There’s no rest for the Scotland men in the Glasgow Warriors squad as Gregor Townsend’s side zero in on a Rabodirect PRO12 play-off place in their “biggest game of the season” tonight at Scotstoun against rivals Ospreys.
Duncan Weir and Chris Cusiter stay at half-back, Alex Dunbar and Tommy Seymour in the backs while Ryan Wilson returns to the squad as the Warriors, four points behind the former champions with two games in hand, seek to leapfrog the Welshmen into the fourth play-off place.
Townsend does find a place at centre for Finn Russell, the 21-year-old who impressed when Weir was away with Scotland at the Six Nations, and makes two other changes from the team that defeated Llanelli last Saturday.
As well as Russell replacing Richie Vernon, Townsend brings in Pat MacArthur for Dougie Hall at hooker while Fijian Leone Nakarawa replaces the injured Tim Swinson in the second-row.
“This is our biggest game of the season so far with valuable league points up for grabs,” said the coach.
“It was an important win for us last weekend because Scarlets were one place below us in the league and tomorrow we play the team that are one place above us, so this is a crucial game.
“Ospreys are a very physical side with a number of good playmakers in their backs so we’ll have to be at our best defensively. Like any game against a top side, we’ll have to seize any opportunity that comes our way.
“We are well aware of the huge challenge we face and we’re looking forward to playing in front of a big crowd at Scotstoun and the Glasgow support will have a key role to play.”
Ospreys will have captain Alan Wyn Jones and fellow Lion Justin Tipuric in their pack, but their third Lion Adam Jones is confined to the bench for the second week in a row.