Glasgow Warriors aiming for 10-in-a-row as Scotland cap returns from injury

The 23-year-old lock, who has one Scotland cap, returns to the Warriors starting XV for the United Rugby Championship fixture after recovering from a shoulder injury that has kept him sidelined since the 1872 Cup win over Edinburgh at Murrayfield on December 27.

The inclusion of Samuel in the second-row is the only alteration to the team that claimed a bonus-point victory over Munster at Scotstoun last month, a result which left Warriors sitting in pole position in the URC standings going into the international break.

An unchanged front-row sees Seb Stephen pack down at hooker with Jamie Bhatti and Murphy Walker lining up alongside him as the starting props.

Jare Oguntibeju partners Samuel in the second-row, having touched down for one of Glasgow’s four tries in victory over Munster last time out. Angus Fraser continues at openside, joining Euan Ferrie and Ally Miller in the back-row that will run out in Galway tomorrow afternoon. Ben Afshar and Dan Lancaster combine once more as the half-backs.

Stafford McDowall as been released from the Scotland Six Nations camp to captain the squad from outside centre, pairing up with Kerr Yule as the midfield combination.

The back-three sees Josh McKay flanked by Ollie Smith and Kyle Rowe, the latter having crossed for a brace of tries in Scotland A’s 24-24 draw with Italy XV earlier this month.

Jack Oliver is named amongst the replacements in the week that saw the scrum-half put pen to paper on a first professional contract with the club, having impressed since joining the club’s academy in the closing stages of the 2024/25 season.

A trio of Scotland internationals add depth to the bench as Gregor Hiddleston, Alex Craig and Adam Hastings all return to Glasgow colours after being part of the Scotland camp for the opening three rounds of the Six Nations.

“Training has been sharp this week," said Glasgow head coach Franco Smith.

“Connacht possess a squad that blends a physical forward pack with backs that can threaten from anywhere on the field, and have welcomed back their internationals for this fixture - they pose a difficult proposition for any side on the competition.

“We are fully focused on our own performance levels, however, and we want to ensure that we put out the best version of ourselves possible tomorrow afternoon.”