URC Preview: Round 2 action for Glasgow and Edinburgh

Glasgow start us off with a Friday night encounter at home against Cardiff at Scotstoun Stadium (kick off 7.35pm) – live on Premier Sports 2.

Warriors make four changes from the defeat away to Benetton last weekend, with Zander Fagerson, Fraser Brown, Scott Cummings and Rory Darge coming into the starting lineup.

This will be Glasgow’s first home game since a 40-12 victory over Zebre Parma on 1 April.

Speaking following selection, Head Coach Franco Smithsaid: “It’s been almost six months since the squad have played in front of their home crowd and everyone has been fighting hard to earn the chance to run out at Scotstoun on Friday night.

“Last weekend’s game was not how we wanted to start our season; however, it has given us valuable insight into what our players have taken away from pre-season and our new game plan.

“We have challenged the players to be brave this Friday, and begin writing our own story going forward.”

Then on Saturday, Edinburgh Rugby head to South Africa to take on Vodacom Bulls at Loftus Versfeld Stadium (kick off 1.30pm BST) – live on Premier Sports 2.

New signing Sam Skinner will make his first start for the club in the second row.

The two other changes to the starting pack from the win against Dragons RFC last Saturday come in the front row as Pierre Schoeman and WP Nel are reintroduced.

Blair Kinghorn, Henry Pyrgos and James Lang also start having all featured from the bench last weekend.

Head Coach Mike Blair, said: “It’s been a good week of training as we once again acclimatise to conditions in South Africa – the squad are raring to go.

“We’ve talked about the brilliant challenge of facing teams like Bulls in their own backyard and that’s added another layer of motivation for us as a team. These are the games you want to be playing in, especially in one of world rugby’s great stadiums like Loftus.

“As we saw last season, Bulls are a hugely physical side with try-scoring threats across the park. We know we’re going to have be at our best this weekend, but we’re thrilled with the opportunity to once again represent Edinburgh and our supporters back home.”