Scottish Rugby

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Jamie Dobie will start at scrum-half for Glasgow Warriors against Toulouse on Saturday in the only change from last weekend's victory over Sale.

Versatile Scotland back Dobie replaces George Horne for the Champions Cup clash at Scotstoun against the five-time winners.

In an unchanged forward pack, Matt Fagerson, Rory Darge and Jack Dempsey form an all-Scotland back row.

Kyle Steyn captains Glasgow from the wing, while Stafford McDowall and Sione Tuipulotu continue in the centres.

"We were pleased to open our Champions Cup campaign with a win last weekend, yet we know that there are still more levels to come from this group as we continue to build," head coach Franco Smith said.

"Toulouse possess one of the deepest squads in European rugby and have a proud record in this competition, and we know the scale of the test that awaits us tomorrow night."

Glasgow: McKay, Steyn, McDowall, Tuipulotu, Smith, Hastings, Dobie; McBeth, Hiddleston, Z Fagerson, Williamson, Cummings, M Fagerson, Darge, Dempsey.

Replacements: Stephen, Sutherland, Talakai, Craig, Brown, Miller, Horne, Lancaster.

BBC Sport Scotland's Andy Burke has been answering some of your Scottish rugby questions.

VIPip asked: Edinburgh and Glasgow showed some amount of mental resilience and no soft underbelly to win against Toulon and Sale Sharks respectively. Why can't these same players, especially in the forwards, not do that for Scotland?

Andy answered: Well the first thing to say, and it's a fairly obvious point, is Test rugby is a significant step up even from the Champions Cup. The pressure and intensity are a different level.

These were two brilliant results for Glasgow and Edinburgh, make no mistake about it, but round one of the Champions Cup compared with the knockout stages – far less Test rugby – are two different beasts.

I do think it all comes back to psychology. Scottish players have proved they can go toe to toe with the best sides for spells in matches and even produce the odd victory, but when it comes to the absolute crunch of a must-win game – whether that be latter stages of the Champions Cup or in Six Nations and World Cups – they have generally been found wanting.

Glasgow's run to the URC title in 2024 was the exception rather than the rule.

The best sides save their best for the biggest games and most find another gear when the big prizes are in sight. Scotland need to find that next level if they are to compete for trophies.

RDW asked: Edinburgh have a really strong pack but there's no doubt the backs need significant improvement, albeit they also have some talented youngsters in the squad. Is it time to push the boat out to land a high value half-back or centre if we can, or stick with the youth?

Andy answered: Edinburgh's midfield has long been a problem area. They have never quite been able to find settled combinations between 10-12 and 12-13, which pretty much all the top teams possess.

Ross Thompson and Ben Healy have both, for a variety of reasons, failed to make the 10 jersey their own, but I thought Cammy Scott's performance against Toulon was very impressive. He should get a run at stand-off to see if he's the man to get this backline ticking.

A proper lynchpin at 12 would be a priority for me. A playmaker who can also make inroads at the gainline would be invaluable.

The hope was Mosese Tuipulotu would be that figure, much like his brother is for Glasgow. He has a slowish start to his Edinburgh career and unfortunately injury has robbed him of the chance to kick on.

Hopefully he can return and take his game to another level, but 12 is definitely a position to look at when it comes to new recruits.

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Ollie Blyth-Lafferty wants to push himself into contention for a Scotland call-up after signing his first professional contract with Edinburgh.

The 19-year-old tighthead prop made an impressive first start for the club in the terrific Champions Cup victory over Toulon last weekend.

"It was absolutely amazing coming up against Toulon and doing it at home as well," Blyth-Lafferty told BBC Scotland.

"Getting to put that many points on them and starting also. It was an amazing week going into it and then to top it off with a win - absolutely brilliant.

"Definitely a memory for a long time. Absolutely loved it."

Blyth-Lafferty admits he was nervous after being told he was being pitched in from the start against the three-time European champions.

"At first it was a bit scary to be honest, but through the week I got a lot more confident," he said.

"A lot of the older guys, more experienced players, like Grant Gilchrist and Magnus Bradbury, they definitely helped me out and built that confidence.

"By the time we came out into game day, I just felt more excited than anything else. The nerves definitely died down as the week went on."

Having had a taste top level rugby, Blyth-Lafferty wants to push himself and play in more big games.

"At first I didn't really know what was going to be next for me, but getting to sign a full pro deal at my hometown, Edinburgh, is amazing," he said.

"It's something I've wanted to do since I was a wee boy. Getting to do that is a dream come true, to be honest.

"I just want to go as far as I can with my rugby. There's definitely still a lot of work to be done.

"I'd say for me, playing for Scotland would be the goal now and hopefully tick that off eventually, but I know that there's still a lot I need to do and a lot I need to work on if I want to get that. It's exciting but it's definitely going to be a long run for me."

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Ben Vellacott says Edinburgh's statement victory over Toulon has provided momentum going into a crucial period of the season.

The capital side will look to build on that terrific start to their Champions Cup campaign when they travel to France to face Castres on Sunday before heading into a festive double-header against rivals Glasgow Warriors.

"I think it's just us given a little bit of momentum," Vellacott told BBC Scotland.

