URC Play-Offs: Glasgow Warriors vs Connacht Line-Ups Confirmed - Tuipulotu vs Aki headlines

Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu lines up against Ireland's resident wrecking ball Bundee Aki, in a block-buster clash between the former British & Irish Lions midfield pair. The battle between Tuipulotu and Aki could well prove decisive, with two of the URC’s most destructive ball carriers set to collide in Glasgow.

Tuipulotu lines up alongside Stafford McDowall for the hosts, while Connacht pair Aki and John Devine will look to punch holes in the Warriors defence.

British & Irish Lions second-row Scott Cummings will make his long-awaited return from injury as Glasgow Warriors host Connacht Rugby in Friday night’s BKT United Rugby Championship quarter-final at Scotstoun.

The Scotland international has not featured since January’s victory over Zebre Parma, but comes straight back into Franco Smith’s starting XV for one of the biggest games of Glasgow’s season.

Cummings partners Alex Samuel in the engine room as the defending URC champions name a side packed with international quality. Patrick Schickerling, Johnny Matthews and Zander Fagerson form the front row, while an all-Scotland back row of Matt Fagerson, Rory Darge and Jack Dempsey adds further firepower.

In the backs, George Horne and Dan Lancaster continue their half-back partnership, while there is a blockbuster midfield clash as former British & Irish Lions teammates Sione Tuipulotu and Bundee Aki go head-to-head. Kyle Steyn captains Glasgow from the wing in an unchanged back three alongside Kyle Rowe and Josh McKay.

Speaking ahead of the game, Glasgow head coach Franco Smith said: “Connacht will present a strong challenge tomorrow evening. They have a well-drilled squad full of talent, and come here as one of the most in-form teams in the competition.

“We are pleased to welcome Scott back into our matchday 23 after his injury layoff – he has worked hard and worked closely with our medical and S&C teams to put himself in the best possible position ahead of his return.

“We know the difference that the Warrior Nation can make, and we look forward to hearing them get behind the team at Scotstoun as we kick off the playoffs tomorrow night.”

Connacht boss Stuart Lancaster has also been boosted by the return of hooker Dylan Tierney-Martin and lock Darragh Murray, while Cian Prendergast captains the province from blindside flanker.

Lancaster said: “This is exactly where we wanted to be at the start of the season, so credit must go to all the players for what they’ve displayed in the last few months to get us to this position. Now we have to go out there and seize the opportunity.

“Glasgow are a formidable opponent especially away from home, with an array of talented players who are very well coached, but we are excited by the challenge ahead of us.”

15 Josh McKay; 14 Kyle Steyn (c), 13 Stafford McDowall, 12 Sione Tuipulotu, 11 Kyle Rowe; 10 Dan Lancaster, 9 George Horne; 1 Patrick Schickerling, 2 Johnny Matthews, 3 Zander Fagerson, 4 Scott Cummings, 5 Alex Samuel, 6 Matt Fagerson, 7 Rory Darge, 8 Jack Dempsey.

Replacements: (16-23) Gregor Hiddleston, Rory Sutherland, Sam Talakai, Jare Oguntibeju, Euan Ferrie, Sione Vailanu, Jack Oliver, Ollie Smith.

15 Sam Gilbert; 14 Shane Jennings, 13 John Devine, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Shayne Bolton; 10 Josh Ioane, 9 Ben Murphy; 1 Billy Bohan, 2 Dylan Tierney-Martin, 3 Sam Illo, 4 Josh Murphy, 5 Darragh Murray, 6 Cian Prendergast (c), 7 Shamus Hurley-Langton, 8 Paul Boyle.

Replacements: (16-23) Dave Heffernan, Peter Dooley, Finlay Bealham, Joe Joyce, Sean O’Brien, Matthew Devine, Hugh Gavin, Seán Naughton.