Stuart Hogg returns for Glasgow Warriors clash with Connacht

Glasgow Warriors have named their side to face Connacht in the final regular season match of the Guinness Pro12.

Stuart Hogg comes back into the side. Picture: Greg Macvean

Both sides have already qualified for the play-offs but the victors of Saturday’s clash will receive a home tie.

It’s a new back-three with Stuart Hogg returning at full-back in place of Glenn Bryce, Tommy Seymour coming in for Taqele Naiayravoro and Lee Jones replacing Sean Lamont.

Alex Dunbar moves from inside to outside centre and will form a midfield partnership with Peter Horne, who comes in for Mark Bennett.

Finn Russell replaces Duncan Weir at stand-off, with Ali Price starting at scrum-half and Grayson Hart named on the bench.

Gordon Reid, Fraser Brown and Sila Puafisi come into the front-row in place of Jerry Yanuyanutawa, Pat MacArthur and D’arcy Rae.

Following his hat-trick in the 70-10 win over Zebre last Friday, Leone Nakarawa continues in the second-row and captain Jonny Gary returns to the engine room, with Greg Peterson not involved this weekend.

Rob Harley keeps his place on the blind-side, with Ryan Wilson replacing Simone Favaro at open-side and Josh Strauss returning to the side in place of Adam Ashe at Number 8.

Glasgow Warriors head coach Gregor Townsend said: “We’re really looking forward to the game in Galway tomorrow afternoon.

“Connacht play an expansive style of rugby and have a good home record, so we’ll have to produce an eighty minute performance if we’re to secure a home play-off.

“The players have worked extremely hard over the last few weeks and we have genuine competition for places throughout the squad.

“We are aware of the importance of this fixture and will be doing all we can to come back from Ireland with a win.”

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