Fly-half Duncan Weir returns to the Glasgow Warriors starting line-up for the game against Scarlets at Parc Y Scarlets tomorrow night, after almost six months out through injury.
The 22-year-old, who broke his leg against the Ospreys at Scotstoun last April, is one of ten changes to the team which beat Zebre in Parma last Friday.
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Sean Maitland continues at full-back, while Niko Matawalu starts on the right wing in place of Tommy Seymour and Sean Lamont replaces Byron McGuigan on the opposite flank. Mark Bennett comes in at outside centre to partner Alex Dunbar, with Gabriel Ascarate dropping to the bench.
Weir forms a new half-back partnership with scrum-half Chris Cusiter, with Ruaridh Jackson and Henry Pyrgos not involved this weekend.
In the front row Ryan Grant comes in for Gordon Reid, Pat MacArthur replaces Dougie Hall at hooker and Moray Low starts ahead of Jon Welsh.
Captain Al Kellock will combine with Tim Swinson in the engine room, with Rob Harley moving from second-row back to blindside flanker.
Chris Fusaro starts at openside and Richie Vernon replaces the injured Josh Strauss at number eight.
The Warriors bench includes the club’s record try scorer DTH van der Merwe who is available again after illness, along with former Scotland under-20 number eight Adam Ashe.
Scarlets have won their last five matches against Scottish opponents and the Warriors only loss in their last eight encounters against Welsh opposition was to Scarlets in the equivalent fixture last season.
Glasgow Warriors head coach Gregor Townsend said: “We’ve had a good week of training and the players are full of determination going into the game tomorrow.
“Scarlets are a very strong side who are well coached under Simon Easterby. They have a good record against us and we’ll need to improve a number of aspects of our game if we’re to come away with a positive result.
“I’m delighted that Duncan (Weir) is able to re-join the squad after several months out of action. He has worked hard throughout his rehab and looked sharp in training, as well as during his recent games with Stirling County. “We were disappointed to lose both games against Scarlets last season, especially in Llanelli towards the end of the season and we’re looking for a much better performance this weekend.”
Glasgow Warriors team to play Scarlets, RaboDirect PRO12, Parc Y Scarlets, Saturday 5 October:
15. Sean Maitland
14. Niko Matawalu
13. Mark Bennett
12. Alex Dunbar
11. Sean Lamont
10. Duncan Weir
9. Chris Cusiter
1. Ryan Grant
2. Pat MacArthur
3. Moray Low
4. Tim Swinson
5. Al Kellock (Captain)
6. Robert Harley
7. Chris Fusaro
8. Richie Vernon
16. Fraser Brown
17. Jerry Yanuyanutawa
18. Jon Welsh
19. James Eddie
20. Adam Ashe
21. Scott Wight
22. Gabriel Ascarate
23. DTH van der Merwe
Not available due to injury: Mike Cusack (shoulder), Stuart Hogg (wrist), Peter Horne (knee), Peter Murchie (shoulder), Josh Strauss (head) and Ryan Wilson (shoulder).