Wallaby prop Sam Talakai to make Glasgow debut

Sam Talakai will make his Glasgow debut as they kick off their United Rugby Championship title defence away to Ulster on Saturday.

The 33-year-old prop – capped by Australia in 2022 – is the only summer signing in the starting XV, with Adam Hastings on the bench and Rory Sutherland missing out through injury.

Scotland tighthead Zander Fagerson is in line to make his 150th appearance for the club off the bench.

“We’re pleased to see Sam make his first appearance for us, and for Zander to reach the 150 mark,” head coach Franco Smith told the Glasgow website.

“Anyone that plays 150 matches for their club is someone who clearly is proud to represent their club, and is a top professional as well as a top person.”

Smith, who is without Scotland internationals Scott Cummings, Jack Dempsey and Huw Jones through injury, is braced for a tough opener at Kingspan Stadium.

“We are looking forward to taking to the field for the first time in 2024/25, with everyone driving each other forward and putting their hand up to be involved,” he said.

“Ulster will provide us with a stern test first up; they have recruited well ahead of the new season and will be defending a proud home record in front of a passionate crowd in Belfast.”

Attack coach Nigel Carolan believes the experience of last season will stand Warriors in good stead for the campaign ahead.

“It’s not that it hadn’t been there before, but I think they believe in the work that they’ve put in over the course of the year,” he said. “They believe in how we try and play the game and it’s certainly paid dividends.

“Having that belief, hopefully it brings some consistency to our performances and shows that we’re on the right road.

“Our goal this year is to do the best that we can, to put ourselves in the frame, first of all, to be in the play-offs because once you’re in there the goalposts certainly change. Our first goal is to make the play-offs, and the second thing is to try and get to the knockout stages of the Champions Cup.

“Now we have the experience of knockout rugby, so if we can go at least another stage further in the Champions Cup and if we can repeat what we did in the URC, that would certainly show signs of more progress.”