Results have been coming for both Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh Rugby in recent weeks, however the performances haven’t exactly been mesmerising. Both clubs hope their Guinness Pro14 matches against Zebre and the Toyota Cheetahs Friday night can yield some improvement, especially with a tough European rugby schedule looming.

Edinburgh head coach Richard Cockerill has alternated four of his charges ahead of his sides clash with the Toyota Cheetahs at BT Murrayfield (kick-off 7.35pm, live on Premier Sport 2).



Edinburgh enter the contest with their sights set on a fifth consecutive home win, whilst also hoping to put in a bounce back performance after narrowly avoiding a complete capitulation last weekend against Benetton Treviso.

“We’ve named a strong, combative side who’ll be looking to make amends following last weekend’s disappointing performance against Benetton,”said Cockerill Thursday.

“Whilst we were happy with the result and certain aspects of our play, the squad know that there is plenty to improve on if we’re going to challenge in the league.

Cheetahs are a physical, abrasive outfit with quick backs out wide that’ll punish you throughout the 80 minutes. However, we’ve got plenty of belief, especially at home, and I’ve got every confidence that this group of players can bounce back tomorrow night.”

James Johnstone and Juan Pablo Socino are named in the starting XV in the centres, while former Hawick star Darcy Graham makes his first start since February on the wing. Fellow Teri, Rory Sutherland, is the only change in the forward park.

Edinburgh team

15. Blair Kinghorn (68-app), 14. Darcy Graham (6-app),13. James Johnstone (22-app), 12. Juan Pablo Socino (3-app), 11. Duhan van der Merwe (22-app) 10. Simon Hickey (4-app), 9. Henry Pyrgos (4-app), 1. Rory Sutherland (64-app), 2. Stuart McInally (124-app) CAPTAIN, 3. WP Nel (119-app), 4. Ben Toolis (93-app), 5. Grant Gilchrist (124-app), 6. Magnus Bradbury (56-app), 7. Hamish Watson (85-app), 8. Bill Mata (40-app). Replacements: 16. Ross Ford (182-app); 17. Murray McCallum (42-app); 18. Simon Berghan (52-app); 19. Luke Hamilton (4-app); 20. Jamie Ritchie (53-app); 21. Sean Kennedy (63-app); 22. Jaco van der Walt (20-app); 23. Chris Dean (68-app).

For the Glasgow Warriors, Jonny Gray makes a return to familiar leadership duties when the Warriors welcome Zebre to Scotstoun Stadium (Friday 5 October, 7:35pm Live on freesport).

The 24-year-old will done the captains armband whilst co-captains Callum Gibbons and Ryan Wilson are held out of the match 23. Grey is joined in the second-row by Andrew Davidson, who made his debut off the bench against Dragons last weekend.

In the front row, Adam Nicol makes his maiden Warriors start and is joined by George Turner, who replaces Fraser Brown. Adam Ashe and Chris Fusaro take over from from Gibbons and Wilson in the backrow.

Rory Hughes, who has featured for Tennent’s Premiership outfit Ayr over the previous five weeks, plays his first Pro14 game of the season.

On the substitutes bench USA international Tevita Tameilau, who joined the club during the summer, could make his long awaited Glasgow Warriors debut and Glasgow Hawks hooker, Grant Stewart, is involved in a matchday 23 for the first time this season.

“Zebre are a really dangerous side, they are one of the leading teams in the comp in terms of offloads and line-breaks, so defensively we’ll have to be at our best,”

said Warriors head coach, Dave Rennie.

“We’re looking forward to seeing Tevita (Tameilau) off the bench. He arrived late but has worked hard and hopefully supporters will get a chance to see his physicality and athleticism when he comes on.”

Glasgow Warriors team

15. Ruaridh Jackson (139-app). 14. Lee Jones (77-app), 13. Huw Jones (10-app), 12. Alex Dunbar (115-app), 11. Rory Hughes (34-app), 10. Adam Hastings (14-app),9. George Horne (24-app), 1. Oli Kebble (13-app), 2. George Turner (24-app), 3. Adam Nicol (6-app), 4. Andrew Davidson (1-app), 5. Jonny Gray (90-app), 6. Adam Ashe (56-app), 7. Chris Fusaro (146-app), 8. Matt Fagerson (29-app), 13. Substitutes: 16. Grant Stewart (7-app), 17. Alex Allan (78-app), 18. D’Arcy Rae (44-app), 19. Greg Peterson (30-app), 20. Matt Smith (18-app), 21. Tevita Tameilau (0), 22. Pete Horne (142-app), 23. Niko Matawalu (95-app).

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