BROWN COMEBACK A BOOST FOR TOWNSEND

GLASGOW Warriors hooker Fraser Brown has given Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend a major Six Nations boost by returning to full fitness. Brown will come off the bench for Glasgow today in his first game for three months after picking up a serious knee injury against Zebre last October. It was decided not to operate and to give his knee time to heal naturally, which is why it has taken the Glasgow co-captain so long to return to action. In his absence, George Turner has taken his place as first-choice hooker with Glasgow and Scotland. Edinburgh’s Stuart McInally and Ewan Ashman of Sale Sharks were the other hookers selected for Scotland in his absence for the four-match autumn Tests series. Warriors head coach Danny Wilson said he was delighted to have Brown back available and confirmed he would come on for Turner against Ospreys in the United Rugby Championship match at Scotstoun today. ‘Fraser is brilliant in our environment as even when he’s injured, he’s very big on keeping standards high,’ said the Glasgow head coach ahead of a match that will be played in front of no supporters. ‘If standards are slipping, he’s the first to pick up on it, on the pitch and out on the training ground. That’s the mark of what he is and what he demands. We’re really looking forward to getting him out on the field for the experience he brings, but not just that, also for the individual qualities he brings as a player as well as a captain. ‘We’ve got a rough plan for him to come on against Ospreys but a little bit will depend on how the game is going and how George Turner is going.’ The match against Ospreys will be Glasgow’s first since they beat Exeter Chiefs in the Heineken Champions Cup the week before Christmas. Their two league matches against

Edinburgh were postponed due to Covid following an outbreak in their ranks, but Wilson is sure today’s game will go ahead.

Glasgow Warriors v Ospreys at Scotstoun. Kick-off 5.15pm. Live on Premier Sports.

Glasgow: McKay; Steyn, Tuipulotu, Johnson, Forbes; Thompson, Price; Bhatti, Turner, Zander Fagerson, Cummings, McDonald, Wilson, Darge, Matt Fagerson.

Replacements: Brown, Kebble, Pieretto, Bean, Gordon, Dobie, Weir, Fifita.

Ospreys: Evans; Protheroe, Collins, Watkin, Luke Morgan; Anscombe, Williams; Smith, Taione, Francis, Davies, Beard, Griffiths, Jac Morgan, Morris.

Replacements: Lake, Gareth Thomas, Botha, Ashley, Cross, Aubrey, Josh Thomas, Hawkins.