Glasgow Warriors v Racing 92 - teams and prediction

PREVIEW: Opening another spectacular weekend of European action, Racing 92’s visit to Glasgow Warriors in Pool Four of the Champions Cup’s Round Three.

The hosts, currently second after a Sale Sharks win (38-19) and a hard-fought bonus point loss to Toulon (29-30) in December, will be motivated after retaining the 1872 Cup against Edinburgh over the festive period.

As for Racing 92, their last win in all competitions was their Round One triumph over Harlequins.

They will be looking to turn some unwanted form around for their trip to Scotland.

The Warriors side shows five changes, as Franco Smith’s squad prepares to take on the French outfit.

Having gained seven points from a possible 10 in their two matches in Europe’s premier competition to date, the Warriors go into Friday’s match knowing that a win would all but guarantee a place in the knockout stages for a second successive campaign.

Two of the alterations come in the front row, as a fit-again Johnny Matthews takes his place between British and Irish Lions props Rory Sutherland – who makes his first start since October’s win over Cardiff – and Zander Fagerson.

Gregor Brown and Scott Cummings continue their partnership in the second row, having dove-tailed in the engine room across both legs of the 1872 Cup.

Rory Darge comes into the back row after returning from a head injury at Murrayfield last time out, joining Matt Fagerson and Jack Mann in the back row.

The team’s leading points-scorer in the 2025 Champions Cup starts at scrumhalf, as George Horne returns to the starting XV to partner Tom Jordan in the halfbacks.

An unchanged midfield combination sees Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones paired together in the centres, the former having made 27 carries across his two matches to date in the competition.

Kyle Steyn captains the side from the wing as he makes his first Champions Cup appearance of the campaign, whilst Josh McKay returns from a thigh injury to line up in a back three completed by Sebastian Cancelliere.

There’s a return for another injury absentee on the bench in the form of Euan Ferrie, the East Kilbride product set to make his first appearance since October’s win over Zebre at Scotstoun.

Gregor Hiddleston and Jamie Bhatti rotate to the bench after starting at Murrayfield a fortnight ago, whilst Sam Talakai and Alex Samuel continue in the No.18 and No.19 jerseys respectively.

Ally Miller similarly rotates to the replacements in a six-two split of forwards and backs on the bench, with the backline covered by Jamie Dobie and Duncan Weir for Friday’s showdown.

Racing 92 starts former Glasgow Warrior prop Lucio Sordoni, who joined the team at the start of the season.

However, there is no Gael Fickou – the seasoned French international.

“We know that Racing will pose a tough test for our opening match of the New Year, and we must be ready to meet the challenge they will present,” Smith said.

“They have a squad full of physical forwards and talented backs and can cause problems for any side in Europe on their day.

“We look forward to taking to the field for the first time in 2025 Friday, and look forward to hearing the Warrior Nation behind us.”

(Continue below …)

Prediction

@rugby365com: Glasgow Warriors by 12 points

Teams

Glasgow Warriors: 15 Josh McKay, 14 Seb Cancelliere, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Sione Tuipulotu, 11 Kyle Steyn (captain), 10 Tom Jordan, 9 George Horne, 8 Jack Mann, 7 Rory Darge, 6 Matt Fagerson, 5 Scott Cummings, 4 Gregor Brown, 3 Zander Fagerson, 2 Johnny Matthews, 1 Rory Sutherland.
Replacements: 16 Gregor Hiddleston, 17 Jamie Bhatti, 18 Sam Talakai, 19 Alex Samuel, 20 Ally Miller, 21 Euan Ferrie, 22 Jamie Dobie, 23 Duncan Weir.

Racing 92: 15 Max Spring, 14 Vinaya Habosi, 13 Tristan Tedder, 12 Henry Chavancy, 11 Henry Arundell, 10 Antoine Gibert, 9 Clovis le Bail, 8 Maxime Baudonne, 7 Ibrahim Diallo (captain), 6 Noa Zinzen, 5 Junior Kpoku, 4 Boris Palu, 3 Lucio Sordoni, 2 Feleti Kaitu’u, 1 Lino Julien.
Replacements: 16 Diego Escobar, 17 Eddy Ben Arous, 18 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 19 Romain Taofifenua, 20 Hacjivah Dayimani, 21 Kleo Labarbe, 22 Dan Lancaster, 23 Dylan Idrissi.

Date: Friday, January 10
Venue: Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow
Kick-off: 20.00 (21.00 French time; 20.00 GMT)
Referee: Karl Dickson (England)
Assistant referees: Andrew Jackson (England), John Meredith (England)
TMO: Jack Makepeace (England)