Dave Rennie has made a number of changes from the side that demolished Munster so enjoyably last weekend but it is still a strong looking team. Most of the changes come in the pack where the front row of Bhatti, Turner and Fagerson that has started all of the games so far are rested. Bhatti remains on the bench despite the news that the ever-meandering career of former Lion Ryan Grant will see him once again in Glasgow colours (they’ve also signed Sevens player Robert Beattie in a share deal with Glasgow Hawks).
Most of the changes come in the pack where the front row of Bhatti, Turner and Fagerson that has started all of the games so far are rested. Bhatti remains on the bench despite the news that the ever-meandering career of former Lion Ryan Grant will see him once again in Glasgow colours (they’ve also signed Sevens player Robert Beattie in a share deal with Glasgow Hawks). Callum Gibbins also gets a rest with old-hands Rob Harley and Chris Fusaro given a run out.
In the backs, Finn Russell – who continues to be surrounded by big-money transfer rumours for next season – is rested and Pete Horne takes the reins at standoff. A welcome sight for international watchers is Tommy Seymour lining up on the wing. After an extended layoff following the Lions tour he’ll be itching to pin down his wing spot again, with Leo Sarto and Lee Jones both impressing in recent weeks. With Alex Dunbar possibly out until the autumn at least, Johnson and Grigg should make an effective pairing in the middle.
Scotland hooker Fraser Brown and utility back Brandon Thomson could get their first outings of the season as could young Adam Nicol from the bench. While Zander is rested this week, little brother Matt Fagerson is back in the squad after it was announced he’s signed a full contract with the Warriors until 2020.
It’s not a star-studded Treviso team pitching up at Scotstoun but they have a few more of their biggish names restored than they did when they dispatched Edinburgh and have momentum following a win over the similarly troubled Ospreys.
Not to be taken lightly.
Glasgow Warriors: R Jackson, T Seymour, N Grigg, S Johnson, L Jones, P Horne, H Pyrgos, A Allan, P MacArthur, D Rae, B Alainu’uese, S Cummings, R Harley, C Fusaro, R Wilson (capt)
Replacements: F Brown, J Bhatti, A Nicol, T Swinson, M Fagerson, A Price, B Thomson, N Matawalu
Benetton Rugby: J Hayward, A Esposito, T Benvenuti, A Sgarbi, L Sperandio, M Banks, T Tebaldi, M Barbini, A Steyn, S Negri, D Budd (capt), M Fuser, S Ferrari, L Bigi, C Traore.
Replacements: F Zani, A De Marchi, T Pasquali, F Ruzza, M Lazzaroni, R Barbieri, G Bronzini, I McKinley
Referee: Dan Jones (WRU)
This one’s not on TV but there may be radio coverage.