Glasgow Warriors host Scarlets at the Scotstoun in a crunch clash in the race for the top four as the Guinness PRO12 returns. What’s at stake? This match is seen by many as a crucial clash in the race for the all-important fourth place in the Guinness PRO12. Glasgow currently have the upper hand and sit fourth with 41 points from their 13 games. Scarlets trail their Scottish counterparts by a solitary point, despite having won one more game this season. Team news (Glasgow Warriors) Glasgow welcome back Rory Hughes, Scott Cummings and Richie Vernon to the starting line-up after all three recovered from long-term injuries. Cummings and Vernon have both missed the first half of the season with shoulder injuries, while Hughes returns to the starting line-up following knee surgery in December. Nick Grigg and Sam Johnson are the centre partnership having both penned new contract with the Warriors this week. Scrum half Henry Pyrgos returns from international duty with Scotland to captain the side, with prop Alex Allan and blindside flanker Rob Harley also being recalled. Team news (Scarlets) Kiwi Johnny McNicholl returns to the side at full-back, alongside fellow back Hadleigh Parkes, who will skipper the side for the crucial clash. McNicholl is joined in the back three by DTH van der Merwe and Tom Williams. Tom Price and Lewis Rawlins combine for a new pairing in the second row, with Aaron Shingler, James Davies and Will Boyde in the back row. Aled Davies has been released by Wales to take his place on the bench. Talking points: Glasgow will no doubt have been boosted by the return of several key players ahead of schedule, as well as other committing their long-term futures to the club. However, both sides are weakened by the ongoing absentees on duty at the RBS 6 Nations, and the clash will be a test in squad depth of the sides. Key battle: This game is likely to be a tight and cagey affair, with much at stake and both team equally matched in terms of ability. Every point will count, and thus the kicking of fly-halves Rory Clegg and Jonathan Evans will be paramount to both sides as they look to steal a march on their opponents. Key stat: Both Henry Pyrgos and Rory Clegg are in the Guinness PRO12 top 20 kickers in terms of percentage of kicks landed. Pyrgos is 18th with 66.7% of successful attempts, with Clegg 20th on 62.3%. Scarlets’ only player in the top 20 is Rhys Patchell at seven, but he is absent on international duty. Glasgow Warriors: Peter Murchie; Lee Jones, Nick Grigg, Sam Johnson, Rory Hughes; Henry Pyrgos, Rory Clegg; Alex Allan, Pat MacArthur, D’Arcey Rae; Brian Alainu’uese, Scott Cummings; Rob Harley, Chris Fusaro; Adam Ashe. Replacements: James Malcolm, Jamie Bhatti, Sila Puafisi, Richie Vernon, Lewis Wynne, Grayson Hart, Hagen Schulte, Sean Lamont. Scarlets: Johnny McNicholl; Tom Williams, Gareth Owen, Hadleigh Parkes [c], DTH van der Merwe; Dan Jones, Jonathan Evans; Wyn Jones, Ryan Elias, Werner Kruger; Tom Price, Lewis Rawlins, Aaron Shingler, James Davies; Will Boyde Replacements: Emyr Phillips, Luke Garrett, Nicky Thomas, Tadhg Beirne, Joshua Macleod, Aled Davies, Aled Thomas, Steff Hughes Did you know? Glasgow Warriors only defeat in their last seven matches was 12-14 at home to Munster in the European Champions Cup on 14 January. Overall Guinness PRO12 head to head record: Played 27, Warriors won 14, Scarlets won 13. At Scotstoun, 7.35pm Live on Sky Sports Referee: George Clancy (IRFU, 87th competition game) Assistant Referees: Gary Conway (IRFU), Kevin White (SRU) Citing Commissioner: John Montgomery (SRU) TMO: Brian MacNeice (IRFU)
