Lions

Francke Horn (Lions) gets the ball in touch during the United Rugby Championship on September 24, 2021 at the Sergio Lanfranchi stadium in Parma, Italy Photo: Massimiliano Carnabuci/LiveMedia/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

United Rugby Championship: Glasgow Warriors vs Lions preview

The Glasgow Warriors host the Lions at Scotstoun Stadium from 16:00 on Saturday 9 October 2021 looking to keep a fine run at home going.

Lions

Francke Horn (Lions) gets the ball in touch during the United Rugby Championship on September 24, 2021 at the Sergio Lanfranchi stadium in Parma, Italy Photo: Massimiliano Carnabuci/LiveMedia/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Glasgow Warriors vs Lions: The Scottish hosts will be bidding for back-to-back home victories over South African opposition.

Glasgow Warriors vs Lions preview

The Warriors were full value for their 35-24 victory over the Sharks in Round 2 to extend their impressive run of home form in the United Rugby Championship.

Meanwhile the Lions are without injured flyhalf Jordan Hendrikse and that will see some changes in their approach. Still, EW Viljoen welcomes the variety in opponents and styles, even from within.

“Starting off the campaign, playing the different teams that play these different kind of game plans, suits us. We need to adapt to every game as we prepare in that week.”

The fullback was good value for money on attack last week – he made 102 metres against the Scarlets and beat four defenders in the process, but he feels it is all about the team.

“Our mentality is to put the team first. It is how I can be the best for the team week-in and week-out, we are definitely capable of handling everything these teams throw at us,” he said.

Glasgow have suffered only one defeat in their last six matches across the Rainbow Cup and United Rugby Championship – a 35-29 reverse to Ulster in Round 1.

The Warriors have won their last five matches at their fortress of Scotstoun, and their only two previous defeats in nine games against South African opponents came on the road.

“There’s a really positive vibe around the club at the moment. The boys are loving every minute of it. We’ve always been a tight group,” said Warriors coach Johnny Matthews.

“Pre-season’s been really good. We had a couple of really good pre-season games and then we were unlucky against Ulster. We probably should have won that one as well.

“Everyone’s buzzing and itching to get back out there and try and get another win under our belts this weekend.”

The Lions have never faced Scottish opposition in a competitive fixture before and will be looking for a return to winning ways after following up their victory against Zebre in Round 1 with a 36-13 defeat to the Scarlets.

Team line-ups

Glasgow Warriors: Cole Forbes, Kyle Steyn, Nick Grigg, Sam Johnson, Rufus McLean, Ross Thompson, Jamie Dobie; Jamie Bhatti, Fraser Brown, Murray McCallum, Lewis Bean, Richie Gray, Ryan Wilson, Rory Darge, Jack Dempsey.

Replacements: Johnny Matthews, Brad Thyer, Murphy Walker, Rob Harley, Matt Fagerson, George Horne, Duncan Weir, Sione Tuipulotu.

Emirates Lions: Divan Rossouw, Stean Pienaar, Manuel Rass, Burger Odendaal (captain), Rabz Maxwane, Rabz Maxwane, EW Viljoen, Andre Warner, Sti Sithole, Jaco Visagie, Jannie du Plessis, Ruben Schoeman, Pieter Janse van Vuren, Jaco Kriel, Vincent Tshituka, Ruhan Straeuli.

Replacements: PJ Botha, Morgan Naude, Carlu Sadie, Reinhard Nothnagel, Sibusiso Sangweni, Morne van den Berg, Matt More, Wandisile Simelane.

MATCH INFORMATION, KICK-OFF TIMES, TV DETAILS, LIVE STREAM

Glasgow Warriors vs Lions

Date: Saturday, 9 October

Venue: Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow (Scotland)

SA time: 16h00

Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi

AR 1: David Sutherland (SRU), AR 2: Dunx McClement (SRU),

TMO: Matteo Liperini (FIR)

TV: SuperSport Grandstand

Stream: DStv Now

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