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Pre-Season Matches, Take 2

Fraser Thomson - Glasgow Warriors train at Cartha Queens Park RFC - pic courtesy SRU / PA Images

After losing both of their opening pre-season warm-ups, Edinburgh and Glasgow coaches Michael Bradley and Gregor Townsend have shuffled the teams again in a bid to integrate some of the international players back into the squads while continuing to bring in new faces.

Glasgow take to the field tonight at the home of Ayr, Millbrae, led by a new captain in Finlay Gillies and a trickle of internationals back from leave, including Rob Harley, John Barclay and Duncan Weir. Possibly most valuable of all is the return from Canadian duty of DTH Van Der Merwe, whose try scoring power was really missed by Glasgow last season.

No sign yet though of Fijian scrum half Nikola Matawalu, who is due to arrive in Glasgow soon.

Glasgow Warriors team to play Exeter Chiefs At Millbrae, Ayr RFC, on Thursday 23 August (kick-off 7.30pm):

Fraser Thomson, Tommy Seymour, Byron McGuigan, Peter Horne, DTH van der Merwe, Duncan Weir, Henry Pyrgos; Gordon Reid, Finlay Gillies (capt), Moray Low, Tom Ryder, Nick Campbell, Rob Harley, John Barclay, Ryan Wilson
Replacements: Adam Ashe, Mike Cusack, George Hunter, James Eddie, Angus MacDonald, Chris Fusaro, Graeme Morrison, Peter Murchie, Scott Wight, Sean Kennedy, Ryan Grant

Not considered for selection due to injury: Dougie Hall (groin), Ed Kalman (back) Rory Lamont (leg), Pat MacArthur (foot), Tim Swinson (face), Jon Welsh (shoulder)

Having pulled out late last time with a hip niggle, former Auckland Blue Ben Atiga is set to make his debut for Edinburgh this week although John Houston is in place to fill in once again if required. With Leonard picking up a knock last week, Macphail scholarship player Gregor Hunter gets a chance to show what he learned in New Zealand. He starts alongside Richie Rees, who looked sharp when he came on according to reports last week.

In the pack, Willem (that seems to be his name now) Nel gets a start in the first home game of the season alongside John Yapp and Andy Titterell, and our overseas player of last Season Netani Talei packs down at 8. Unlike Glasgow, none of the big names are back in action yet.

Edinburgh Rugby team to play Northampton Saints at Murrayfield Stadium on Friday 24 August (kick-off 7.30pm):

Tom Brown, Mike Penn, Greig Tonks, Ben Atiga/John Houston, Sep Visser, Gregor Hunter, 9 Richie Rees; 1 John Yapp, 2 Andy Titterrell, 3 Willem Nel, 4 Perry Parker, 5 Steven Turnbull, 6 Dimitri Basilaia, 7 Roddy Grant CAPTAIN, 8 Netani Talei
Substitutes: Alun Walker, Robin Hislop, Lewis Niven, Sean Cox, Robert McAlpine, Hamish Watson, Chris Leck, John Houston, Jamie Farndale, Dougie Fife, James King

1 response

  1. Yep, the Glasgow squad looks more like the real thing. Still no Cusiter, Dunbar, Kellock or Hogg though. Edinburgh are probably only playing two first choice players from last season in Brown and big Netanie. Will be interesting to see how they get on.

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