Glasgow Warriors best starting XV for 2026/27 season as it stands and biggest depth concerns for Franco Smith

Scotland centre Huw Jones and No 8 Jack Dempsey lead the list which also includes stand-off Adam Hastings, hooker Johnny Matthews and prop Jamie Bhatti. Warriors have already began their rebuild with the signing of South African back rower Ruwald van der Merwe, while seven academy players have singed pro contracts.

They are still a long way from coming close to replacing the quality and depth they are set to lose but, despite that, there is still an incredibly strong core of players to rely on. Here, we take a look at what we see as Glasgow’s best starting XV as it stands for next season, examine the current depth and where new recruits are most needed:

Front row

There’s no doubt about it that Glasgow will need reinforcements at loosehead. Bhatti will return to Bath at the end of his current contract and Rory Sutherland, who will turn 34 in August, has a well documented history of injuries.

Patrick Schickerling has done well in recent games but his preferred position is at tight-head. That leaves Nathan McBeth as the obvious first choice in the No 1 jersey going into next season.

On the other side of the front row things are much better positioned with Zander Fagerson clearly the out and out leader. The aforementioned Schickerling and veteran Wallaby cap Sam Talakai, who has done well off the bench and recently singed a contract extension, give them great depth.

At hooker, Matthews’ departure for US Montauban will most likely need to be addressed. Gregor Hiddleston stands as the first choice for the time being and emerging prospect Seb Stephen may even see an increase in game time after signing his first pro contract earlier this month.

Second row

Here we have a situation that requires some consideration. Firstly though, it’s fair to say that recruiting new locks is far from a priority with the team already well served in that department.

Scott Cummings, Alex Craig, Max Williamson, Gregor Brown and Alex Samuel are Scotland internationals and Warriors can be more than happy with that depth. It’s in the back row where Dempsey’s departure for Japan could be felt throughout the entire pack.

Our call would be to move Brown to the back row until Dempsey’s departure is addressed. He leaves a 112kg void and it’s sensible to replace that weight and brute force elsewhere.

So with that in mind, it’s Cummings and Williamson at locks for us. Cummings, a British & Irish Lion, is the clear first choice while Williamson’s slightly larger presence over Craig, plus his recent good form, gives him the slight edge.

Back row

Glasgow need to address the massive hole left at No 8 by Dempsey’s departure. It will clearly not be easy.

Tongan heavyweight Sione Vailanu brings that ball-carrying presence, but the former Wasps and Worcester Warriors man simply has not been available enough to be counted on. He also doesn’t offer the same work-rate and intensity of Dempsey either.

New signing Van der Merwe does not appear, on the face of things, to be a player who will go straight into the starting XV every week. His profile also suggests he may be more of an option at blind-side flanker who can cover across the back row rather than an out and out 8.

So, for now, the only realistic call is the ever reliable Matt Fagerson. He’s an accomplished No 8 with plenty of Scotland caps in that position but he’s proven over the past couple of seasons that his best position is at 6.

Gregor Brown moves from the second row to blind-side flanker in our team and Rory Darge obviously starts at open-side. There is decent depth with the likes of Euan Ferrie but a little extra bolstering beyond what has already been mentioned wouldn’t hurt.

Half backs

Scrum half seems straightforward with George Horne starting and Jamie Dobie moved to the wing and ready, willing and able to cover at nine if required. You’ve then got Ben Afshar, who recently signed an extension, beyond that.

Dan Lancaster is the current first choice ten, especially with Hastings headed to France in the summer. Charlie Savala gives them another option but the Sydney-born back is more of a utility player than the man to lead he back line at this moment in time.

There’s also 20-year old Matthew Urwin, who has recently signed a pro contract and will travel for their tour of South Africa this month. Warriors will likely want another stand off in the summer to compete with and even overtake Lancaster in that jersey.

Centres

Replacing someone like Huw Jones is going to be a challenge. They are stacked at 12 with Scotland skipper Sione Tuipulotu and Stafford McDowall competing for that jersey while Kerr Yule, another prospect who singed a pro deal this month, will likely get a chance to impress when those two are away with Scotland.

McDowall slots into our team at 13, where he has currently overtaken Jones for Glasgow, and there is no concern in going with him there in the short or even long term. He’s more natural on the inside though and a little bit more pace and electricity helps at outside centre.

There’s plenty of promising players coming through in the middle of the park and guys who can cover like Savala, but a couple of injuries and the team is suddenly down to the bare bones. A big arrival in the summer would be a real shot in the arm.

Back three

Much like with the second row, Warriors are stacked when it comes to the back three. Captain Kyle Steyn needs no explanation for his inclusion after a stellar couple of seasons for club and Scotland.

As previously mentioned, Dobie occupies the other wing but a move to scrum half and you’ve got Kyle Rowe ready to slot in. It’s testament to the performance’s of Steyn and Dobbie that you can name a XV and leave out a player of his ability.

Then at full back it’s a straight choice between Ollie Smith and Josh McKay. We give the nod to the former New Zealand under-20 cap, who becomes eligible for Scotland this year, with Smith then providing excellent cover from the replacements.

Glasgow Warriors strongest starting XV for 2026/27 as it stands: 15 Josh McKay; 14 Kyle Steyn, 13 Stafford McDowall, 12 Sione Tuipulotu, 11 Jamie Dobie; 10 Dan Lancaster, 9 George Horne; 1 Nathan McBeth, 2 Gregor Hiddleston, 3 Zander Fagerson, 4 Scott Cummings, 5 Max Williamson, 6 Gregor Brown, 7 Rory Darge, 8 Matt Fagerson.

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