31-10-14 TV BLOG

GLASGOW V TREVISO FRI

Gregor Townsend has made 12 changes to his Glasgow team for the Pro-12 meeting with Treviso at Scotstoun on Friday.

The only Warriors remaining from their win over Montpellier are Josh Strauss, Chris Fusaro and Pat MacArthur, due to injuries and international call-ups

Canadian international back Connor Braid has returned from a three-week loan period with London Scottish and could make his first competitive appearance.

Head coach Townsend said: "We will have to work very hard for a positive result as Benetton Treviso are a very physical side and are much improved since the start of the season.

Glasgow Warriors: Peter Murchie, Lee Jones, Richie Vernon, James Downey, DTH van der Merwe, Peter Horne, Niko Matawalu: Ryan Grant, Pat MacArthur, Rossouw de Klerk, Tom Ryder, Leone Nakarawa, Josh Strauss (C), Chris Fusaro, Ryan Wilson.

Replacements: Dougie Hall, Alex Allan, Zander Fagerson, James Eddie, Will Bordill, Murray McConnell, Connor Braid, Rory Hughes.

Treviso: Jayden Hayward, Simone Ragusi, Michele Campagnaro, Enrico Bacchin, Ludovico Nitoglia, Sam Christie, Alberto Lucchese, Francesco Minto, Alessandro Zanni (C), Simone Favaro, Corniel Van Zyl, Tomas Vallejos, Salesi Manu, Davide Giazzon, Matteo Zanusso.

Replacements: Amar Kudin, Albert Anae, Rupert Harden, Mat Luamanu, Marco Lazzaroni, Marco Barbini, Luca Morisi, James Ambrosini.

I see this as a Glasgow win but no bonus point as too many changes have been made

LEINSTER V EDINBURGH FRI

A combination of international call-ups and injuries will see Leinster and Edinburgh both parading much-changed line-ups in Friday's Pro12 game.

Leinster make eight changes from the win over Castres with Ireland stars Jamie Heaslip, Gordon D'Arcy and Ian Madigan among the absentees.

Edinburgh's side has 10 changes from their Challenge Cup win over Lyon.

Nick McLennan, Joaquin Dominguez and fit-again Dougie Fife are all drafted into the Edinburgh backs.

Andries Strauss, a late withdrawal from the Lyon game, takes captain's armband for this game with Ross Ford unavailable because of Scotland duty and both captain Mike Coman and vice-captain Grant Gilchrist out because of injury.

Leinster: Zane Kirchner; Darragh Fanning, Ben Te'o, Noel Reid, Luke Fitzgerald; Jimmy Gopperth, Luke McGrath; Michael Bent, Richardt Strauss, Tadgh Furlong; Tom Denton, Kane Douglas; Kevin McLaughlin (capt), Dominic Ryan, Jack Conan.

Replacements: Bryan Byrne, Ed Byrne, Peter Dooley, Ben Marshall, Dan Leavy, Isaac Boss, Steve Crosbie, Mick McGrath.

Edinburgh: Nick McLennan; Dougie Fife, Joaquin Dominguez, Tim Visser; Tom Heathcote, Sam Hidalgo-Clyne; Allan Dell, James Hilterbrand, Willem Nel; Ben Toolis, Jack Turley; Magnus Bradbury, Tomas Leonardi, David Denton.

Replacements: Jake Kerr, Rory Sutherland, John Andress, Jamie Ritchie, George Turner, Sean Kennedy, Greig Tonks, Jack Cuthbert

If Leinster are going to be the force they need to be this season this is a place where they need to pick up points

OSPRAYS V CONNACHT FRI

Bundee Aki will make his Connacht debut in Friday night's Pro12 clash with the table-topping Ospreys in Swansea.

The centre is one of nine changes including the temporary return of Kieran Marmion, Rodney Ah You and Darragh Leader from the Ireland camp.

Ospreys number eight Ieuan Jones, on loan from Cardiff Blues, also makes his debut at the Liberty Stadium.

Replacements Rory Thornton and Jordan Collier will add to the tally of debutants if they come off the bench.

The Welsh hosts sit three points clear at the top after six games with Connacht eight points behind in fifth.

Ospreys: Dan Evans, Jeff Hassler, Andrew Bishop, Josh Matavesi, Tom Grabham, Sam Davies, Martin Roberts, Duncan Jones, Sam Parry, Aaron Jarvis, Lloyd Peers (capt), Rynier Bernardo, Sam Lewis, Juston Tipuric, Ieuen Jones.

Replacements: Scott Otten, Marc Thomas, Dmitri Arhip, Rory Thornton, Jordan Collier, Tom Habberfield, Ashley Beck, Aisea Natoga.

