URC: Glasgow v Munster: Warriors boosted by the return of Sione Vailanu and Kyle Steyn
03/20/2025 08:14 AM
SIONE VAILANU will make his first Glasgow Warriors appearance since suffering a knee injury in December 2023 when he lines-up at openside flanker in tomorrow [Friday] night’s URC round 13 clash against Munster at Scotstoun Stadium. The 30-year-old Tongan powerhouse became a firm fans’ favourite as a bulldozing back-rower during his first season and a half at the club before his lengthy lay-off.
Club captain Kyle Steyn also returns on the wing having been out since the start of the calendar year with a knee injury.
Rory Sutherland Zander Fagerson, Rory Darge, Jack Dempsey, Jamie Dobie and Tom Jordan are all rested for this match after their exploits for Scotland in the Six Nations, while Huw Jones is listed as unavailable due to head and ankle injuries.
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Elsewhere, Patrick Schickerling switches from loose-head to tight-head, lining up in a front-row which also features Jamie Bhatti and Johnny Matthews in the front-row. Jare Oguntibeju and Alex Samuel continue in the second-row. George Horne returns at scrum-half linking up with Adam Hastings, who switches to stand-off having played full-back in his first game back from a lengthy lay-off with a facial injury when Warriors lost at home three weeks ago. Scotland squad member Stafford McDowall returns to partner Ollie Smith in midfield, and Kyle Rowe takes over at full-bac
Gregor Brown and Matt Fagerson – who were both involved in Scotland’s Six Nations campaign – have both been selected on the bench.
"We're looking forward to be back in action this weekend, as we kick off a run of three home matches in front of the Warrior Nation,” said Glasgow head coach Franco Smith.
"We know that the rivalry with Munster is known to everyone, but we're concentrating on reintegrating everyone back into our environment after the Six Nations to help grow our continuity for the rest of the season.
"We're also pleased to welcome Sione and Kyle back to the lineup after their respective injuries; both men have worked hard in their rehabilitation with our medical and S&C teams, and are raring to go tomorrow night."
Glasgow Warriors (versus Munster at Scotstoun Stadium on Friday @ 7.35pm – live on Premier Sports): K Rowe; S Cancelliere, O Smith, S McDowall, K Steyn ©; A Hastings, G Horne; J Matthews, J Bhatti, P Schickerling, J Oguntibeju, A Samuel, E Ferrie, S Vialanu, J Mann. Subs: G Stewart, N McBeth, S Talakai, J du Preez, G Brown, M Fagerson, B Afshar, D Weir.
Unavailable for selection: Scott Cummings (arm), Gregor Hiddleston (ankle), Huw Jones (head/ankle), Josh McKay (ankle), Sione Tuipulotu (pectoral), Henco Venter (hand), Murphy Walker (neck), Max Williamson (hand).
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