Harley makes Warriors history

Feb 22 • General News, Guinness Pro14 • 1250 Views • Comments Off on Harley makes Warriors history

Rob Harley will become Glasgow Warriors’ most capped player against Munster this Friday, playing his 178th game for the club surpassing Graeme Morrison’s record.

The 27-year-old made his debut against Leinster at Firhill in 2010 and has been a first team regular for the Warriors ever since.

As well as his record-breaking Warriors tally, Harley has played 20 times for Scotland and he scored Glasgow’s first try in the Guinness PRO12 Final victory over Munster in 2015.

He captains Glasgow on his milestone match at Irish Independent Park this weekend, kick-off 7pm, live on Sky Sports Action.

Contrastingly, Oli Kebble makes his first start for the club. He is joined by James Malcolm and Siua Halanukonuka in the front-row.

Matt Smith and Matt Fagerson join Rob Harley in the back row and in front of them Scott Cummings and Kiran McDonald complete the pack.

In midfield Sam Johnson shifts to outside centre after an impressive return from injury against the Toyota Cheetahs last week, with Brandon Thomson coming in at inside centre.

Ratu Tagive returns to the starting XV with Lee Jones on the other wing and Ruaridh Jackson at full-back

. George Horne and Adam Hastings continue their half-back pairing.

On the bench Zander Fagerson returns from a foot injury to be involved in a Warriors squad for the first time in 2018.

Richie Vernon is named in a Glasgow squad for the first time this season, the experienced centre/back-row suffered an achilles injury last season and has played for Currie Chieftans in the BT Premiership recently on his return to fitness.

Glasgow Warriors Head Coach Dave Rennie said: “What Rob has achieved is phenomenal. My time with him has obviously been short but he’s an impressive character with a massive work ethic.

“He’s hugely respected within the group and it’ll be a lovely occasion for him leading the team out on Friday.

“It’s great having Zander back, he’ll come in via the bench and Richie Vernon is such a versatile player to bring on and has really impressed me with his competitiveness and physicality.

“Munster clearly have aspirations to top the pool and to do that they’ll likely need to beat us this weekend.

“We’re well aware of their strengths, they’re direct and tough and have an excellent kick-chase, so we’re going to have to be disciplined and not give them opportunities to choke us.

“We’re delighted for all our Scotland internationals this weekend, especially Nick Grigg and Tim Swinson. Nick has earned his call up and Tim has fought hard to get back from injury and both were outstanding for us last Friday.”

Glasgow Warriors team to play Munster in the Guinness PRO14, kick-off 7pm. Live on Sky Sports Action. You can also follow the action on Twitter @GlasgowWarriors. Glasgow Warriors appearances in brackets:

15. Ruaridh Jackson (132)

14. Lee Jones (72)

13. Sam Johnson (35)

12. Brandon Thomson (9)

11. Ratu Tagive (4)

10. Adam Hastings (6)

9. George Horne (16)

1. Oli Kebble (6)

2. James Malcolm (24)

3. Siua Halanukonuka (11)

4. Kiran McDonald (9)

5. Scott Cummings (32)

6. Rob Harley (177) CAPTAIN

7. Matt Smith (16)

8. Matt Fagerson (20)

Replacements:

16. Grant Stewart (4)

17. Alex Allan (69)

18. Zander Fagerson (62)

19. Lewis Wynne (18)

20. Chris Fusaro (136)

21. Henry Pyrgos (140)

22. Richie Vernon (97)

23. Niko Matawalu (90)

Not available due to injury: Adam Ashe (head), Fraser Brown (head), Alex Dunbar (thigh), Callum Gibbins (achilles), Pat MacArthur (shoulder), Leo Sarto (shoulder) and George Turner (knee).

Not available due to international commitments: Jamie Bhatti (Scotland), Jonny Gray (Scotland), Nick Grigg (Scotland), Stuart Hogg (Scotland), Peter Horne (Scotland), Huw Jones (Scotland) Ali Price (Scotland), Finn Russell (Scotland), Tommy Seymour (Scotland) Tim Swinson (Scotland) and Ryan Wilson (Scotland).