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Scotland star makes injury comeback for last-16 clash with Harlequins
By PA
Sione Tuipulotu will return from injury to make his first Glasgow appearance since January in Friday night’s Investec Champions Cup last-16 clash with Harlequins at Twickenham Stoop.
The 27-year-old centre has been sidelined since sustaining medial collateral ligament damage in Scotland’s Calcutta Cup win over England on February 24.
After sitting out the national team’s two closing Six Nations matches against Italy and Ireland, as well as his club’s United Rugby Championship victories over Cardiff and Scarlets last month, Tuipulotu has been declared fit to start for Warriors as they bid to reach a third quarter-final in Europe’s premier club competition.
“We are pleased to welcome Sione back into the starting line-up and his return is testament to the hard work and dedication of both Sione and our medical and S&C teams,” head coach Franco Smith told the Glasgow website.
Tuipulotu’s return goes some way to offsetting the absence of fellow Scotland centre Huw Jones, who is still out with a hand injury sustained against Ireland three weeks ago.
Jamie Bhatti, Sebastian Cancelliere, Richie Gray, JP du Preez, Ollie Smith, George Turner and Sione Vailanu are among the other key players Warriors are missing through injury.
Glasgow are still able to field a starting XV containing 11 Scotland internationals, with Johnny Matthews, Matt Fagerson, Jack Dempsey and Kyle Steyn all back in after being rested for last weekend’s 45-3 win at Parc y Scarlets.
“Training this week has been competitive, with everyone looking to put their hand up for selection,” added Smith.
“We look forward to seeing and hearing our travelling supporters in the stands tomorrow night, as they continue to join us on our European journey.”
GLASGOW WARRIORS:
1 Nathan McBeth
2 Johnny Matthews
3 Zander Fagerson
4 Max Williamson
5 Scott Cummings
6 Matt Fagerson
7 Rory Darge
8 Jack Dempsey
9 George Horne
10 Tom Jordan
11 Kyle Rowe
12 Sione Tuipulotu
13 Stafford McDowall
14 Kyle Steyn (C)
15 Josh McKay
REPLACEMENTS:
16 Gregor Hiddleston
17 Oli Kebble
18 Lucio Sordoni
19 Sintu Manjezi
20 Ally Miller
21 Henco Venter
22 Jamie Dobie
23 Duncan Weir
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Latest Comments
Trump is most definitely random.
In this context though we are talking about the tone of recent event’s on this websites articles, which came well before Trump was made a fool and retaliated. Surely you read the part were I said it’s unfortunate given that they’re trying to find new sponsorship right now?
Well year I couldn’t comment on that, haven’t watched league up their in yonks, but I’ll say the Prem sides I’ve seen in CC certainly match you’re description of them. Pro rugby here only had the summer window, so I’d imagine that helps a lot in terms of scoring though, as do South Africa’s hard grounds? The rugby is the rugby anyway, I was more interested in the broadcast quality perspective. France’s is unique right? Prem on BT used to have some pretty dour sideline analysis, but that was half due the look, being two guys standing on the side of the pitch at night in your winter talking about the game. SRP does that now but is full on ott.
Go to commentsRight. But are they actually doing anything to ever base themselves in the islands with a mostly Pi born roster?
Or are they just content to be a 6th NZ team, filling their squad with Kiwis and Aussies (and an Englishman), spreading the talent even thinner than it already is, and make excuses every season why it’s not possible to play in the islands, let alone be based there? No, because most of their squad would rather stay home than do that.
If the Drua can manage all these things, why can’t this ‘island’ side?
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