Townsend expectstough Ospreystest

THERE’S NO rest for the Scotland men in the Glasgow Warriors squad as Gregor Townsend’s side zero in on a Rabodirect PRO12 play-off place in their “biggest game of the season” tonight at Scotstoun against rivals Ospreys.

Duncan Weir and Chris Cusiter stay at half-back, A lex Dunbar and Tommy Seymour in the backs while Ryan Wilson returns to the squad as the Warriors, four points behind the former champions with two games in hand, seek to leapfrog the Welshmen into the fourth play-off place.

Townsend does find a place at centre for Finn Russell, the 21-year-old who impressed whenWeir was away with Scotland at the Six Nations, and makes two other changes from the team that defeated Llanelli last Saturday.

A s well as Russell replacing Richie Vernon, Townsend brings in Pat MacA rthur for Dougie Hall at hooker while Fijian Leone Nakarawa replaces the injured Tim Swinson in the second-row.

“This is our biggest game of the season so far with valuable league points up for grabs,” said the coach.

“It was an important win for us last weekend because Scarlets were one place below us in the league and tomorrow we play the team that are one place above us, so this is a crucial game.

“Ospreys are a very physical side with a number of good playmakers in their backs so we’ll have to be at our best defensively. Like any game against a top side, we’ll have to seize any opportunity that comes our way.

“We are well aware of the huge challenge we face tomorrow night and we’re looking forward to playing in front of a big crowd at Scotstoun and the Glasgow support will have a key role to play.”

Ospreys will have captainA lanWyn Jones and fellow Lion Justin Tipuric in their pack, but their third Lion A dam Jones is confined to the bench for the second week in a row.

Edinburgh, meanwhile, welcome back three of their Scotland internationalists for the Italian job at BenettonTreviso tomorrow.

The Rabodirect PRO12 returns of David Denton, Matt Scott and A lasdair Dickinson are three of four changes to the team defeated 9-3 by Ulster on the last game on the old Murrayfield pitch last Friday, although the former Dundee HSFP prop was originally listed for that game.

Last week’s captain Mike Coman is ruled out with a neck strain, while Dougie Fife is out for the rest of the season with a hand injury.

Sam Beard and Wicus Blaauw drop out with Scott partnering new captain A ndries Strauss — preferred for the job over Ross Ford or Roddy Grant — in the centre but lining up outside.

“Matt has played 13 before,” said head coachA lan Solomons.

“He’s an explosive and powerful player and has all the attributes to do well there.

“I feel that he and A ndries will form a really effective patnership.”

The injury to Fife prompts a reshuffle of the backline with Jack Cuthbert going to the wing, Carl Bezuidenhout to full-back and Harry Leonard coming in at fly-half.

Denton slots into his accustomed No 8 position with Cornell Du Preez going to blindside flanker.

“A fter a week’s break following a rigorous 6 Nations, the Scotland players have come back fresh and full of vigour, and are really looking forward to the game,” continued Solomons.

“It’s great to have them back as they are excellent players and I expect them to make a big contribution on Saturday.”

Glasgow: Peter Murchie; Tommy Seymour, A lex Dunbar, Finn Russell, Niko Matawalu; Duncan Weir, Chris Cusiter (capt); Gordon Reid, Pat MacA rthur, Jon Welsh; Leone Nakarawa, Jonny Gray; Rob Harley, Chris Fusaro, Josh Strauss.

Replacements: Dougie Hall, Jerry Yanuyanutawa, Moray Low, Ryan Wilson, Tyrone Holmes, Ruaridh Jackson, Richie Vernon, Sean Maitland.

Edinburgh: Carl Bezuidenhout; Jack Cuthbert, Matt Scott, A ndries Strauss (capt), Tom Brown; Harry Leonard, Grayson Hart; A lasdair Dickinson, Ross Ford, Willem Nel; Grant Gilchrist, Izak van der Westhuizen; Cornell Du Preez, Roddy Grant, David Denton.

Replacements: James Hilterbrand, Wicus Blaauw, Ewan McQuillin, Ollie A tkins, Tomas Leonardi, Sean Kennedy, Sam Beard, Sam Hidalgo-Clyne.

Group. Picture: SNS Glasgow’s Finn Russell, who impressed while Duncan Weir was playing for Scotland in the Six Nations, is to face Ospreys at Scotstoun tonight.