Gibbins returns for visit of Cheetahs

Mar 22 • General News, Guinness Pro14 • 882 Views • Comments Off on Gibbins returns for visit of Cheetahs

Callum Gibbins will captain Glasgow Warriors against Toyota Cheetahs at Scotstoun Stadium tomorrow night.

Gibbins picked up an injury in Glasgow’s Heineken Champions Cup victory over Cardiff Blues in January and returns to the starting line-up as the Warriors gear up for the business end of the season.

Matt Fagerson and Rob Harley join their captain in the back-row and pack down behind an unchanged lock pairing of Tim Swinson and Scott Cummings.

Fraser Brown starts having come off the bench for Scotland in their thrilling 38-38 draw in the Calcutta Cup last weekend. Oli Kebble and Zander Fagerson are named either side of him.

Pete Horne starts at fly-half with Nick Frisby his half-back partner. In midfield, Stafford McDowall and Kyle Steyn combine as they did in Glasgow’s victory over Zebre at the start of the month.

Club centurions Ruaridh Jackson and Niko Matawalu are joined by Rory Hughes in the back-three.

Adam Hastings is named on the bench, the 22-year-old also came on as a replacement at Twickenham on Super Saturday.

Glasgow Warriors Head Coach Dave Rennie said: “We’re rapt with the results we’ve picked up over the Six Nations.

“We got 19 points out of a possible 20, which is the best record across the PRO14 and are really pleased with the depth we’re starting to build throughout the squad.

“A lot is made of Cheetah’s ability in attack and we know how lethal they are off turnover pill, so our handling accuracy is going to have to be paramount, but they’ve got lots of other strings to their bow.

“They have a massive, athletic pack so our physicality is going to have to be at its best to deal with that aspect of their game too.”

Glasgow Warriors team to play Toyota Cheetahs in the Guinness PRO14, Scotstoun Stadium, Saturday 23 March, kick-off 7.45pm, live on Premier Sports 1.
You can follow the game on Twitter @GlasgowWarriors.

Glasgow Warriors appearances in brackets:

1. Oli Kebble (27)
2. Fraser Brown (83)
3. Zander Fagerson (74)
4. Tim Swinson (125)
5. Scott Cummings (52)
6. Rob Harley (205)
7. Callum Gibbins (C) (30)
8. Matt Fagerson (41)

9. Nick Frisby (12)
10. Pete Horne (152)
11. Rory Hughes (43)
12. Stafford McDowall (11)
13. Kyle Steyn (3)
14. Niko Matawalu (110)
15. Ruaridh Jackson (150)

Replacements

16. Grant Stewart (19)
17. Jamie Bhatti (40)
18. Siua Halanukonuka (27)
19. Bruce Flockhart (2)
20. Chris Fusaro (160)
21. Adam Hastings (25)
22. Paddy Kelly (5)
23. Robbie Nairn (6)

Not available due to injury: Kevin Bryce (knee), Nick Grigg (ankle), Stuart Hogg (shoulder), George Horne (shoulder), Huw Jones (knee), Lee Jones (knee), Lelia Masaga (back), Kiran McDonald (back), Matt Smith (shoulder), George Turner (head), DTH van der Merwe (shoulder) and Ryan Wilson (knee).