United colours for Benetton
Toony urges Warriors fringe stars to seize chance in Italian job
GlAsgow warriors coach gregor Townsend has demanded his players carry on their impressive European form into the guinness Pro12.
The high-flying scotstoun men have lost just once on league duty this season while climbing to second in the table. But they have really kicked up a gear in the European Champions Cup, with victories over Bath and Montpellier putting them on course for their first ever quarter-final slot.
Now with Benetton Treviso visiting scotstoun tonight, Townsend is eager to keep that run going by doing the double over the Italians.
He said: “last weekend’s win over Montpellier was a big result, but our attention now returns to the guinness Pro12.
“we will have to work very hard for a positive result as Treviso are much improved since the start of the season.
“Having played them only a few weeks ago, we are all too aware of their strengths and the challenge they pose to us.”
glasgow will have their work cut out, however, with more than an entire team of players away on international duty.
Fraser Brown, Euan Murray, gordon Reid, Jonny gray, Tim swinson, Rob Harley, Adam Ashe, Henry Pyrgos, Finn Russell, Duncan weir, Mark Bennett, Alex Dunbar, sean lamont, sean Maitland, Tommy seymour and stuart Hogg are all part of the scotland squad preparing for the autumn Tests with Argentina, New Zealand and Tonga.
Fiji have also called up Niko Matawalu, Jerry Yanuyanutawa and leone Nakarawa for service over the next three weeks, while DTH van der Merwe and Connor Braid will report for action with Canada.
But Townsend said: “It means there are opportunities for others to stake a claim for a starting place in the team.”
Hogg’s absence means Peter Murchie starts at full-back, while lee Jones and van der Merwe start on the wings in place of Maitland and seymour. Richie Vernon returns from injury and partners James Downey at centre, while Peter Horne comes in for Russell at fly-half, with Matawalu replacing Pyrgos at scrum-half.
In the forwards, Ryan grant returns from a shoulder injury at loosehead, Pat MacArthur is retained at hooker and Rossouw de Klerk comes in for Murray at tighthead.
Tom Ryder and Nakarawa start in the second row, with Ryan wilson also returning from injury at number eight as Josh strauss moves to blindside flanker in place of Harley, with Chris Fusaro continuing at openside. news regarding the club’s future, and to meet with fans at events during the close season to offer the opportunity to learn more and discuss this further with us.”
one of those winter events is pencilled in for November 22 at Ibrox stadium when teams from glasgow, Edinburgh and Berwick will take part in a Question of sport-style quiz organised by fans’ group sTARs.
It could also prove to be one of the first chances for fans to gain an insight into plans for the 2015 British speedway season, with an update due from the promoters’ conference the previous week.