Rennie urges second string to step up

Dave Rennie has told Glasgow’s second string he still expects a first-rate performance when they take on Ospreys tonight.

The Warriors coach has been denied the services of 13 of his Scotland stars as they prepare to face Wales in Cardiff this weekend.

But that does not mean the Scotstoun chief is willing to stand for a sub-standard display and he has urged his team of understudies to put on a show against their Guinness PRO14 rivals.

“We’re excited by the challenge this week,” said the Kiwi.

“What we know is that regardless of who pulls on the jersey, there’s an expectation to perform in it and we’ve named a strong squad that can go out there and deliver.

“Ospreys are right on our tails in the Conference and are playing really well. We’ll need to reach the same levels of physicality we have done in our last three games to get the performance we expect from a Glasgow Warriors side.”

Rennie will hand United States international Tevita Tameilau his first Warriors start at the Liberty Stadium.

However, there is bad news for Sam Johnson, as the knee injury he sustained at Thomond Park last weekend is expected to rule him out out for up to 12 weeks.

The centre was set to win his first Scotland honours after he was named in Townsend’s 40-man autumn Test squad, and Rennie said: “It’s tough for Sam.

“He’s just returned from injury so to injure his other knee is disappointing for him.

“He’s a determined man and has already began work on his rehab and we look forward to having him back fit.”

Dave Rennie: lost 13 players to Scotland squad.