Glasgow ready to battle elements in Leinster clash
The two clubs have been involved in some memorable tussles over the past few seasons and, while this afternoon may not be one for champagne rugby, Townsend is still expecting a fizzy encounter.
“Anytime you play Leinster is exciting,” he said. “The weather will be a factor. The forecast is wet and windy conditions. It will certainly change the way the teams play.”
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Hide AdYoung hooker James Malcolm will make his first start of the season after impressing off the bench against Cardiff and Treviso, while Duncan Weir replaces Finn Russell at stand-off after a couple of below-par performances from the first-choice Scotland No 10. “There’s no resting,” said Townsend. “This is a very important game for us. We have put out what we think is the most competitive team to win this game.”
With Glasgow missing three hookers to injury – Fraser Brown, Kevin Bryce and Pat MacArthur – 21-year-old academy player Malcolm gets the nod ahead of recent Georgian signing Shalva Mamukashvili.
Townsend said: “James came on and did very well last week. This is a great opportunity for him to start and put the work he has been doing since pre-season into a complete performance.”
Tommy Seymour returns in place of Sean Lamont on the left wing, while Alex Dunbar moves to outside centre and partners Peter Horne, with Mark Bennett not involved this weekend.
Mike Blair replaces Grayson Hart at scrum-half, while in the pack, Ryan Grant starts in place of Gordon Reid at loosehead, with Malcolm replacing Mamukashvili and Sila Puafisi returning in place of Mike Cusack.
Lock Leone Nakarawa will make his 50th Warriors appearance, while in the back-row, Josh Strauss replaces Rob Harley at blindside and Simone Favaro is in for Chris Fusaro at openside.
Following the European loss to Northampton and a narrow home win over Treviso last week, Townsend insisted he was satisfied with his side’s form.
“Our last three Pro12 games we’ve won and taken 14 out of 15 points so that’s pretty good,” he said. “We know we have not played as fluently as we’d like, partly last week due to the weather, the tactics of Treviso and our own performance. Northampton was a disappointment but before that I thought the Ospreys win was one of our best in the last few years.”
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Hide AdLeinster, who followed up back-to-back losses in Europe with a win over Ulster last week, have not included Lions stand-off Jonny Sexton, but have an able replacement in Ian Madigan and field a strong side.
Townsend, meanwhile, welcomed the contract extension of Edinburgh counterpart Alan Solomons, while remaining tight-lipped about his own contract which is up at the end of the season.“It’s great news,” said Townsend. “Edinburgh are building all the time. I think adding Duncan Hodge to the ticket [as attack coach] has strengthened them and they are showing by their performances that they are competitive and are a real threat to our chances of getting in the top four. It’s good Alan is committed for another year.”
Glasgow
15. Stuart Hogg
14. Taqele Naiyaravoro
13. Alex Dunbar
12. Peter Horne
11. Tommy Seymour
10. Duncan Weir
9. Mike Blair
1. Ryan Grant
2. James Malcolm
3. Sila Puafisi
4. Leone Nakarawa
5. Jonny Gray (c)
6. Josh Strauss
7. Simone Favaro
8. Adam Ashe
Subs
16. S Mamukashvili
17. J Yanuyanutawa
18. Zander Fagerson
19. Tim Swinson
20. Rob Harley
21. Ali Price
22. Finn Russell
23. Sean Lamont
Leinster
15. Rob Kearney
14. Zane Kirchner
13. Ben Te’o
12. Luke Fitzgerald
11. Dave Kearney
10. Ian Madigan
9. Eoin Reddan
1. Cian Healy
2. Richardt Strauss
3. Marty Moore
4. Tom Denton
5. Mike McCarthy
6. Rhys Ruddock (c)
7. Josh van der Flier
8. Jordi Murphy
Subs
16. Sean Cronin
17. Peter Dooley
18. Tadhg Furlong
19. Ross Molony
20. Dominic Ryan
21. Isaac Boss
22. Cathal Marsh
23. Garry Ringrose