Leinster make the first of two trips to Scotstoun in the space of a fortnight, determined to hold onto top spot in Champions Cup Pool 3 and further dent Glasgow Warriors’ European hopes.
EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS CUP – POOL 3: Saturday, October 21
GLASGOW WARRIORS (4th) v LEINSTER (1st), Scotstoun Stadium, 1pm (live Sky Sports Action/beIN Sports/Newstalk/highlights TG4)
Team News: Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has made six changes to the starting XV, including the return of out-half Jonathan Sexton who has recovered from a dead leg. Sexton also takes over the captaincy from Isa Nacewa, who has not recovered in time from the ankle injury he suffered against Montpellier.
Joey Carbery continues in the number 15 jersey for his sixth start of the season at full-back, with Barry Daly again selected on the left wing after his try-scoring European debut last Saturday at the RDS.
Having featured off the bench against Montpellier, the fit-again Fergus McFadden starts on the right wing. With Nacewa missing out, Noel Reid comes in at inside centre as he did during the round 1 game when Nacewa was forced off after 35 minutes. Beside him, Robbie Henshaw is selected in the number 13 jersey for the second match in a row. Luke McGrath partners the returning Sexton at half-back.
There are two changes in the front row with Cian Healy and Sean Cronin coming in from the start to join Tadhg Furlong. Behind them, Devin Toner is rejoined in the engine room by Scott Fardy who was a late withdrawal for the Montpellier game due to the birth of his son August.
Back rowers Rhys Ruddock, Josh van der Flier and Jack Conan are selected together for the third match in succession. Although Sean O’Brien remains sidelined with a calf injury, there is a welcome return from an ankle injury for Dan Leavy who features on the bench.
Meanwhile, Scotland’s star full-back Stuart Hogg returns to the Glasgow Warriors team for their lunchtime date with Celtic rivals Leinster on Saturday. Hogg, who underwent shoulder surgery in the summer, has not played since getting injured playing for the British & Irish Lions.
He joins his fellow Lion Tommy Seymour in the back-three for his first game back, with Leonardo Sarto replacing Lee Jones on the left wing. Sam Johnson starts at outside centre with Ali Price, Finn Russell and Peter Horne forming the 9-10-12 axis.
George Turner is the only change in the pack that started last week’s 24-15 loss at Exeter Chiefs, coming in for Fraser Brown who was injured during the first half against Exeter. Pat MacArthur is the replacement hooker and Nick Grigg and Lee Jones are also named among the replacements after starting last Saturday.
GLASGOW WARRIORS: Stuart Hogg; Tommy Seymour, Sam Johnson, Peter Horne, Leonardo Sarto; Finn Russell, Ali Price; Jamie Bhatti, George Turner, Zander Fagerson, Tim Swinson, Jonny Gray, Ryan Wilson (capt), Callum Gibbins, Adam Ashe.
Replacements: Pat MacArthur, Alex Allan, D’arcy Rae, Scott Cummings, Rob Harley, Henry Pyrgos, Nick Grigg, Lee Jones.
LEINSTER: Joey Carbery; Fergus McFadden, Robbie Henshaw, Noel Reid, Barry Daly; Jonathan Sexton (capt), Luke McGrath; Cian Healy, Sean Cronin, Tadhg Furlong, Devin Toner, Scott Fardy, Rhys Ruddock, Josh van der Flier, Jack Conan.
Replacements: James Tracy, Jack McGrath, Michael Bent, James Ryan, Dan Leavy, Jamison Gibson-Park, Ross Byrne, Dave Kearney.
Referee: Jerome Garces (France)
Match Odds (Paddy Power): Glasgow Warriors to win: 8/11; Draw: 16/1; Leinster to win: 6/5
Pre-Match Quotes: Jack Conan (Leinster) – “There’s plenty to work on, but the mood is good. A few weeks ago, before the Munster game, we looked at this block of three games which were massive and we started off on the right foot, we’ve built and we’ve gotten better and better.
“The task this week will be so different to the weekend just gone. We know Glasgow will look to play with a much better tempo, their skill-set will be better so if we can bring the physicality that we brought to Montpellier last Saturday into Glasgow, with that higher tempo to our own game, then we’ll be in a good spot.
“I think there is a great sense of team, and a great environment here. We pride ourselves on how close we are. When you come up against a pack (like Montpellier’s) that people would say is a better, more physical pack, it is a test of character and will.
“I would hate for anyone to think we are not as good as anyone else. It was nice to prove a point and say, ‘if you think you are going to come here and bully us, that’s not going to be the way’.”
