Two of the Guinness PRO14’s big hitters go head to head at Scotstoun on Friday night when Glasgow Warriors take on Leinster. What’s at stake? Glasgow Warriors appear to be the front-runners for this season’s title having won seven games from seven so far. But Leinster come into this fixture having produced five wins from their last five in all competitions – including two derby wins against Munster and Ulster. Glasgow are looking for revenge after Leinster came to Scotstoun last month in the Champions Cup and emerged victorious. Team News (Glasgow Warriors) Callum Gibbins will captain Glasgow Warriors as Leinster come to Scotstoun for the second time in two weeks. He will lead a side that sees eleven players involved in Autumn International squads recalled. George Horne is rewarded for his man of the match performance against the Southern Kings, retaining the number nine shirt and will start alongside his brother Pete in a Glasgow jersey for the first time. Sam Johnson joins Nick Grigg in the centres while Lelia Masaga and Niko Matawalu start on the wings. Jamie Bhatti, George Turner and Scott Cummings could all be in line to make their Scotland debuts this Autumn, they all pack down in the tight five. Team News (Leinster) Leo Cullen hands a debut to inside centre Conor O’Brien, while Josh Murphy is also in line for a debut from the bench. Cullen is able to call upon four players named earlier this week in the Irish squad for the Guinness Series. Having impressed when introduced in the Kingspan Stadium last week, Jordan Larmour starts at full back against Glasgow with Adam Byrne and Dave Kearney on the right and left wing respectively. In the pack it’s a new look front row this week with Ed Byrne, Seán Cronin and Michael Bent selected, while in the second row Ross Molony captains the side and Scott Fardy starts in the back row for the first time in his Leinster career. Talking Points Both sides preparations this week have been hampered by international call-ups ahead of the autumn series. Some big names have returned to the matchday 23s but the likes of Jonathan Sexton and Finn Russell at fly half and Rob Kearney and Stuart Hogg at full back have been given the weekend off. That said, there is much to watch out for – not least Jordan Larmour who so impressed off the bench against Ulster last time out. Now at full back for Leinster, he and Adam Byrne will be box office while Glasgow have sibling half-back pairing of George and Peter Horne playing together for the first time. Key Battle – Rob Harley v Scott Fardy Former Wallaby Scott Fardy has been used exclusively in the second row for Leinster so far this season. But with Ireland call-ups in the back row, Fardy moves to blindside flanker this weekend – a position he made his own for Australia in their run to the 2015 Rugby World Cup final. This weekend he comes up against Rob Harley who was called up by Scotland last week for their autumn clashes. The 27-year-old has been in fine form this season for unbeaten Glasgow – including a last-gasp try in Bloemfontein to down the Cheetahs. Key stat Should they a produce victory against Leinster this week, then Glasgow Warriors will become only the third team in the Championship’s history to win their first eight games of the season. Did you know? Leinster have won their last five matches against Scottish opponents in all tournaments including two on visits to Scotland. Glasgow Warriors: Ruaridh Jackson, Lelia Masaga, Nick Grigg, Sam Johnson, Niko Matawalu, Peter Horne, George Horne, Jamie Bhatti, George Turner, D’Arcy Rae, Tim Swinson, Scott Cummings, Rob Harley, Callum Gibbins, Matt Fagerson Replacements: Pat MacArthur, Alex Allan, Adam Nicol, Lewis Wynne, Matt Smith, Hrny Pyrgos, Alex Dunbar, Leonardo Sarto Leinster: Jordan Larmour, Adam Byrne, Rory O’Loughlin, Conor O’Brien, Dave Kearney, Ross Byrne, Jamison Gibson-Park, Ed Byrne, Sean Cronin, Michael Bent, Ross Molony, Mick Kearney, Scott Fardy, Jordi Murphy, Max Deegan Replacements: Richardt Strauss, Peter Dooley, Andrew Porter, Josh Murphy, Dan Leavy, Nick McCarthy, Cathal Marsh, Hugo Keenan Match Officials: Referee – Stuart Berry (SARU), Assistant Referees – Sam Grove-White, Lloyd Linton (both SRU), TMO, Jim Yuille (SRU) At Scotstoun Stadium, Kick off 7:35PM, live on BBC ALBA Guinness PRO14 Final 2018 Ticket Information: Fans can save up to 20% on selected tickets, and prices start at just €30 for adults and €5 for children, and be booked via www.ticketmaster.ie
