Glasgow Warriors will host Connacht at Scotstoun in a mid-table match-up on Saturday, with the visitors aiming to enter the top half of the table following wins in their last four Guinnes PRO12 games. Fans will be eager to see what impact returning internationals will have, with RBS 6 Nations Player of the Championship Stuart Hogg expected to bring his Scotland form back to Glasgow. Hogg was man-of-the-match when the teams last met in the first round of the season and Connacht conceded six tries to a dominant Warriors side in Ireland. What’s at stake? Warriors were gradually slipping down the table before they ended a three-game losing streak in the Guinness PRO12 with a 47-17 home victory over Newport Gwent Dragons in round 17. Gregor Townsend’s men now sit sixth in the table, 11 points away from a semi-finals spot with just five games left to play. There is more work to do for Connacht, who find themselves one place below the Scottish side having earned four wins from their last four Guinness PRO12 matches – two of which were bonus-point victories. The two sides have met 11 times in the Guinness PRO12 regular season, with Connacht only winning on one occasion, in May 2016. Glasgow team news With Zander Fagerson, Simone Favaro and Tommy Seymour all injured, Gregor Townsend had less internationals to choose from than he may have thought following the RBS 6 Nations. However, Hogg returns at full-back, Scotland half-back pairing Ali Price and Finn Russell come together once more for their club and Tim Swinson is found in the second-row. Fraser Brown and Gordon Reid are back in the front-row, while Saturday could also see captain Peter Horne play with his brother George in a Glasgow shirt for the first time. Connacht team news For Pat Lam the end of the RBS 6 Nations means ten changes to the side which faced Zebre in round 17, with three internationals returning for Connacht. Tiernan O’Halloran is back at full-back and Kieran Marmion reclaims the No.9 shirt, with Sean O’Brien packing down in the back row alongside captain John Muldoon. While Ireland 7’s player Josh Rowland may make his debut for Connacht if he comes off the bench, lock Andrew Browne will gain his 50th cap for the province. Talking points Connacht coach Pat Lam admits that games at Scotstoun are tough, but says Connacht are concentrating on coming away with the points they need. He said: “We’re hugely excited to be back playing this weekend and in such a big game with vital points needed by both teams. “All our games with Glasgow are challenging, particularly in Scotstoun where we have never won. But that chance to create a bit of history just adds to the excitement for us. We know there is little room for error as we look towards the business end of the season but all we can do is focus on the next job at hand and our performance tomorrow afternoon.” Glasgow Warriors head coach Gregor Townsend, on the other hand, expressed his excitement at the return of his international players. He said: “It’s great to welcome so many of our Test players back into our squad, who have all played a part in what was a successful 6 Nations for Scotland. “They have brought energy and enthusiasm to the group and added quality to our preparations this week. “Connacht are a side we respect greatly, from their positive approach to the game and also how hard they work for each other. It should be a cracking game at Scotstoun.” Key battle: Ali Price v Kieran Marmion Both scrum-halves will bring plenty of experience back to their clubs after they found the limelight in the RBS 6 Nations following injuries to Greig Laidlaw and Conor Murray. Marmion is 25 and Price just 23, but both showed maturity for their country, with Price calmly feeding an up and under to Stuart Hogg which led to a try for Matt Scott in Scotland’s game against Italy. The pair did not actually face each other in the Championship, given that Murray and Laidlaw were fit for the clash between Ireland and Scotland, so it will be interesting to see who comes out on top. The Scottish scrum-half may just have the edge, given that he has linked up with fly-half Finn Russell on numerous occasions for club and country. Key stat The Warriors home record in the PRO12 this season is an even won four, lost four. Did you know? Connacht have lost only one of their last six matches against Scottish opponents: 5-41 at home to Warriors in round 1 this season. Glasgow top points scorer: Finn Russell 48pts. Top try scorer: Tommy Seymour 8 Connacht top points scorer: Jack Carty 77pts. Top try scorer: Niyi Adeolokun 5 Overall Guinness PRO12 head to head record: Played 30, Warriors won 18, Connacht won 9, with 3 games drawn. At Scotstoun Stadium, 5.15pm. Live on Sky Sports Referee: Ian Davies (WRU, 60th competition game) Assistant Referees: Sean Brickell (WRU), Bob Nevins (SRU) Citing Commissioner: John Montgomery (SRU) TMO: Jon Mason (WRU)
