Despite absences to other international squads including the USA and Canada, Dave Rennie is able to call upon a number of returnees from Scotland camp including Ali Price, Tommy Seymour and Pete Horne while he also welcomes back Tim Swinson from injury. Niko Matawalu is set for his 100th Glasgow appearance.
Horne will play at 10 with academy prospect Stafford McDowall looking to boost his chances of a pro contract while the big guns are away.
All in all it is quite a new look pack but there is experience dotted about with Rob Harley – unlucky not to add to his caps in the autumn given recent form – at the beating heart of it.
The backline should be able to deliver the Rennie gameplan in front of the Scotstoun faithful if the pack can get them moving.
Oh, and Cardiff have a player called Liam Belcher. Chuckles.
Glasgow Warriors: Ruaridh Jackson, Tommy Seymour, Nick Grigg, Stafford McDowall, Nikola Matawalu, Pete Horne, Ali Price; Jamie Bhatti, George Turner, D’arcy Rae, Rob Harley, Kiran McDonald Seran, Adam Ashe, Callum Gibbins, Matt Fagerson.
Replacements: Grant Stewart, Kevin Bryce, Petrus du Plessis, Tim Swinson, Matt Smith, Nick Frisby, Brandon Thomson, Rory Hughes.
Cardiff Blues: Tom Williams, Aled Summerhill, Garyn Smith, Willis Halaholo, Jason Harries, Jarrod Evans, Lloyd Williams, Brad Thyer, Kristian Dacey, Keiron Assiratti, George Earle, Seb Davies, Josh Turnbull, Olly Robinson, Nick Williams.
Replacements: Liam Belcher, Rhys Carre, Scott Andrews, James Down, Sion Bennett, Lewis Jones, Steve Shingler, Harri Millard.
Referee: John Lacey (IRFU)
Scotstoun, Friday 23rd, 7.35pm
15 Responses
Kevin Bryce at 17! Against a strong Cardiff side this could be disastrous if Bhatti gets injured. I thought he cross trained unsuccessfully at tighthead, but reverted to hooker? I would have thought that playing someone who knows how to prop even if it’s on the wrong side would be preferential to someone who shown little form in his limited game time.
Also, where are the likes of Masaga and Tagive? Maybe some of their salary could have gone to keep Hoggy or Shug rather than have players picking up a wage and getting nothing in return.
Decent team considering a international weekend hopefully get a bonus point win.
Is “solid patchwork team” an oxymoron?
Rumours of Alex Dunbar in talks with Saracens.
Fantastic game from Glasgow, only disappointment was Tim Swinson returning and Ali Price butchering 2 of the easiest tries ever!
Niko deserved MoM just lights up Scotstoun and brings joy to every fan whenever he touches the ball.
On another note; that was some of the best attacking play/skill set i have ever seen in that first half from Glasgow.
Glad Rennie has signed on, he is starting to make even the least talented of that squad exceptional.
Why was Swinson returning a disappointment or do you mean his performance? Considering his lay off I thought he was fine…
Bhatti went well, would love to see him back on top form as he could be first choice at loosehead come the 6N.
A scrum half who stands behind the ruck waving his arms in the air is not doing his job. Price could be really good if he combines composure with concentration.
Great win, but is it concerning that we left nearly as many tries out there as we scored? Some wonderful play tonight, switched off for a bit but finished strong. Price needs to back himself more – he could have finished both those tries. Hope Hughes’ injury isn’t too bad – he seems to care so much and try so hard. Great pickup for his try, too. Good to see Swinno back.
Niko is joyous to watch. Glasgow played some wonderful rugby in the 1st half & (as TeamCam says) could/should have had at least 2 more. Looks to me like Ali Price needs a couple of sessions with a Sports Psychologist, twice he inexplicably failed to score when in very good positions.
I assume everyone knows about the way Glasgow strive to play, then i always find its fascinating that for the 1st half Cardiff were the perfect Washington Generals to the Glasgow Globetrotters. They tightened up in the 2nd half but by then the game was gone. Grigg had a great game in attack, less so in defence. McDowell looked good, but it was Nikos night..
Apart from 2 butchered tries thought price had a good game. Good decision making to go from the 22 twice, kicking was excellent especially for the 5th try and lovely weighted pass for Nikos try. The arm waving is a annoying though something he’s maybe picked up from laidlaw. Thought grigg was immense with nice showings from Jackson and Stafford McDowell. Just need to be more urgent at the breakdown and Glasgow would be really hard to beat
Jackson was a lot better last night, wasn’t he? One bit of befuddlement aside he looked more like last season’s vintage.
Grigg missed 2 big tackles, Big Al K spotted he broke the line & left a hole & later on simply missed one. Offensively he was excellent mind… Price was good but nowhere near his best.
loved the intensity in the first half. Clinical, ruthless and fast. It reminded me of the all blacks. I would love to see Scotland with that intensity today. Mon the blues.
Great first half. Foot off the gas a bit in the second, perhaps understandably. Really missed Hugh Dan calling Nikooooo Matawaluuuuuuu home for his tries.
Couple of other points. Nick Williams may be a bit of a head hunter, but what an effective player he still is. His timing over the ball at the tackle was just excellent.
And someone on the Glasgow medical staff wasn’t paying attention. Hughes was clearly carrying his shoulder long before he was taken off, obvious in the second Cardiff try, and even having to contort himself when scoring his own try.
Think Stafford McDowell could be very good with another year under Rennie. All the backs are in good form and great to watch even if the superstars are with Scotland. I think they’ll still be in good shape with Hogg and maybe Jones and Dunbar off. Niko alone is worth the entry fee.