Young Glasgow Warriors prop Jon Welsh will make his pro debut in Swansea this weekend having been handed a dream start for Sunday’s Magners League clash against the Ospreys at the Liberty Stadium (ko 2.35pm).
On hearing the news, he said: “I’m immensely proud to get my first start for Glasgow. I’m a Glasgow boy so it’s a dream come true to be starting this weekend’s game for my professional team.

“It’s been a tough year of training and everyone at the club has been really supportive. I’m really looking forward to the weekend and playing against an established side like the Ospreys with four British Lions in their squad.”

Warriors head coach Sean Lineen said: “This is what happens when a player displays outstanding dedication, attitude and application at training.

“This will be a real test for him against the hair-bear bunch (Adam and Duncan Jones). The Liberty Stadium will be an intimidating arena but I think he’s up to it. We’ve potentially got a real talent here in Jon Welsh.”

Jon is a product of Whitecraigs RFC, who scooped this month’s SHE Club of the Month Award, and latterly GHA before plying his trade this season with West Of Scotland. He signed for the Warriors in summer 2008 following impressive performances for the Scotland Club International side.

With an unchanged backline from the one that faced Leinster at the RDS last weekend, there are five changes in the pack, one positional.

Welsh takes the place of Kevin Tkachuk whilst Dougie Hall steps aside for Eric Milligan who prepares to retire from professional rugby from the front-line.

Dan Turner is preferred to Tim Barker alongside captain Alastair Kellock in the second row whilst Opeta Palepoi is given the nod at blindside flanker.

Opeta's presence in the back-row sees Calum Forrester shift to openside as John Barclay is ruled out of the remainder of the 2008/09 campaign with a foot injury sustained during last weekend’s loss away to Leinster.

Glasgow Warriors

15 Bernardo Stortoni

14 Lome Fa'atau
13 Max Evans
12 Graeme Morrison
11 Thom Evans

10 Ruaridh Jackson
9 Mark McMillan

1 Jon Welsh
2 Eric Milligan
3 Moray Low
4 Dan Turner
5 Alastair Kellock CAPTAIN
6 Opeta Palepoi
7 Calum Forrester
8 Kelly Brown

Replacements

16 Pat MacArthur (Ayr)*
17 Justin Va'a
18 Tim Barker
19 James Eddie
20 Andrew Henderson
21 Colin Gregor
22 Hefin O'Hare

This article was posted on 8-May-2009, 10:50 by Hugh Barrow.