Dave Rennie (Glasgow Warriors) – “This game was always a ‘must win’, regardless of the Exeter result. In this competition you need to win your home games and we’ve prepared well and are raring to go. Leinster were impressive last week. We are expecting another arm wrestle. It’ll be a brutal encounter.
“Stuart Hogg has really impressed during his time out injured. The energy he brings is infectious, his contribution on and off the field is influential. He’s got himself in great shape and is desperate to get back out there.”
Current Form – Glasgow Warriors – (GUINNESS PRO14): Won 18-12 v Connacht (away), Won 31-10 v Ospreys (home), Won 20-19 v Cardiff Blues (away), Won 37-10 v Munster (home), Won 37-21 v Benetton Rugby (home), Won 29-26 v Toyota Cheetahs (away); (Champions Cup): Lost 24-15 v Exeter Chiefs (away)
Leinster – (GUINNESS PRO14): Won 39-16 v Dragons (away), Won 37-9 v Cardiff Blues (home), Won 31-10 v Southern Kings (away), Lost 38-19 v Toyota Cheetahs (away), Won 21-13 v Edinburgh (home), Won 23-17 v Munster (home); (Champions Cup): Won 24-17 v Montpellier (home)
Top Scorers – 2017/18 European Champions Cup: Glasgow Warriors – Points: Finn Russell, Tommy Seymour, Lee Jones 5 each; Tries: Tommy Seymour, Lee Jones 1 each; Leinster – Points: Joey Carbery, Josh van der Flier, Robbie Henshaw, Barry Daly 1 each; Tries: Joey Carbery, Josh van der Flier, Robbie Henshaw, Barry Daly 1 each
Previous European Meetings: 6
Sunday, January 15, 2012 – Pool 3 – Glasgow Warriors 16 Leinster 23, Firhill Stadium
Sunday, November 20 – Pool 3 – Leinster 38 Glasgow Warriors 13, the RDS
Saturday, January 14, 2006 – Pool 5 – Leinster 46 Glasgow Warriors 22, the RDS
Sunday, October 30, 2005 – Pool 5 – Glasgow Warriors 20 Leinster 33, Hughenden
Friday, January 7, 2000 – Pool 1 – Leinster 44 Glasgow Warriors 17, Donnybrook
Friday, November 26, 1999 – Pool 1 – Glasgow Warriors 29 Leinster 17, Hughenden
Match Facts –
– The teams have met six times in Europe’s top flight. Glasgow won the first meeting in 1999 but Leinster have won all five games since then
· Glasgow have lost their last nine games against Irish opposition, including two defeats to Munster in last season’s pool stages
· Leinster have won just two of their last 10 away games in the Champions Cup (D2, L6). The three-time champions are unbeaten in their last two on the road, however (W1, D1)
European Cup Records:
Glasgow Warriors –
2016/17: Reached the quarter-finals
2015/16: Failed to qualify from Pool 3
2014/15: Failed to qualify from Pool 4
2013/14: Failed to qualify from Pool 2
2012/13: Failed to qualify from Pool 4
2011/12: Failed to qualify from Pool 3
2010/11: Failed to qualify from Pool 6
2009/10: Failed to qualify from Pool 2
2008/09: Failed to qualify from Pool 5
2007/08: Failed to qualify from Pool 4
2005/06: Failed to qualify from Pool 5
2004/05: Failed to qualify from Pool 3
2002/03: Failed to qualify from Pool 3
2001/02: Failed to qualify from Pool 5
2000/01: Failed to qualify from Pool 6
1999/00: Failed to qualify from Pool 1
1998/99: Failed to qualify from Pool D
1997/98: Reached the quarter-final play-offs
Leinster –
2016/17: Reached the semi-finals
2015/16: Failed to qualify from Pool 5
2014/15: Reached the semi-finals
2013/14: Reached the quarter-finals
2012/13: Failed to qualify from Pool 5
2011/12: Champions
2010/11: Champions
2009/10: Reached the semi-finals
2008/09: Champions
2007/08: Failed to qualify from Pool 6
2006/07: Reached the quarter-finals
2005/06: Reached the semi-finals
2004/05: Reached the quarter-finals
2003/04: Failed to qualify from Pool 3
2002/03: Reached the semi-finals
2001/02: Reached the quarter-finals
2000/01: Failed to qualify from Pool 1
1999/00: Failed to qualify from Pool 1
1998/99: Failed to qualify from Pool A
1997/98: Failed to qualify from Pool A
1996/97: Failed to qualify from Pool B
1995/96: Reached the semi-finals
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