September 21, 2006

Warriors to face Cardiff

Posted by Editor on September 21, 2006 12:01 PM | 14 comments | Print | E-mail author

Scott Barrow is in the Glasgow team to face Cardiff Blues
Sean Lineen has named the side that will take on Cardiff Blues on Friday at Cardiff Arms Park.

Following the 24-13 win against Heineken Cup holders Munster last Friday and the 13-5 victory for the back-up team against their Edinburgh counterparts on Monday, Glasgow Warriors head coach Sean Lineen has made three changes (one positional) to the team to face Cardiff Blues at the Arms Park on Friday 22 September (ko 6.40pm).

Francisco Leonelli, who pulled out of the starting line-up during the pre-match warm up last week, is reinstated to fullback. Sean Marsden moves to the bench to make way for Scott Barrow, who was in try scoring form for the back-up team on Monday. Scott slots in at inside centre meaning Andy Henderson moves to outside centre.

Sean said "Scott Barrow looked impressive not only in the back-up game but also when he came onto the pitch in the game against Munster. He showed a good rugby brain and a lot of hunger to get his hands on the ball. Francisco was disappointed to have to drop out of the side so late in the day last week but is very keen to prove himself to his team-mates and make the fullback shirt his own."

15 Francisco Leonelli
14 Hefin O'Hare
13 Andrew Henderson
12 Scott Barrow
11 Thom Evans
10 Dan Parks
9 Graeme Beveridge
1 Justin Va'a
2 Fergus Thomson*
3 Euan Murray
4 Andy Newman
5 Alastair Kellock* CAPTAIN
6 Andrew Wilson*
7 John Barclay*
8 John Beattie*


Substitutes:
16 Eric Milligan
17 Kevin Tkachuk
18 Dan Turner
19 Calum Forrester**
20 Sam Pinder
21 Colin Gregor
22 Sean Marsden

Unavailable for selection due to injury: Rory Lamont (knee and stomach), Jon Petrie (finger), Colin Shaw (leg).

The following National Academy players are available to play for their clubs this weekend.

Ben Addison (Stirling County)**, Willie Brown (Hillhead-Jordanhill)**, Jamie Hunter (Hillhead-Jordanhill)**, Ruaridh Jackson (Cartha Queens Park)**, Allan Kelly (Glasgow Hawks)**, Moray Low (Aberdeen GSFP)**, Colin White (Ayr)**

*Member of the Scottish Institute of Sport. **Member of the West Of Scotland Institute of Sport

Comments
Posted by warrior_dave on September 21, 2006 12:11 PM | Reply to this comment

Think this is harsh on Sean Marsden, who I thought was excellent last week

Posted by Gordon on September 21, 2006 12:29 PM | Reply to this comment

Calum Forrester has been impressive in both back-up matches - good to see him getting his reward.

Posted by Gnasher aka Andrew Nisbet on September 22, 2006 11:04 AM | Reply to this comment

He did play well but for most of the match (I think) at full back with Scott at centre. So perhaps he was a bit unlucky. However, it seems we now have a bit of healthy competition for places - which if nothing else will allow a bit of rotation and keep players fresh.

As an aside, i am advised by my son (who knows about these things) that I should have a chat room name - henceforth i will be Gnasher!

Posted by Alistair on September 21, 2006 01:41 PM | Reply to this comment

Dear Sean,

Did you notice how the scrum got stronger when Euan went off? Despite being forced to play a back at number 8? Does this not suggest something to you?

And Hefin should be at OC.

Posted by ChalkyWhite on September 21, 2006 02:38 PM | Reply to this comment

Alistair,
I'm sure the SRU would look at your CV if you mail it into them for a head coaching position. Don't you just love the armchair quarterbacks.

Posted by Alistair on September 21, 2006 03:16 PM | Reply to this comment

I'm hardly advocating controversial changes am I? I fairly certain the consensus is that Hefin's utility at OC outweighs his abilities as a wing. As for the front row, I don't know anyone who thinks Tkatchuk should be on the bench.

Posted by sunday5 on September 21, 2006 07:58 PM | Reply to this comment

T-bone hasn't looked all that fit recently. Even so, I totaly agree with you, we need props with brass balls and Murray doesn't relish pain enough. Va'a and T-bone seem to crave it. Marsden has been seen off, he should be starting. No disrespect to the back up taking his place but shifting around the mid-field like that is risky. Not holding my breath here.....

Posted by Moody Blue on September 21, 2006 08:02 PM | Reply to this comment

Is the point about the front row not this: that the pro teams in Scotland have a development role to nurture Scottish talent as well as to compete in their own right and those interests must be balanced; neither Va'a or Tkatchuk are Scottish, Murray is. Euan Murray has long been seen as a potential Scotland prop but has been very unlucky with injuries. This is probably developing into one of his longest sequence of matches without injury and is surely a chance to let him get to peak fitness - if he doesn't impress then, fair enough; but at least we should support the coaches attempt to get him a decent run of games for the first time in a longer ime

Posted by Gordon on September 21, 2006 08:10 PM | Reply to this comment

It's only my opinion, but I'd say Euan Murray is a stronger tighthead than Kevin Tkachuk who is primarily a one. I've not seen enough of Justin Va'a at 3 to really make a judgement but I've heard some talk that he is more comfortable on the loosehead. Of the three, I suppose T-Bone is thought to be more suited to the "impact" role. So, until Ben Prescott is back to match fitness and challenging it's maybe not surprising they have gone with Euan at tighthead. Should also point out that Euan is outstanding defensively and, as MB says, he needs a run of games.

Posted by bossco85 on September 22, 2006 02:32 PM | Reply to this comment

i think barrow and henderson at centre has been long over due, marsden played well but you need to ask would u rahter have him or leonelli? i no who i would. you couold of course play them both but then you would need to drop a winger. and neither hef or evans r playing badly enough to b dropped. barrow and henderson looked good last week so there is n o need to change it again, stick with what works i say. as for props, i think euan is still trying to find his top form, tbone is good to have as an impact player and he is one of the few who throw their weight about, but i am not the coach and sean see's more of the players than we do so we shall assume he knows what he's doing. as for tonite, i think we may just about sneak home, well i hope so.

Posted by sunday5 on September 22, 2006 04:48 PM | Reply to this comment

The Herald today predicted that we'll get beaten by 20 points tonight. Seems a little harsh, doesn't it? Guess we'll find out in a couple of hours.

Posted by stones on September 22, 2006 09:16 PM | Reply to this comment

Spooky... :-(

Posted by sunday5 on September 23, 2006 10:16 AM | Reply to this comment

Not harsh at all then...... Would anyone in their right mind go to a Warriors away game?

Posted by Big Blue on September 26, 2006 01:39 PM | Reply to this comment

Yes, quite a number do. Starting with this Friday evening.

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