Huw Jones will return for Glasgow Warriors as Franco Smith makes X changes to his team for the United Rugby Championship clash with the Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday.
Jones did not feature in the Champions Cup knockout matches against Toulon or the Bulls, with Stafford McDowall preferred, but now the pair will link up in the Glasgow midfield, with Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu dropping to the bench.
Another Scotland international, Kyle Rowe and U20 cap Fergus Watson return on the wings, while there is a first Glasgow start for scrum-half Jack Oliver at the iconic Ellis Park.
Jack Oliver made his Glasgow Warriors debut in January and has now signed a first full-time contract (Image: David Gibson/Fotosport/Shutterstock)
Up front, Smith has opted for an all-new front row of Rory Sutherland, Seb Stephen and Fin Richardson.
Jare Oguntibeju and Alex Samuel are Glasgow's last fit senior locks, so start again.
Rory Darge has not made the trip to South Africa, with his partner expecting their first child this week, so Sione Vailanu takes over in the number seven jersey, with Euan Ferrie stepping in for Matt Fagerson on the blindside flank. Jack Dempsey continues at number eight.
On the bench, Scotland international Nathan McBeth returns for the first time since suffering an ankle injury during the Six Nations and Scotland U20 cap Ryan Burke could make his debut.
It is a sign of Glasgow's stretched resources that Smith's back-five replacements are academy prospects Burke and Dylan Cockburn, who has just one senior appearance to his name, and converted hooker, now back-row, Angus Fraser.
With Sione Tuipulotu and Ben Afshar covering the back division, McDowall is likely to be the back-up fly-half with Adam Hastings also ruled out of the tour due to a head injury suffered last weekend.
And the Warriors boss is expecting a tough test against the Lions, who put 50 points on Edinburgh Rugby last month.
Smith said: "The Lions pose one of the toughest away tests in the URC, defending a strong home record as they chase a place in the playoffs.
“Their brand of rugby can cause problems for any team, with a blend of physical forwards and backs that can run the ball from anywhere on the field.
“It is a test that we have prepared for in training this week, and one that we know we must be at our best to meet.”
Lions vs Glasgow Warriors - the teams
Lions: Quan Horn, Angelo Davids, Henco van Wyk, Richard Kriel, Erich Cronje, Chris Smith, Morne van den Berg, SJ Kotze, PJ Botha, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Etienne Oosthuizen, Darrien Landsberg, Siba Mahashe, Ruan Venter, Francke Horn (captain)
Replacements: Franco Marais, Eddie Davids, Sebastian Lombard, Reinhard Nothnagel, Batho Hlekani, JC Pretorius, Nico Steyn, Kelly Mpeku
Glasgow Warriors: Josh McKay, Kyle Rowe, Huw Jones, Stafford McDowall (captain), Fergus Watson, Dan Lancaster, Jack Oliver; Rory Sutherland, Seb Stephen, Fin Richardson, Jare Oguntibeju, Alex Samuel, Euan Ferrie, Sione Vailanu, Jack Dempsey
Replacements: Gregor Hiddleston, Nathan McBeth, Zander Fagerson, Dylan Cockburn, Ryan Burke, Angus Fraser, Ben Afshar, Sione Tuipulotu
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