Ruaridh Jackson, the 20-year-old Glasgow Warriors back, will start at stand-off for the first time in his professional career this weekend when Glasgow take on Bath in the Heineken Cup.
Ruaridh, who captained Scotland U20 last season, is excited about his call-up to replace a man he has admired for some time: “Dan Parks’ kicking is pretty special and I’m really enjoying being able to work alongside him and learn from him every day.

”He’s a pretty mentally strong guy; he never really lets things get to him too much. Another thing is his organisational skills. He’s a great communicator on the pitch and that’s something I’ve paid particular attention to. I’m really looking forward to my first big chance at ten, especially in the Heineken Cup.”

Warriors head coach Sean Lineen added: “Ruaridh’s been involved in just about all our games so far this season and I’ve been very impressed with his attitude. I’ve always rated him very highly. He has a great temperament and wants to be the best he can be.”

In addition to Ruaridh’s introduction at stand-off in place of DP, who is sidelined due to knee trouble, the Warriors have made four further changes (one positional).

Colin Gregor replaces Mark McMillan who is also ruled out with a knee injury. In the pack, Kevin Tkachuk and John Barclay return following international duty with Canada and Scotland respectively whilst flanker Kelly Brown moves from openside to the blindside.

Argentina’s all-time record points scorer, Jose Maria Nunez Piossek, is named on the bench from where is poised to make his Glasgow debut.

Glasgow Warriors team to play Bath in the Heineken Cup at The Rec on Sunday 7 December (kick-off 1.00pm)

15 Bernardo Stortoni

14 Lome Fa'atau
13 Max Evans
12 Andrew Henderson
11 Thom Evans

10 Ruaridh Jackson
9 Colin Gregor

1 Kevin Tkachuk
2 Dougie Hall
3 Ed Kalman
4 Tim Barker
5 Alastair Kellock CAPTAIN
6 Kelly Brown
7 John Barclay
8 Johnnie Beattie

Substitutes

16 Eric Milligan
17 Moray Low
18 Dan Turner
19 Richie Vernon
20 Sam Pinder
21 Hefin O'Hare
22 Jose Maria Nunez Piossek

Bath

15 Nick Abendanon

14 Michael Stephenson
13 Tom Cheeseman
12 Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu
11 Matt Banahan

10 Butch James
9 Michael Claassens

1 David Flatman
2 Pieter Dixon
3 Matt Stevens
4 Stuart Hooper
5 Danny Grewcock
6 Andy Beattie
7 Michael Lipman CAPTAIN
8 Daniel Browne

Substitutes

16 Lee Mears
17 Aaron Jarvis
18 Peter Short
19 Jonny Fa’amatuainu
20 Scott Bemand
21 Shaun Berne
22 Andrew Higgins

This article was posted on 5-Dec-2008, 15:55 by Hugh Barrow.