The Glasgow Warriors are set to clash with Zebre Parma at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi on January 24. This match is crucial, as a victory will secure the Scottish-Italian Shield for the Warriors for the fourth consecutive season. The match kicks off at 7:45 PM UK time.
Team Changes for Zebre Parma Clash
Head Coach Smith has announced several key changes for this match against Zebre Parma. Notable selections include:
- Gregor Hiddleston remains in the front-row after a strong performance against Saracens.
- Murphy Walker makes his return, playing alongside Jamie Bhatti and Hiddleston.
- Max Williamson steps into the starting lineup, partnering with Alex Craig in the engine room.
- Jack Dempsey, recently nominated for the Investec Player of the Year 2025/26, will start at number eight.
- Adam Hastings returns at fly-half after a two-week injury layoff.
Midfield and Back-three Lineup
The midfield combination remains unchanged, featuring Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones. Jones is making his first appearance in the BKT URC for the ongoing 2025/26 season. The back-three lineup has also been consistent, with Ollie Smith, Kyle Steyn, and Kyle Rowe linking up. Both Smith and Steyn scored tries in their last match.
Bench and Replacements
Several players will be ready to contribute from the bench, including:
- Nathan McBeth, making his first appearance since last month’s 1872 Cup victory.
- Zander Fagerson and Seb Stephen are also included in the front-row replacements.
- Euan Ferrie and Matt Fagerson are part of the bench, contributing depth to the squad.
Unavailable Players
Unfortunately, several key players are unavailable due to injuries:
- Jamie Dobie (knee)
- Johnny Matthews (neck)
- Josh McKay (hamstring)
- Fin Richardson (calf)
- Alex Samuel (shoulder)
- Charlie Savala (knee)
- Patrick Schickerling (head)
- Rory Sutherland (head)
- Tavi Tuipulotu (knee)
Coach Smith emphasized the importance of showing their best performance against Zebre, as the opposition boasts a strong home record and several players recently called up to the Italy squad. The Glasgow Warriors aim to maintain their positive momentum heading into this match in the BKT URC.
Fans can watch the match live on Premier Sports or follow updates on El-Balad’s Live Match Centre.
