While playing for Scotland against Wales in the 2022 U20 Six Nations Oguntibeju suffered serious ligament which put him out for two years. He took his first steps back with Stirling Wolves in last season's Super Series and was then named earlier this month in Glasgow's new senior academy intake for the 2024-25 season.
"I'm excited to see him, very excited to be honest," said Franco Smith in The Scotsman "He's really come on in pre-season. After a long injury he's had to overcome a lot of physical obstacles and he's done that, he looks in very good shape. He's got to adapt to senior rugby still but I'm excited to see what he can bring on Saturday night."
Oguntibeju trained with Glasgow Warriors during the closing stages of last season. Born in South Africa to Nigerian parents, he qualifies for Scotland after living in Edinburgh for most of his childhood.
Oguntibeju possesses all the physical attributes to make an impact on pro rugby and he has the opportunity to impress in a 30-man Glasgow squad that travels to Italy without its senior internationals.
"There's going to be rolling subs," said Smith. "It's exactly what it is - a warm-up game. There will be 20-minute water breaks so there will be opportunities to give everyone a run. We see this as an extension of the first three weeks of pre-season.
"Duncan Weir is captaining this week but we have a lot of leaders and potential leaders spread throughout. A guy like Alex Samuel is putting his hand up from a lineout perspective, Tom Jordan is in there, Josh McKay has a specific role from the back, and then there is a young guy like Duncan Munn who has already put his hand up for a lot more responsibility than just participating. He's captained the junior sides so he's one of the guys we look to maybe even lead the team in the second part of the game."
Smith also gave an update on Glasgow's long-term injuries and said he doesn't expect Ollie Smith, Sione Vailanu and JP du Preez to return until December. "They are all more or less in that same bracket, to see if we can have them back around just before Christmas." All three players sustained serious knee injuries last season.