URC: Glasgow v Connacht: Ollie Smith returns for Warriors at outside-centre
01/24/2025 07:20 AM
OLLIE SMITH will make his first Glasgow Warriors appearance since rupturing the ligaments in his knee in December 2023 when Connacht visit Scotstoun on Sunday afternoon. He will line-up at outside-centre, a position he played regularly coming through the ranks before settling into the full-back role in senior rugby.
The 24-year-old initially returned to action back in November, playing for Scotland ‘A’ versus Chile, but has had to wait until now to force his way into the Warriors match-day squad, with head coach Franco Smith stressing that there is a big difference between ‘return to play’ and ‘return to perform’ after such a lengthy lay-off. Smith’s partner in midfield this weekend is former Scotland Under-20s captain Duncan Munn, who will be making only his third appearance at this level
Veteran stand-off Duncan Weir will captain the side for the first time in his long career, while No 8 Alex Mann is the only player released from Scotland’s Six Nations squad for this match. There are 10 players listed as injured and 12 have been retained by Scotland, meaning squad depth is stretched.
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With four second-rows and one back-row currently injured, plus four more back-rows being retained by Scotland this weekend, head coach Franco Smith‘s options in the back-five of the scrum are severely restricted – not for the first time this season – meaning he has selected four specialist hookers in his match-day 23. Johnny Matthews starts in the No 2 jersey, while Grant Stewart,Angus Fraser and Joe Roberts (in place of the injured Gregor Hiddleston) are on the bench.
Roberts, who was named in Scotland’s Under-20s Six Nations squad earlier this week, replacement back-row Macenzzie Duncan and replacement winger Kerr Johnston (who are all academy players) will make their debuts in this match if deployed off the bench.
"Connacht will pose a stern test this weekend, and have been performing very well in their European fixtures in the last couple of weeks, showing the quality they possess within their playing group,” said Smith.
"We have a great squad at Scotstoun, and Sunday presents an opportunity for some players that have earned their chance to perform at home.
"We're also pleased to welcome Ollie back into our lineup after over 13 months – he has worked diligently with our medical and physio teams, and we know that he is ready to pull on a Glasgow shirt once more."
Glasgow Warriors (versus Connacht at Scotstoun Stadium on Sunday @ 3.30pm live on Premier Sports): J McKay; S Cancelliere, O Smith, D Munn, F Cordero; D Weir ©, B Afshar; P Schickerling, J Matthews, F Richardson, E Ferrie, A Samuel, A Miller, H Venter, J Mann. Subs: G Stewart, N McBeth, S Talakai, M Duncan, J Roberts, A Fraser, S Kennedy, K Johnston.
Unavailable for selection: Scott Cummings (arm), Adam Hastings (face), Gregor Hiddleston (ankle) Jare Oguntibeju (knee), JP du Preez (knee), Kyle Steyn (knee), Sione Tuipulotu (pectoral), Sione Vailanu (knee), Murphy Walker (neck), Max Williamson (hand).
International duty: Gregor Brown, Rory Darge, Jack Dempsey, Jamie Dobie, Matt Fagerson, Zander Fagerson, George Horne, Huw Jones, Tom Jordan, Stafford McDowall, Kyle Rowe, Rory Sutherland
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