Zander Fagerson will play his first game in five months tomorrow, having recovered from a broken leg.
The tight-head prop was injured against the Cheetahs on Glasgow’s trip to South Africa in September and is named to start against Cardiff Blues following five months of rehabilitation.
George Turner also returns from injury to start, the hooker hasn’t played since picking up an ankle injury in Glasgow’s home game against Lyon in the Champions Cup in December. Alex Allan completes the front-row.
Scott Cummings will play his 50th game for the club behind them, Tim Swinson is his partner in the engine room.
Rob Harley captains the side from the blind-side flank and Thomas Gordon makes his first start wearing Number 7. Adam Ashe completes the pack, fresh from signing a new two-year contract with the club.
Ali Price and Pete Horne are the half-backs, both having been released to play by Scotland.
Scotland 7s winger Kyle Steyn will make his Warriors debut. The South African-born 25-year-old will join the club permanently next season.
Ruaridh Jackson starts at full-back and Rory Hughes complete the back-three. In midfield Stafford McDowall and Nick Grigg combine.
On the bench, Jamie Bhatti and Adam Hastings make it 11 players who have been involved with Scotland during the Guinness Six Nations.
Glasgow Warriors Head Coach Dave Rennie, said: “It’s great to have Zander back out there. He was playing some world class rugby before he got injured and has worked hard on his rehabilitation and is excited to be back.
“We’re energised by a short break and can’t wait to get back to action. We’re entering a key period in our season and have a really good side travelling down to Cardiff, where both teams know each other pretty well by now.
“Our depth is getting tested in a couple of positions but the Scotland players have slotted back in seamlessly and we’ve had a really good week of training.”
Glasgow Warriors team to play Cardiff Blues in the Guinness PRO14, Cardiff Arms Park, Saturday 16 February, kick-off 7.35pm – live on Premier Sports 1. You can follow the game on Twitter @GlasgowWarriors. Glasgow Warriors appearances in brackets:
1. Alex Allan (86)
2. George Turner (32)
3. Zander Fagerson (72)
4. Tim Swinson (122)
5. Scott Cummings (49)
6. Rob Harley (C) (202)
7. Thomas Gordon (1)
8. Adam Ashe (66)
9. Ali Price (70)
10. Pete Horne (151)
11. Rory Hughes (40)
12. Stafford McDowall (8)
13. Nick Grigg (55)
14. Kyle Steyn (0)
15. Ruaridh Jackson (147)
Replacements
16. Kevin Bryce (22)
17. Jamie Bhatti (38)
18. Siua Halanukonuka (25)
19. Kiran McDonald (15)
20. Tevita Tamielau (3)
21. Nick Frisby (9)
22. Adam Hastings (23)
23. Robbie Nairn (3)
Unavailable players:
Bruce Flockhart (ankle), Matt Fagerson (shoulder), Chris Fusaro (neck), Callum Gibbins (ankle/knee), Stuart Hogg (shoulder), George Horne (shoulder), Huw Jones (knee), Lee Jones (knee), Oli Kebble (illness), Patrick Kelly (shoulder), Niko Matawalu (head), Matt Smith (shoulder), DTH van der Merwe (shoulder) and Ryan Wilson (knee).
Fraser Brown, Jonny Gray, Sam Johnson and Tommy Seymour (All Scotland).
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