton 20. M Midena 21. J Kingi 22. A Uren 23. F Drago