Rufus McLean returns as Glasgow Warriors make four changes for La Rochelle
The inclusion of McLean for his Champions Cup debut comes at the expense of Cole Forbes and is one of four changes to the side which suffered a 52-17 hammering at the hands of Exeter Chiefs last weekend.
Glasgow are currently eighth in Pool A and need to maintain that position or improve on it if they are to reach the last 16. This is their final match of the group stage.
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Hide AdAmong the other changes, Fraser Brown takes over as starting hooker from George Turner, who is on the bench. Brown will captain the team.
Richie Gray returns from injury to the second row in place of Kiran McDonald, who is among the replacements, and Oli Kebble is picked as loosehead prop ahead of Jamie Bhatti, who is also on the bench.
Tighthead Simon Berghan is in line for his first appearance since the opening match of the 2021-22 season after recovering from injury to take his place amongst the replacements.
Club co-captain Ryan Wilson is also among the substitutes.
Glasgow coach Danny Wilson said: “Having been in the lead 17-14 after 50 minutes we were really disappointed with the final 30 minutes of the game against Exeter. We have the opportunity to put that right on Saturday night against La Rochelle.
“It’s great to welcome back Rufus McLean, Richie Gray and Simon Berghan into the 23.
“La Rochelle are a powerful team with a quality player base and one of the big European team over recent years. We're looking forward to the challenge of welcoming them to Scotstoun.”
If Glasgow finish ninth, tenth or 11th in the 12-team Pool A they will drop into the Challenge Cup. A bottom-place finish would see them eliminated from Europe.
Glasgow Warriors (v La Rochelle, Heineken Champions Cup, Scotstoun, Saturday, 8pm. TV: live on BT Sport 2)
15. Josh McKay
14. Kyle Steyn
13. Sione Tuipulotu
12. Sam Johnson
11. Rufus McLean
10. Ross Thompson
9. Ali Price
1. Oli Kebble
2. Fraser Brown (c)
3. Zander Fagerson
4. Scott Cummings
5. Richie Gray
6. Matt Fagerson
7. Rory Darge
8. Jack Dempsey
Substitutes
16. George Turner
17. Jamie Bhatti
18. Simon Berghan
19. Kiran McDonald
20. Ryan Wilson
21. George Horne
22. Duncan Weir
23. Ollie Smith
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