Rennie backs Ratu to shine in Warriors return
AMarch. Head coach Dave Rennie said: “Ratu has worked hard on his rehab and has played a bit of club footy the past few weeks. He’s a hell of an athlete and we’re excited to see how he goes.” Ruaridh Jackson, Lee Jones, Nick Grigg, Adam Hastings and captain Rob Harley will all start i n Newport after being released from Scotland duty while Henry Pyrgos and D’Arcy Rae will be on the bench.
Rennie said: “We gave the boys 10 days off after Exeter and they came back in enthused and looking sharp.
“The Dragons are a strong side, especially at home, and we’re going to have to play well across the board.”
Meanwhile, Edinburgh boss Richard Cockerill insists he is not fussed about where his side are playing their rugby, so long as they lay down some roots soon.
Speaking after news leaked that the Scottish Rugby Union are likely to launch a feasibility study into moving the club’s home games to the back pitches at BT Murrayfield, installing temporary stands to house between 6000-7000 spectators, Cockerill said: “For me, we just need a permanent home we can make our own and be viable to play at.
“The detail around what we are going to do is not for me to discuss; we will concentrate on getting the best team we can on the field and playing as well as we can.”
With Leinster missing 13 to the Ireland team – Edinburgh have six with Scotland – tonight is a good chance to steal a march on their conference rivals. The boot is on the other foot at Newport where Glasgow Warriors, with nine on Scotland duty, are being targeted by the Dragons. Glasgow Warriors (v Newport Dragons): R Jackson; L Jones, N Grigg, B Thomson, R Tagive; A Hastings , G Horne; A Allan, J Malcolm, S Halanukonuka, R Harley (C), G Peterson, M Fagerson, C Fusaro, A Ashe. Replacements: G Stewart, O Kebble, D Rae, K McDonald, M Smith, H Pyrgos, P Kelly, N Matawalu.