Glasgow team to face Northampton

Head coach Gregor Townsend told www.glasgowwarriors.org: “The start of the Heineken Cup is always a really exciting time in the calendar.

“This weekend we have the opportunity to achieve something we’ve never done before, beating a Premiership side in England, and although we know it will be massively tough, we travel with confidence in each other and how we want to play.

“Historically, we’ve not been fast starters in our pool, and getting results on the board early on is crucial to our firm ambition of qualifying for the knock-out stages. It’s going to take a very special effort from all 23 players to beat Northampton and establish early momentum in the tournament, but this group certainly has what it takes to achieve that.”

Gregor’s team for the clash shows three changes from the excellent away win over Cardiff Blues last Saturday. Stuart Hogg, who impressed off the bench having recovered from an ankle injury, lines up at full-back, while Ryan Grant comes in at loose-head prop and Tim Swinson starts in the second row.

Glasgow have gone for a 6/2 forward/back split on the bench, testament to the level of physicality they expect to encounter from the Saints.

Gregor explained: “We were very happy with our composure, decision-making and energy in the Cardiff game. Last Saturday was our best scrum performance of the season, but we know we’ll have to raise the bar again against Northampton and their impressive front-row.

"Our attacking shape was also very good, especially in the first half, but we need to be more accurate in certain facets in order that we fully exploit the potential of our backline.

“In terms of the bench, we’re very happy with the balance we have there. Niko Matawalu has a lot of experience playing on the wing as well as scrum-half, and looked really sharp when he came on against Cardiff.

“Peter Murchie, meanwhile, has been one of our most consistent players this season, and can slot in at either full-back or centre.”

The Warriors have arranged a screening of Sunday’s match against Northampton Saints at Waxy O’Connor’s on West George Street in Glasgow city centre.

Space will be reserved for Warriors supporters in the basement bar, with snacks served at half-time.

Glasgow Warriors

15 Stuart Hogg

14 Tommy Seymour
13 Alex Dunbar
12 Peter Horne
11 Sean Lamont

10 Ruaridh Jackson
9 Henry Pyrgos

1 Ryan Grant
2 Dougie Hall
3 Michael Cusack
4 Tim Swinson
5 Alastair Kellock (Captain)
6 Josh Strauss
7 John Barclay
8 Ryan Wilson

Substitutes

16 Finlay Gillies
17 Gordon Reid
18 Ofa Fainga'anuku
19 Tom Ryder
20 James Eddie
21 Chris Fusaro
22 Nikola Matawalu
23 Peter Murchie

Not considered for selection due to injury: Chris Cusiter (shoulder), Robert Harley (knee), Ed Kalman (back), Rory Lamont (leg), Moray Low (knee), Pat MacArthur (foot), Angus Macdonald (neck), Graeme Morrison (knee), DTH van der Merwe (hamstring), Jon Welsh (shoulder), Duncan Weir (knee).

This article was posted on 11-Oct-2012, 11:51 by Hugh Barrow.