Gregor Townsend names team to face Treviso

Gregor Townsend. Picture: Donald Macleod

The non-televised encounter will be the last before a two-week international break, with the Warriors currently sitting second in the Guinness PRO12.

Peter Murchie comes in at full-back for Stuart Hogg, while Lee Jones and DTH van der Merwe start on either wing, in place of Sean Maitland and Tommy Seymour.

Richie Vernon returns from injury and partners James Downey at centre, with the duo having played together for Currie in the BT Premiership last weekend.

Peter Horne comes in for Finn Russell at fly-half, while Fijian international Niko Matawalu replaces Henry Pyrgos at scrum-half.

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In the forwards Ryan Grant returns from a shoulder injury at loose-head, Pat MacArthur is retained at hooker and Rossouw de Klerk comes in for Euan Murray at tight-head.

Tom Ryder and Leone Nakarawa start in the second-row, with Ryan Wilson also returning from injury at number 8 and Josh Strauss moving to blind-side flanker in place of Rob Harley. Chris Fusaro continues at open-side.

Will Bordill could make his competitive debut for the club from the bench, while Zander Fagerson is in line to make his first appearance at Scotstoun after being named among the replacements. The 18-year-old prop came off the bench in the win against Benetton Treviso at the start of the month.

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Canadian international back Connor Braid has returned from a three-week loan period with London Scottish and could make his first competitive appearance for the club.

Glasgow Warriors head coach Gregor Townsend said: “Last weekend’s win over Montpellier was a big result for the club but our attention now returns to the Guinness PRO12. We will have to work very hard for a positive result tomorrow night as Benetton Treviso are a very physical side and are much improved since the start of the season. Having played them only a few weeks ago, we are all too aware of their strengths and the challenge they pose to us. We’ll have a number of players involved with Scotland, Fiji and Canada over the next few weeks, which means there are opportunities for others in our squad to stake a claim for a starting place in the team.”

Glasgow Warriors team to play Benetton Treviso, Guinness PRO12, Scotstoun Stadium, Friday 31 October (kick-off 7.35pm):

15. Peter Murchie

14. Lee Jones

13. Richie Vernon

12. James Downey

11. DTH van der Merwe

10. Peter Horne

9. Niko Matawalu

1. Ryan Grant

2. Pat MacArthur

3. Rossouw de Klerk

4. Tom Ryder

5. Leone Nakarawa

6. Josh Strauss (Captain)

7. Chris Fusaro

8. Ryan Wilson

Replacements:

16. Dougie Hall

17. Alex Allan

18. Zander Fagerson

19. James Eddie

20. Will Bordill

21. Murray McConnell

22. Connor Braid

23. Rory Hughes

Not available due to injury: (does not include players with Scotland): Kevin Bryce (knee), Mike Cusack (medical / illness) and Tone Holmes (neck / shoulder).#

• Tickets are still available for the Guinness PRO12 clash from www.glasgowwarriors.org and from the ticket office until 5pm today on 0844 800 3490. Adult and concession tickets will increase by £5 on Friday and tickets will be available at the stadium from 12pm on matchday (subject to availability).