Glasgow Warriors set to be without two key backs for start of season

Huw Jones and Ollie Smith could both miss the start of the United Rugby Championship season following an injury update from Glasgow.
Ollie Smith could miss the start of the season for Glasgow Warriors.Ollie Smith could miss the start of the season for Glasgow Warriors.
Ollie Smith could miss the start of the season for Glasgow Warriors.

Jones is still recovering from the back injury he suffered in his final match for Harlequins and Warriors say the centre is targeting a second debut for the club “during the first block of fixtures”.

Full-back Smith, who made his Scotland debut in Argentina last month, is also managing a back injury and is expected to return “during the early rounds of the URC”.

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Ally Miller and Ross Thompson are expected to return during the early rounds of the season following back surgery while Argentinian prop Enrique Pieretto has been pencilled in for a return from shoulder surgery in late October.

Josh McKay (ankle), Duncan Weir (calf) and Alex Samuel (hand) have re-joined Glasgow’s training group ahead of the second block of pre-season with Gregor Brown close to being reintroduced following a groin injury.

Glasgow also confirmed that new head coach Franco Smith has arrived in Scotland after seeing out his notice period with the Italian Rugby Federation.

A full statement on the Glasgow website read: “After a week’s break, Glasgow Warriors have today returned to Scotstoun to kick-off block two of pre-season training ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.

“Head coach Franco Smith now joins the club on a full-time basis having concluded his notice period with the Italian Rugby Federation, joining assistant coaches Nigel Carolan, Pete Murchie, Pete Horne and Al Dickinson in overseeing training at Scotstoun.

"A total of 66 players, inclusive of the 2022/23 senior academy intake and players on short-term deals with the club, have reported to Scotstoun for the start of block two.

“The group also includes the majority of the club’s players who represented their respective countries over the course of the 2022 summer Test window, including 14 players who toured South America with Scotland.

"The club can also provide an injury update ahead of the second block of pre-season:

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“Josh McKay has re-joined the training group after successfully recovering from ankle surgery.

“Duncan Weir has also re-joined the training group, having recovered from a soft tissue injury to his calf earlier in pre-season.

“Alex Samuel has recovered from off-season hand surgery, and has re-joined the training group ahead for block two.

“Gregor Brown is nearing full recovery from the soft tissue injury to his groin, and is expected to return to full training early in block two.

“Huw Jones is continuing his recovery from the back injury sustained in Harlequins’ Premiership semi-final defeat at the end of the 2021/22 season, and is targeting a return to action during the first block of United Rugby Championship fixtures.

“Similarly, Ally Miller is continuing his recovery from off-season back surgery and is expected to return during the first few weeks of the URC season.

“Ross Thompson has undergone minor back surgery, performed by Mr Andrew Renwick at Ross Hall Hospital. The fly half is expected to return during the early rounds of the URC.

“Ollie Smith is currently managing a back injury, and is also expected to return during the early rounds of the URC.

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“Finally, Enrique Pieretto has returned to the care of the Glasgow Warriors medical team after undergoing surgery on a shoulder injury sustained while representing Argentina XV, with the tight-head expected to return towards the end of October.”

Glasgow begin their pre-season campaign against Worcester Warriors on Friday, September 2 in Inverness.