Connacht: Shane Layden, Niyi Adeolokun, Bundee Aki, Craig Ronaldson, Matt Healy, Jack Carty, Kieran Marmion, Denis Buckley, Jason Harris-Wright, Rodney Ah You, Mick Kearney, Quinn Roux, John Muldoon (capt), Eoin McKeon, George Naoupu.

Replacements: Dave Heffernan, Jamie Dever, JP Cooney, Andrew Browne, Willie Faloon, Ian Porter, Dave McSharry, Darragh Leader.

I am not sure what way this match will go you can see Connacht improving and the Ospreys will have a lot of people out with international duty this could be close but I give it to the Osprey’s

BLUES V MUNSTER SAT 17.15

Argentina utility back Lucas Amorosino makes his debut for the Blues against Munster on Saturday.

And Wales international Rhys Patchell has recovered from a shoulder injury in the 33-18 win away to Rovigo in the European Challenge Cup.

The Blues are without Wales-tied Cory Allen, Sam Warburton, Gethin Jenkins and Alex Cuthbert

Despite two wins out of two in Europe, the Welsh side are currently a lowly 10th in the Pro12 table.

Fourth-placed Munster meanwhile have only lost once in their last seven matches in all tournaments.

The Irish province will also be without their Ireland squad members in Saturday's contest with Paul O'Connell, Peter O'Mahony Conor Murray, Simon Zebo, Felix Jones and Ian Keatley all unavailable.

Coach Anthony Foley makes 11 changes from last weekend's European win over Saracens with only Andrew Conway, Andrew Smith, BJ Botha and CJ Stander retaining their starting places.

Cardiff Blues: Rhys Patchell, Richard Smith, Adam Thomas, Gavin Evans, Lucas Amorosino, Gareth Davies, Lloyd Williams; Sam Hobbs, Matthew Rees (capt), Adam Jones, Jarrad Hoeata, Filo Paulo, Josh Turnbull, Josh Navidi, Manoa Vosawai

Replacements: Kristian Dacey, Thomas Davies, Taufa'ao Filise, Macauley Cook, Ellis Jenkins, Lewis Jones, Garyn Smith, Dan Fish

Munster: Johne Murphy; Andrew Conway, Andrew Smith, Rory Scannell, Gerhard van den Heever; JJ Hanrahan, Duncan Williams; John Ryan, Kevin O'Byrne, BJ Botha; Donncha O'Callaghan (capt), Billy Holland; CJ Stander, Paddy Butler, Robin Copeland

Replacements: Eusebio Guinazu, Alan Cotter, Stephen Archer, Sean McCarthy, Barry O'Mahony, Cathal Sheridan, Johnny Holland, Ronan O'Mahony

This could be an exciting match on Saturday and I see it being very close between 2 very good sides but how important the internationals are in my opinion will give the Blues the edge

SCARLETS V ZEBRE SAT 18.00

This match should be important to Scarlet’s doing ok this type of match they should win will probably make a difference to how well they can do this season. I think that this Zebre tram are definitely improving and will get a lot better as the season progresses but I cannot see Scarlet’s lose this game especially as they are at home.  

ULSTER V DRAGONS SAT 19.35

This is a very important match for Ulster as they will not have that many of their best players in the team which will make us see what their strength in depth. The last time they had a match by having to release players they put in a poor performance against Zeb re so this is important

Sean Reidy will play his first competitive match for Ulster in one of seven changes for Saturday's Pro12 clash at home to the Dragons.

Winger Peter Nelson gets his first game this season while Stuart Olding has been released from Ireland camp and starts the match at full-back.

Dragons have Taulupe Faletau, Hallam Amos and Tom Prydie on Wales’s duty.

In all, director of Rugby Lyn Jones has made seven changes from the team that lost 26-30 to Newcastle Falcons.

Rhys Williams has been named at centre for Dragons, just three days after joining on loan form Premiership club Carmarthen Quins.

Ulster coach Neil Doak has made seven changes and two positional switches from the team which started against Toulon in the European Champions Cup.

Ulster : S Olding, L Ludik, D Cave, S McCloskey P Nelson, P Jackson, P Marshall; C Black, R Herring, W Herbst, L Stevenson, F van der Merwe, C Ross, S Reidy, R Wilson (c).

Replacements: J Andrew, A Warwick, D Fitzpatrick, N McComb, R Diack, M Heaney, I Humphreys, R Andrew.

Newport Gwent Dragons: Jason Tovey, Matthew Pewtner, Rhys Williams, Ashley Smith, Aled Brew, Angus O'Brien, Richie Rees; Boris Stankovich, Thomas Rhys Thomas, Dan Way, James Thomas, Rynard Landman (c), Lewis Evans, James Benjamin, Andy Powell.

Replacements: Elliot Dee, Owen Evans, Lloyd Fairbrother, Scott Andrews, Ollie Griffiths, Jonathan Evans, Geraint Rhys Jones, Ashton Hewitt.

I feel that Ulster will win this match but they will find it very difficult