Fusaro to reach 150 in Munster

Oct 27 • General News, Guinness Pro14 • 951 Views • Comments Off on Fusaro to reach 150 in Munster

Chris Fusaro will play is 150th game for Glasgow Warriors when he comes off the bench at Thomond Park tomorrow evening.

The 29-year-old is in his ninth season with the Warriors and will become just the ninth player to reach that milestone in the club’s history.

Rob Harley, Graeme Morrison, Pat MacArthur, Al Kellock, Jonny Petrie, Dougie Hall, John Barclay and Moray Low are the only players to have played more games for Glasgow than Fusaro.

In the starting XV, five of the sixteen players named in Scotland’s 2018 Autumn International squad return, notably at half-back where brothers George and Pete Horne start beside each other.

Sam Johnson returns from St. Andrews to start at inside centre, while in the pack Rob Harley and Matt Fagerson are both included.

Nick Grigg partners Johnson in midfield and behind them Rory Hughes, DTH van der Merwe and Ruaridh Jackson make up the back-three.

Fosroc Scottish Rugby Academy Hooker Grant Stewart starts for the Warriors for this first time. Oli Kebble and D’Arcy Rae pack down either side of him.

Scott Cummings starts in the engine room alongside Harley and captain Callum Gibbins and Adam Ashe complete the pack.

Fusaro is one of six internationals on the bench. Kevin Bryce, Jamie Bhatti, Greg Peterson, Nick Frisby and Niko Matawalu will also look to bring their experience to the game when called upon.

Glasgow Warriors Head Coach Dave Rennie said: “Fuzzy (Chris Fusaro) embodies everything that’s great about this club, he’s a true Warrior. He’s competitive and hardworking as well as being a ferocious player on the park and we’re all rapt to see him deservedly reach this milestone.

“Last season we fronted up against Munster at home but we were out muscled when we travelled to Ireland for the reverse leg. That’s our challenge this weekend.

“They’re such a tough side as they’ve shown over the past couple of weeks in Europe against quality opposition.”

Glasgow Warriors team to play Munster in the Guinness PRO14 at Thomond Park, Saturday 27 October, kick off 5.15pm – live on Premier Sports 1.

You can follow the game on Twitter @GlasgowWarriors. Glasgow Warriors appearances in brackets:

1. Oli Kebble (16)
2. Grant Stewart (8)
3. D’Arcy Rae (47)
4. Rob Harley (191)
5. Scott Cummings (43)
6. Adam Ashe (57)
7. Callum Gibbins (22) (C)
8. Matt Fagerson (32)
9. George Horne (27)

10. Pete Horne (145)
11. Rory Hughes (36)
12. Sam Johnson (41)
13. Nick Grigg (46)
14. DTH van der Merwe (107)
15. Ruaridh Jackson (141)

Replacements

16. Kevin Bryce (13)
17. Jamie Bhatti (29)
18. Petrus du Plessis (2)
19. Greg Peterson (32)
20. Chris Fusaro (149)
21. Nick Frisby (3)
22. Brandon Thomson (11)
23. Niko Matawalu (97)

Players unavailable through injury: Zander Fagerson (ankle), Siua Halanukanuka (foot) Stuart Hogg (ankle), Lelia Masaga (back), Kiran McDonald (hand) Robbie Nairn (groin) Tim Swinson (lower limb) and George Turner (head).