Duo set to make 100th appearances for Glasgow

26 November 2015 12:31

Glasgow head coach Gregor Townsend has paid tribute to centurions Chris Fusaro and Ryan Grant ahead of their milestone outing for the Warriors.

The forwards are both in line to make their 100th appearance for the Scotstoun outfit when they host Benetton Treviso in Friday night's Guinness Pro12 clash.

Fusaro starts at openside flanker, while loosehead prop Grant has been named amongst the replacements.

Townsend said: "It'll be a big night for Chris and Ryan who are set to become centurions. Both have played a big role for the club over a number of years and fully deserve to become part of a special group of players who have reached that milestone."

Georgia international Shalva Mamukashvili makes his first start for the club while Scotland centre Alex Dunbar returns from injury.

Following the defeat to Northampton Saints last weekend, Stuart Hogg continues at full-back, with Taqele Naiyaravoro coming in for Tommy Seymour on the right wing and Sean Lamont completing the back three.

Mark Bennett continues at outside centre, with Dunbar returning at inside centre following a six-week layoff.

Finn Russell and Grayson Hart combine at fly-half and scrum-half respectively, with Mike Blair not involved this weekend.

In the pack Gordon Reid replaces Grant in the starting line-up, while hooker Mamukashvili makes his first start and second appearance, in place of the injured Pat MacArthur.

Mike Cusack returns at tighthead, with Sila Puafisi named on the bench.

Tim Swinson comes in for Leone Nakarawa in the second-row and partners Jonny Gray.

In the back-row Rob Harley continues at blind-side, with Fusaro coming in for former Treviso man Simone Favaro and Adam Ashe replacing Josh Strauss at number eight.

Townsend added: " Any game that you play straight after a defeat becomes more important as you are determined to get back to winning ways.

"Treviso have got a very strong forward pack with a few internationalists and they will be a very tough opponent, so it'll take 80 minutes of effort and accuracy to win tomorrow night."

Source: PA