Talakai to make debut as Fagerson reaches 150
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Sam Talakai will make his Glasgow Warriors debut in the opening round of the 2024/25 BKT United Rugby Championship against Ulster tomorrow night, after being named in a matchday 23 that also sees Zander Fagerson bring up 150 appearances for the Scotstoun outfit.
The tight-heads are part of a squad containing 16 internationals for the club’s first visit to the Kingspan Stadium since the opening match of the 2021/22 season, as Franco Smith’s men open their BKT URC title defence under the Saturday night lights.
Australian international Talakai packs down alongside Jamie Bhatti and Johnny Matthews in an experienced front-row, the latter having finished on top of the try-scoring charts with 14 in the 2023/24 campaign.
Richie Gray partners Max Williamson in the engine room, forming an all-international combination after Williamson’s senior international debut on Scotland’s summer tour.
Matt Fagerson – Player of the Match in the 2023/24 BKT URC Grand Final – and Rory Darge are named as the flankers, with Henco Venter selected at number eight one year on from making his Glasgow Warriors debut in the opening match of last season.
Behind the scrum, Jamie Dobie is given the nod at scrum-half, whilst Tom Jordan starts at fly-half after reaching a half-century of Glasgow Warriors appearances in the Grand Final win in Pretoria back in June.
Sione Tuipulotu lines up at inside centre three years on from making his club debut in Belfast, whilst Stafford McDowall comes in for his first outing in Glasgow colours since May’s clash with the Emirates Lions in Johannesburg.
The same back-three combination that started the 2023/24 Grand Final is selected for the opening match of the new campaign, as club captain Kyle Steyn and Sebastian Cancelliere line up either side of full-back, Josh McKay.
Fagerson’s inclusion in the matchday 23 means that the tight-head will become just the 15th Warrior to reach 150 appearances if and when called upon this Saturday, with the British and Irish Lion having become one of the sport’s premier tight-heads since making his Glasgow Warriors debut in 2014.
Also lining up amongst the replacements is Scotland international Adam Hastings, the fly-half set for his first appearance in a Glasgow shirt since 2021 after returning to the club from Gloucester over the summer.
Nathan McBeth and Gregor Brown are included in the matchday squad after both making their senior international debuts for Scotland during the summer tour, the pair both having also come off the bench in the Grand Final victory over the Vodacom Bulls in June.
Alex Samuel and Euan Ferrie complete a six-two split of forwards and backs, with Ben Afshar rounding out the replacements to take on the team against whom he made his professional debut last season.
Speaking following selection, Head Coach Smith told glasgowwarriors.org: “We are looking forward to taking to the field for the first time in 2024/25, with everyone driving each other forward and putting their hand up to be involved.
“Ulster will provide us with a stern test first up; they have recruited well ahead of the new season and will be defending a proud home record in front of a passionate crowd in Belfast.
“We’re pleased to see Sam make his first appearance for us since arriving in Glasgow, and for Zander to reach the 150 mark; anyone that plays 150 matches for their club is someone who clearly is proud to represent their club, and is a top professional as well as a top person.”
Glasgow Warriors team to face Ulster at Kingspan Stadium, Saturday 21 September, kick-off 7.45pm. You can watch the match live on Premier Sports, or follow all the action in our Live Match Centre at glasgowwarriors.org.
1 Jamie Bhatti (106)
2 Johnny Matthews (73)
3 Sam Talakai (0)
4 Max Williamson (19)
5 Richie Gray (115)
6 Matt Fagerson (111)
7 Rory Darge (48)
8 Henco Venter (22)
9 Jamie Dobie (68)
10 Tom Jordan (50)
11 Kyle Steyn (C) (77)
12 Sione Tuipulotu (55)
13 Stafford McDowall (78)
14 Sebastian Cancelliere (38)
15 Josh McKay (49)
Replacements
16 Gregor Hiddleston (9)
17 Nathan McBeth (42)
18 Zander Fagerson (149)
19 Alex Samuel (15)
20 Gregor Brown (20)
21 Euan Ferrie (20)
22 Ben Afshar (8)
23 Adam Hastings (53)
Unavailable for selection: Facundo Cordero (ankle), Scott Cummings (foot), Allan Dell (arm), Jack Dempsey (back), Huw Jones (calf), Ally Miller (calf), JP du Preez (knee), Ollie Smith (knee), Rory Sutherland (groin), Sione Vailanu (knee), Murphy Walker (neck)
