Cardiff Blues will travel to an undefeated Glasgow Warriors side on Friday night in an attempt to claim their third victory in a row.

Warriors have only lost one Guinness PRO14 game at Scotsoun Stadium since February, and will look to continue this impressive record against the resurgent Blues.

What’s at stake?

Glasgow are 12 points clear at the top of Conference A and are in excellent form having beaten the Ospreys 47-6 last weekend. The Blues are enjoying a positive run of form enabling them to take fourth spot in the table and are just six points adrift of third-placed Toyota Cheetahs. A win here would see them close in on the Cheetahs who have a hugely-important match against the Scarlets in South Africa.

Team news (Glasgow Warriors): Head Coach Dave Rennie makes five changes to the side who dispatched Ospreys at the weekend – bringing in his international stars. Despite a fantastic performance last week, scrum-half George Horne is replaced by Henry Pyrgos who partners Peter Horne in the halfbacks. Alex Dunbar returns from Scotland duty to make up the centre pairing with Sam Johnson – whilst the back three is unchanged due to Stuart Hogg’s hip injury. Tongan International Siua Halanukonuka makes his first start in the front row alongside George Turner and Alex Allen.

Team news (Cardiff Blues): After an impressive display off the bench last week, Gareth Anscombe will captain the side for the first time from full-back. He is joined by returning USA international Blaine Scully and Owen Lane, who received his first professional contract earlier this week. Three changes are made to the pack with Josh Turnbull returning to the blindside whilst Macauley Cook moves to second row to partner George Earle. Brad Thyer and Kirby Myhill come into the front three.

Talking points: Despite Cardiff Blues head coach Danny Wilson’s injury worries this week, he’s confident heading into the game after a run of six wins in their last eight matches in all competitions.

He said: “We’re still able to put out a side that I’m confident that can go out to perform against the in-form team in the Championship at the moment. We took them as close as can be at our place and could’ve had a home win, which would’ve been quite a feat considering the form they’re now in.

“We know it’s going to be a challenge, we know they’re going to have some internationals back, but it comes off the back of some good wins in the PRO14 so we can go up there with a bit of confidence.”

Key Battle: Gareth Anscombe v Ruaridh Jackson

Anscombe came off the bench against Connacht and proved to be the difference last week. The full-back scored ten points with the boot and also set up a try for Lane. The Welsh international will be wearing the captain’s armband on Friday and will look to hurt Glasgow from the back. Jackson will have some big boots to fill due to the absence of Hogg, who without the injury sustained at the weekend would likely have been in the No.15 shirt.

Key Stat: Warriors wing Leonardo Sarto was one of the top performers across the Guinness PRO14 last week, running for a whopping 170 metres.

Did you know? Glasgow’s only defeat at Scotstoun since February in the Guinness PRO14 came in round 22 of last season, against their fiercest rivals, Edinburgh.

Glasgow Warriors: Ruaridh Jackson, Lelia Masaga, Alex Dunbar, Sam Johnson, Leonardo Sarto, Peter Horne, Henry Pyrgos, Alex Allen, George Turner, Siua Halanukonuka, Kiran McDonald, Scott Cummings, Callum Gibbins (C), Matt Smith, Ryan Wilson

Replacements: James Malcolm, Jamie Bhatti, D’Arcy Rae, Brian Alainu’uese, Samu Vunisa, George Horne, Adam Hastings, Niko Matawalu

Cardiff Blues: Gareth Anscombe (C); Owen Lane, Garyn Smith, Willis Halaholo, Blaine Scully; Jarrod Evans, Tomos Williams; Brad Thyer, Kirby Myhill, Taufa’ao Filise, George Earle, Macauley Cook, Josh Turnbull, Olly Robinson, Nick Williams
Replacements: Ethan Lewis, Corey Domachowski, Anton Peikrishvili, James Down, Damian Welch, Dane Blacker, Rey Lee-Lo, Tom James

TV: BBC Alba

Match officials – Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU), AR1: Lloyd Linton (SRU), AR2: Keith Allen (SRU) TMO: Andrew McMenemy (SRU)

Guinness PRO14 Final 2018 Ticket Information: Fans can save up to 20% on selected tickets, and prices start at just €30 for adults and €5 for children, and be booked via www.ticketmaster.ie