WARRIORS HAIL GIFT OF THE GIB
Rennie: Callum is ideal man to take on role as captain while our stars are away
WARRIORS boss Dave Rennie reckons Callum Gibbins is the ideal man to keep Glasgow on course for Pro14 glory while his superstars are absent.
Gibbins has been handed the skipper’s armband for tonight’s showdown with Leinster at Scotstoun.
And coach Rennie has backed his captain to make sure the Warriors stay at the top of the pile during the autumn Test window.
Rennie said: “Cal has been spending the whole week helping to prepare the team – and making him captain was a simple decision.
“He is a good man who has earned a lot of respect from his club mates.
“He has only been here a few months but he has given a lot to the club already.”
Glasgow are out for quick revenge in the wake of last month’s Euro thumping by the Dubliners.
But Rennie insisted there will be no radical change of approach.
He said: “Tactically, we will be the same as the last time – we just need to do things better.
“We had 19 guys away on Scotland duty through the week but we have just got on with it.”
At the end of a tough week for the Horne clan, scrum half George links up with big brother Pete for the first time at Pro14 level.
George more than proved he is ready for a prolonged spell at this grade of the game when he won the man of the match award in last weekend’s bonus- point triumph over the Southern Kings.
The availability of Pete suggests he will not be in Scotland supremo Gregor Townsend’s starting plans for the autumn International opener against Samoa at Murrayfield next week.
On the bench, test centre Alex Dunbar returns from injury.
And if he emerges unscathed, he could leap into Townsend’s selection shake up for the other two clashes against world champion All Blacks and Australia.
Nick Grigg and Ruaridh Jackson are released by Toony to slot into the Glasgow starting side tonight.
Sam Johnson joins Grigg in the centre while Lelia Masaga and Niko Matawalu are on the wings.
Jamie Bhatti, George Turner and Scott Cummings could all be in line to make their Scotland debuts this month.
And they all pack down in the tight five with D’Arcy Rae and Tim Swinson.
Rob Harley joins captain Gibbins in the back-row while Matt Fagerson will steer the back of the scrum.
Henry Pyrgos and Leonardo Sarto are the other returning internationals and will be deployed as impact subs.
Leinster hand a debut in midfield to Conor O’Brien, while Josh Murphy is also in line for a first appearance from the bench.
Coach Leo Cullen made it clear his side’s Champions Cup triumph a fortnight ago will have no bearing on events at Scotstoun.
He said: “This will be a whole new ball game with different players. We were thrilled with the result at Scotstoun but we know how good Glasgow can be.”