Glasgow eager to finally get off the mark

Clash with fellow-strugglers Montpellier should prove an entertaining affair

Scotland centre Huw Jones dives over the line to score a try against Australia. His return to the starting line-up will be welcomed by Glasgow. Photograph: Andy Buchanan/Getty
Scotland centre Huw Jones dives over the line to score a try against Australia. His return to the starting line-up will be welcomed by Glasgow. Photograph: Andy Buchanan/Getty

Glasgow Warriors v Montpellier, Scotstoun (7.45, live on Sky Sports)

Two teams without a victory in Pool 3 and in the case of the home side without a point, suggesting that the loser here won’t need to concern themselves with keeping a few dates free for the knockout stages of the tournament.

Both are in brilliant form in domestic competitions, Glasgow unbeaten in 10 matches and Montpellier second in the French Top 14.

There is no Stuart Hogg, out injured, but Huw Jones's return to centre provides a sharp edge to the midfield in both footballing ability and pace. Samu Vunisa gets a start at number eight so captain, Ryan Wilson shifts to blindside flanker.

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Montpellier's league-of-nations team includes tournament debuts for Springbok centre Jan Serfontein and former All Black outhalf Aaron Cruden.

It's worth tuning in just to watch Fijian behemoth Nemani Nadolo play, a huge man with delightful skills. Former Ulster scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar is an absentee but it's still a very strong team, backboned by South Africans.

This should be entertaining to watch as neither side will die wondering – as they say.

GLASGOW WARRIORS: R Jackson; L Sarto, H Jones, S Johnson, T Seymour; F Russell, A Price; J Bhatti, G Turner, Z Fagerson; S Cummings, J Gray; R Wilson (capt), C Gibbins, S Vunisa. Replacements: J Malcolm, A Allan, S Halanukonuka, K McDonald, M Smith, G Horne, P Horne, N Matawalu.

MONTPELLIER: J Mogg; B Fall, F Steyn, J Serfontein, N Nadolo; A Cruden, E Sanga; M Nariashvili, B Du Plessis, J Jonker; N Van Rensburg, J Du Plessis; K Galletier, J Bardy, L Picamoles (capt). Replacements: R Ruffenach, G Fichten, M Haouas, K Mikautadze, F Ouedraogo, B Paillaugue, G N'gandebe, H Immelman.

Referee: M Carley (England)

John O'Sullivan

John O'Sullivan

John O'Sullivan is an Irish Times sports writer