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Glasgow Warriors pair out for the rest of the season
By Online Editors
Glasgow Warriors have confirmed that they have lost two players for the rest of the season in a brutal double whammy.
A statement this morning reads: "Matt Smith and DTH van der Merwe will both miss the rest of the season with shoulder injuries.
"Winger van der Merwe has successfully undergone surgery and has begun his rehabilitation while flanker Smith will be operated on later this month."
It is a blow for Glasgow, but potentially a worrying concern for Canada, for whom DTH van der Merwe has been a standout performer for over the years.
Meanwhile, Gregor Townsend has selected 12 Glasgow Warriors in his matchday squad as Scotland welcome Ireland to BT Murrayfield this Saturday.
Jonny Gray has returned from injury to start in the second-row and Ryan Wilson moves from number 8 to the blind-side flank.
Sam Johnson impressed on his debut against Italy last weekend and keeps his place in midfield. He is once again joined by Huw Jones and Tommy Seymour and Stuart Hogg both keep their place in the back-three.
On the bench, D’Arcy Rae will make his international debut should he be called upon.
Fraser Brown has recovered from a knee injury to be involved and Jamie Bhatti makes it an all Warriors front-row among the replacements.
Rob Harley’s impressive domestic form has been rewarded with a spot on the bench, his first involvement with the national side since 2017.
Ali Price is once again the scrum-half replacement and Pete Horne has also recovered from injury to be named on the bench.
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Latest Comments
I think Italy were always targetting this match and intended to win. They needed to exorcise the 2023 RWC. I think they could have done with a bit more help from other 6Ns particularly from Ireland to knock more holes in NZ and their confidence.
Mentioned before the Italy Argentina match was a virus that ripped through the Italy camp early that week. In general play Italy were competitive albeit with a high error count and crucial missed tackles.
Ive said it before the era of NZ turning up unprepared for all comers and triumphing is definitively over. If a Tier1 team target NZ and NZ do not prepare accordingly they are in with a major chance of losing. It used to occur the odd time in RWCs against France, now it can occur v any Tier1. The competition has improved. NZ can still be at the top but their talents must be deployed sufficiently into dismantling teams as with their attack then allowed to exploit.
They dismantled Ireland pretty well in Dublin which went largely unnoticed. That allowed them scoreboard advantage and attacking opportunities of which one was enough.
That Italian team beat Wales and significantly Scotland last year. They used the loss to NZ in the most positive way possible. No doubt NZ prepared but I would assume it was similar to versus Argentina: 3/4 arsed at best. These test matches are rare and this was another chance to practice dismantling a determined and prepared opponent which was lost. If Italy had scored a 7 pointer at 17-6....an Italian win was on.
Go to commentsGB = England, Scotland, Wales. UK = England, Wales, Scotland, NI
Nothing to stew son.
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