Glasgow Warriors name near-unchanged side for URC semi-final against Bulls

Glasgow Warriors have named an almost unchanged starting XV for their URC semi-final against the Bulls at Scottish Gas Murrayfield on Saturday, with Gregor Hiddleston the sole new face in the run-on side.

Hiddleston’s inclusion at hooker is the only alteration from the team that won their quarter-final, with the rest of the forward pack retained in full. Scott Cummings and Alex Samuel continue in the second row, while Jack Dempsey starts at number eight with Matt Fagerson and Rory Darge on the flanks.

George Horne partners Dan Lancaster at half-back, and Sione Tuipulotu and Stafford McDowall are again paired in midfield. Captain Kyle Steyn starts on the right wing alongside Kyle Rowe, with Josh McKay at full-back.

The most significant news comes from the bench, where Jamie Dobie is in line for his first appearance since January. The Scotland scrum-half has recovered from the shoulder injury he suffered during the Six Nations match against England and is named among the replacements alongside Adam Hastings.

Head coach Franco Smith acknowledged the scale of the challenge ahead. “We know how strong of a challenge the Bulls will pose tomorrow afternoon — they are serial contenders at the business end of the season, have one of the deepest squads in the competition, and will bring a highly physical game plan that we will need to be at our best to meet,” he said.

Smith also paid tribute to the efforts of Horne and Dobie in getting themselves fit in time. “Both George and Jamie have worked hard with our medical and physio teams this week to put themselves in the best position possible ahead of tomorrow, with both men eager to give their all for this team.”

The Warriors coach struck a broader note ahead of what is a rare home semi-final for the Scottish club. “We look forward to representing not just Glasgow, but all of Scotland at Scottish Gas Murrayfield tomorrow, and we look forward to hearing the Warrior Nation behind us.”

Glasgow Warriors XV: 1 Patrick Schickerling, 2 Gregor Hiddleston, 3 Zander Fagerson, 4 Scott Cummings, 5 Alex Samuel, 6 Matt Fagerson, 7 Rory Darge, 8 Jack Dempsey, 9 George Horne, 10 Dan Lancaster, 11 Kyle Rowe, 12 Sione Tuipulotu, 13 Stafford McDowall, 14 Kyle Steyn (c), 15 Josh McKay.

Replacements: 16 Seb Stephen, 17 Rory Sutherland, 18 Sam Talakai, 19 Jare Oguntibeju, 20 Euan Ferrie, 21 Sione Vailanu, 22 Jamie Dobie, 23 Adam Hastings.