FROM THE SCOTSMAN

Kinloch debut underlines Glasgow's commitment to youth



Published Date: 07 March 2009
By DAVID FERGUSON
GLASGOW'S determination to hold on to two of its most promising internationalists has been matched by their desire to develop the best of young Scottish talent with another being handed his debut in tonight's Magners League match against Ulster at Ravenhill.
Chris Kinloch, the 20-year-old winger developed by Fettes College and Edinburgh Accies, impressed Sean Lineen, the Glasgow head coach, sufficiently on trial in the summer – scoring in the pre-season games against Castres and Beziers – to win a profesADVERTISEMENT
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sional contract. He has had to bide his time in the background, learning the trade, but the youngster's attitude has served only to underline Lineen's belief that he has a future in the professional game.

Two more exciting prospects, Peter Jericevich, the Glasgow Hawks scrum-half, and West of Scotland full-back Peter Horne, could make it a hat-trick of debuts for the Warriors if they come off the bench.

The deal agreed this week by the Evans brothers to stay in Glasgow, which has successfully fended off lucrative offers to move elsewhere, is currently being tied up by the SRU, but the signing of Chris Cusiter for next season and the emergence of players like Kinloch, Jericevich, Horne and Ruaridh Jackson have also delighted Lineen.

He said: "It's fantastic for Scottish rugby (to keep the Evans brothers]. It's great to keep this talent north of the border, and to be able to attract players like Chris (Cusiter] back to Scotland.

"But we are also committed to bringing through our own talent; the good, young Scottish lads that have the desire, the ability and attitude to make it in what is a tough professional environment.

"Chris impressed us in France and showed he's a very good finisher. He's come on a lot being involved full-time in the professional environment and deserves this chance to prove himself at this level. The other guys are also getting their chance to step up and that's important for the future of Glasgow."

Kinloch will face Ireland cap Andrew Trimble, while Simon Danielli, the Scotland winger, plays on Ulster's left wing.

Kinloch commented: "I've been looking forward to earning my first start for a while now. I can't wait to get out there in a Glasgow jersey.

"The pre-season competition in France was a great opportunity for me to stake a claim for a professional contract, and now I've got to prove to the coaches and my team-mates that I can step up to the next level and compete in the Magners League."

Kinloch replaces Colin Shaw – currently with the Scotland team at the World Cup Sevens – in the only change to the back division that lost narrowly away to Cardiff two weeks ago. In the pack, Kevin Tkachuk is in for Justin Va'a at loose-head prop while Scotland hooker Fergus Thomson starts for the first time in almost two months against a formidable Ulster front row that includes Ireland hooker Rory Best, 35-year-old Ireland prop Justin Fitzpatrick, and Springbok prop BJ Botha.

With captain Alastair Kellock out through injury – the lock remains a doubt for Scotland's Six Nations match with Ireland – Opeta Palepoi steps into the second row and Dan Parks takes the captain's armband. Back-row Calum Forrester swaps places with Stevie Swindall and makes his third start for Glasgow.

Lineen is keen to develop Jackson as a stand-off, but has picked him at inside centre again to ensure the backs have the experience of Parks to guide them.

Matt Williams, the Ulster coach, has demanded improvement from his side after successive defeats to Edinburgh and Newport Gwent Dragons. He said: "Individuals in the team have to take responsibility.

"I was very unhappy with our last performance; we cannot talk our way out of it, or make excuses. We need a performance against Glasgow, and nothing but 100 per cent will do. Our focus is to take back the points we lost against Dragons, and show what we are capable of."

Ulster (v Glasgow in the Magners League at Ravenhill, 7.30pm): C Schifcofske; A Trimble, D Cave, I Whitten, S Danielli; I Humphreys, I Boss; J Fitzpatrick, R Best (capt), B Botha, R Caldwell, E O'Donoghue, M McCullough, D Pollock, C Henry. Substitutes: N Brady, T Court, C Del Fava, K Dawson, C Willis, N O'Connor, M McCrea.

Glasgow: B Stortoni; H O'Hare, JM Nunez Piossek, R Jackson, C Kinloch; D Parks (capt), M McMillan; K Tkachuk, F Thomson, M Low, D Turner, O Palepoi, C Forrester, J Beattie, K Brown. Substitutes: E Milligan, E Kalman, T Barker, S Swindall, R Gray, P Jericevich, P Horne.

This article was originally posted on 7-Mar-2009, 08:33 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 7-Mar-2009, 12:46.