Huw Jones rescues injury-hit Glasgow with position switch for derby clash
Scotland centre Huw Jones will deputise on the wing for injury-hit Glasgow as they kick off their defence of the 1872 Cup in Friday’s first leg at home to Edinburgh.
The 30-year-old moves from his usual position to wear the number 14 jersey in the absence of regular back-three members Ollie Smith, Kyle Steyn and Sebastian Cancelliere.
Stafford McDowall and Sione Tuipulotu will be the centre pairing, with a half-back partnership of George Horne and Ross Thompson.
Second-placed Glasgow could go top of the United Rugby Championship, overnight at least, if they follow up last weekend’s Champions Cup win away to Bayonne with another victory.
“We have prepared well all week following our return from Bayonne, and every player in the squad put their hand up to strongly compete for selection,” head coach Franco Smith told the Warriors’ official website.
“This group continues to drive each other forward and demand the best from each other, with everyone keen to end this block of fixtures on a high over the next two weeks.
“We know that Scotstoun has been sold out for weeks in advance of this match. It will be a special atmosphere tomorrow night.”
Glasgow’s starting pack for the inter-city derby contains six forwards who were at the recent World Cup with Scotland: George Turner, Jamie Bhatti, Zander Fagerson, Richie Gray, Scott Cummings and Rory Darge.
In addition to Smith, Steyn and Cancelliere; Jack Dempsey, Jamie Dobie, Matt Fagerson and Murphy Walker are among the other key Warriors players missing through injury.
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I’m hoping that the Reds can win their last 4 games with a couple of try bonus points. The pessimist in me wouldn't be surprised if the Drua and the Tahs knock the Reds over. The Reds may end up ruing the fact they were distinctly 2nd best against the Force and just so clunky against Moana Pasifica. The Brumbies should win all their remaining games with some bonus points giving them at least a top 2 finish as the leading Kiwi sides will take points off each other. How the Brumbies handle the fact that they will be expected to beat the Crusaders will fascinate me. You’d probably have to go back to 2001 for the last time the Brumbies would go into a game against the Crusaders nearly odds on to win.
Go to commentsFree to air is the key to fan expansion. I attended last weeks game at Suncorp (Reds v Blues) and the total cost is prohibitive to most people that wish to attend. Two tickets $130, parking (event day gouging) $75, road tolls $20, dinner beforehand $130, plus some petrol and a beer inside the stadium and a single game starts to cost $300-400. Who can afford that week in week out, I’d love to go more but could only afford this one game to see the Blues, I’d have loved to have seen more NZ teams here but I’d need to stop eating or sell a kidney.
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