Fagerson gets ready to clock up magical century for Warriors

Glasgow head coach Danny Wilson has hailed Zander Fagerson ahead of his 100th appearance for the rugby club.

The prop will reach his century of games during tonight’s Rainbow Cup clash with Edinburgh at Scotstoun.

“It’s a fantastic achievement for Zander to reach 100 Glasgow Warriors appearances at the age of just 25,” Wilson said. “He has worked extremely hard at his game to become a strong scrummager, but more than that he contributes massively around the park.

“It’s also great to welcome Scott Cummings and Thomas Gordon back into the starting team.”

Cummings is back in the second row after recovering from the fractured hand he suffered in Scotland’s Six Nations defeat by Ireland in March, while flanker Gordon returns after a shoulder problem.

Centre Stafford Mcdowall will make his first start since November while Ali Price and Ratu Tagive also return to the back division as Wilson makes five changes to the side that suffered a heavy defeat by Benetton two weeks ago.

Wilson said: “The derbies are exciting occasions and with a Scotland summer tour on the horizon there will be plenty of players with something to prove.

“It is an 1872 Cup decider and a derby. That is the motivation this weekend. If there was any drop in motivation the previous game, you would like to see it come back tenfold for a derby.”

Edinburgh head coach Richard Cockerill has brought a host of internationals back for the encounter, making nine changes to the youthful team that beat Zebre ahead of the 1872 Cup decider.

Scotland internationals Duhan van der Merwe, Mark Bennett, Henry Pyrgos, David Cherry, WP Nel, Grant Gilchrist and Jamie Ritchie come in along with No 8 Viliame Mata and prop Pierre Schoeman.

Luke Crosbie retains his place in the back row after his try-scoring captain’s display against Zebre.

Hooker Stuart Mcinally could make his first appearance since suffering a neck injury in January, after being named on the bench.

Blair Kinghorn drops out on compassionate grounds and Matt Currie misses out with a shoulder injury after scoring a try on his first start for the club.

Zander Fagerson.