Ex-Edinburgh captain Jamie Ritchie set for Glasgow Warriors debut against Benetton

Jamie Ritchie will make his Glasgow Warriors debut on Saturday when Franco Smith’s side travel to face Benetton in Treviso in the United Rugby Championship, with the former Edinburgh captain named at blindside flanker in a reshuffled starting XV.

Ritchie, 30, made 133 appearances for Edinburgh — Glasgow’s arch Scottish rivals — before departing for Perpignan in 2025. The Scotland international and ex-Test skipper returns to the URC as a summer signing, earning his first appearance in Glasgow colours as one of five changes from the side that claimed a bonus-point victory over Sale Sharks in the Investec Champions Cup.

His inclusion pushes Euan Ferrie to No.8, with current Scotland captain Rory Darge completing the back row alongside the two new starters.

There is also a first professional start for young fly-half Matthew Urwin. The former Scotland U20 playmaker, who signed his maiden professional contract with the club over the summer, will wear the No.10 jersey for the occasion.

British & Irish Lions prop Rory Sutherland makes his first outing of the season after recovering from a calf injury, taking his place in a front row alongside Seb Stephen and Zander Fagerson. Lock Max Williamson returns to partner Scott Cummings and will mark his 50th appearance for the club in the process.

Jamie Dobie shifts infield from the wing to start at scrum-half alongside Urwin, while Sione Tuipulotu and Stafford McDowall continue their established midfield partnership. Ollie Smith comes into the back three after scoring off the bench against Sale, joining Kyle Steyn and Kyle Rowe.

Gregor Hiddleston returns to the matchday 23 after missing last week’s fixture through injury, and Alex Craig is named among the replacements just days after agreeing a new contract with the club.

Glasgow Warriors: 15 Kyle Rowe, 14 Kyle Steyn (captain), 13 Stafford McDowall, 12 Sione Tuipulotu, 11 Ollie Smith, 10 Matthew Urwin, 9 Jamie Dobie; 1 Rory Sutherland, 2 Seb Stephen, 3 Zander Fagerson, 4 Max Williamson, 5 Scott Cummings, 6 Jamie Ritchie, 7 Rory Darge, 8 Euan Ferrie.

Replacements: 16 Gregor Hiddleston, 17 Nathan McBeth, 18 Murphy Walker, 19 Alex Craig, 20 Jare Oguntibeju, 21 Gregor Brown, 22 Callum Reidy, 23 Bayley Kuenzle.