Scott Wight out to put on show with new-look Glasgow side

The former Melrose stand-off expects to be switched at half-time with Duncan Weir in the match with Premiership side Newcastle as head coach Sean Lineen looks to find a balance between ensuring all of his squad have the opportunity to press their claims through tonight and the next friendly, away to Sale in a fortnight, and create a winning momentum.

Wight is also among a trio of recent club players put straight in after impressing in pre-season, alongside Nick Campbell starting at lock and former Ayr prop Gordon Reid in the front row, while Tommy Seymour and Troy Nathan from Ireland make their first appearance in a Glasgow jersey and Rory Pitman starts on the bench.

Wight said: "I was delighted to be told I'd be starting - it means I get the first chance to show what I can do and everyone is desperate to get playing.

"It's been a really tough pre-season, a lot of learning, lot of training, but this is what I have wanted for a long time and I've really enjoyed it. Now it's about taking that chance to show Sean and everybody else that I can play at this level."

Had things gone differently two years ago Wight could have been lining up on the other side tonight, but after a trial at Newcastle the Premiership club failed to follow through with the interest.

"I'm delighted I got my chance with Glasgow and I can't wait to get going," Wight added. "There are a few boys away with Scotland but we have good strength in depth and this is our opportunity to show we are worthy of a starting place and put a marker down, so that when the internationalists come back they have to really fight for their place.

"The weather hasn't been great this week, but we want to perform and win to get the supporters coming to Firhill, so we're ready for any conditions."

Lineen spoke highly of his summer signings and echoed Wight's sense of a buzz around the squad.

"We have changed things in how we want to play this season," he said, "and Scott has worked hard to grasp that and I've been really encouraged by how he has taken it on and the players as a whole have taken to it.

"It is a style we want to develop to get the most out of the talents we have and really cause teams problems. We played Ayr on Tuesday which was great but we have not done a lot of rugby, so the guys are champing at the bit.

"It's also the fittest Warriors team I've ever worked with - the conditioning coaches have done a brilliant job - so we need the games now.

"It's great to be talking about games again, with all the excitement building in World Cup year.I want our boys to work hard, play hard, but enjoy their rugby - the training, improving, being more consistent, and being a Warrior.

"The boys are buzzing at the moment so hopefully our supporters will feel that buzz coming into the stands when we take on Newcastle."

Mike Cusack (foot), Calum Forrester (knee) and Fergus Thomson (shoulder) are unavailable, but Scotland have released Ryan Grant and Rob Harley from the World Cup training squad to provide back-up.

The Falcons are coached by another former Scotland centre in Alan Tait and he has named a largely young side that includes young Scotland age-grade prop Grant Shiells from Kelso. Tait's own son Michael is out of action until later in the year after suffering a serious injury last season.

Glasgow have opened the doors to free entry for under-18s tonight, with adults 10 and students/senior citizens 5, in an effort to encourage a good crowd.

Edinburgh, meanwhile, have introduced reserved seating for season ticket holders this season at Murrayfield in response to feedback as both pro clubs look to improve the experience for supporters after criticism particularly in the capital during the last campaign.

Season ticket holders can also now sign two friends into the pre and post-match supporters' lounge at Murrayfield Wanderers.

Edinburgh kick off away to Sale next Friday night and then host Newcastle at Murrayfield on 26 August, but the real test begins tonight at Firhill as Wight and his team-mates take up the challenge of proving Glasgow can compete without their World Cup-bound stars.