"Obviously, we were pretty disappointed with the Ospreys game. We came out of a win, but it was a pretty gritty performance.

"To come out against a star-studded Toulon and win was pretty cool. It just gives us momentum and that's what you want, especially coming up into Christmas.

"We've obviously got the 1872 games coming up against Glasgow. It just gives you momentum, a bit of confidence going into those games."

Despite the confidence taken from beating the French giants, Vellacott insists nobody at Edinburgh is getting carried away by one victory.

"We've literally played one good game and we're saying that we're world beaters," said the scrum-half.

"We've got to keep grounded and put in good performances. It's another chance this weekend against a strong Castres.

"The beauty about rugby is you can win one week and then you lose the next, it all comes tumbling down.

"I've been there in those situations when you're on those highs. At the same time, you can really go straight down to those lows.

"I've used the word momentum quite a bit and honestly, if we can ride that, then we'll get another win and we can ride that momentum."

Tom English and Andy Burke answer audience questions and analyse Edinburgh and Glasgow's wins in the Champions Cup.

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Scotland and British and Irish Lions prop Rory Sutherland says it was an "easy decision" to sign a new contract with Glasgow Warriors until the summer of 2028.

The 31-year-old has become an important member of Franco Smith's side since arriving on a two-year deal from from French side Oyonnax last year.

"I've really enjoyed the season and a half I've had here so far," Sutherland said.

"The boys and the coaches have made me feel really welcome and I'm enjoying my rugby, so it was an easy decision to re-sign.

"The move to Glasgow has been great for my family, too. It's given us a sense of stability, and it's been so good to have them coming to games regularly. There's a great family feel to the club.

"The quality we have in this group is so impressive. I knew a lot of the guys from Scotland camp prior to arriving in Glasgow, but the senior academy lads have also really stood up and impressed for the club. There's an exciting future in store, for sure."

Sutherland, who has 46 Scotland caps, is a "strong role model" for Glasgow's young players, says head coach Smith.

He added: "We're pleased to be able to secure Rory's services for the foreseeable future as we continue to build strength in depth across every position.

"He has fully bought into what we are building here ever since arriving at Scotstoun, bringing good energy and commitment to the jersey."

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Edinburgh's young talents will be key to the side finding the consistency they have long been searching for, according to assistant coach Stevie Lawrie.

The likes of Ollie Blyth-Lafferty, 19, and 21-year-old back-row Liam McConnell were instrumental as Edinburgh opened their Champions Cup campaign with a stunning victory over three-times champions Toulon.

Backing up one big performance with another has been a long-standing issue at the capital club, something they will hope to do when they travel to face French side Castres on Sunday.

"For us, it's about making sure our environment is as consistent as possible and that's the way you're going to get it," Lawrie told BBC Scotland.

"I look at the young boys coming through now, the likes of Ollie Blyth-Lafferty and Liam McConnell and Freddie Douglas, these guys are coming through and they're pushing a standard.

"I think that only bodes well to being consistent week in, week out so no matter what team takes the paddock, we're consistent and we're able to perform."

Tighthead prop has long been identified as a problem position for the national team, with few top-quality options behind Glasgow's Zander Fagerson, and hopes are high that Blyth-Lafferty can help fill the void.

Lawrie believes the youngster is in the best possible place to develop his game and learn from some of Edinburgh's seasoned campaigners.

"He's a young tighthead prop and it'll be a big challenge again this week out at Castres," Lawrie said.

"Ollie's somebody that's willing to learn, always asking questions, loves his craft and he's in there with good boys as well.

"He scrummages against a British and Irish Lion in Pierre Schoeman and a Springbok in Boan Venter, so that creates a pretty competitive environment for a young tighthead."

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Glasgow Warriors fly-half Adam Hastings admits Saturday's Champions Cup clash with Toulouse is a "massive" test and feels it would be one of the biggest Scotstoun "scalps" if they were able to beat the competition's most successful team.

The French outfit have lifted the famous trophy six times and boast the likes of France captain Antoine Dupont and Scotland full-back Blair Kinghorn in their squad.

Even though radio silence is being maintained for the moment, the Warriors number 10 is fully expecting to catch up with his international team-mate.

It's very much a case of business first, though, with the sold-out glamour game representing a big step up, even from the win at Sale on matchday one.

"Yeah, massive," Hastings agreed.

"Obviously they've won the tournament a number of times now and they're at a great level obviously. Dupont's back fit now, they were missing him so it should be exciting.

"You want to test yourself against the best teams and really see where you're at so everyone's pretty excited.

"He's one of the best players in the world, so it'll be exciting for us and something we need to focus on, but they've got a lot of quality across that team in pretty much every position.

"We'll spend a bit of time previewing them this week but a lot of the focus will be on ourselves and what we can do to nullify their threats."

As well as the challenge of facing Dupont, Hastings is looking forward to seeing Kinghorn again, as well as potentially getting one over on him to deliver a seismic result for the Glasgow side against a team they haven't faced for over a decade.

"We've not had any comms this week so I'll give him a ring later on and see what time he gets here and what hotel they're staying at," the 29-year-old added.

"I don't know when the last time Glasgow played Toulouse would have been but I think, definitely, it would be one of the biggest scalps we could take."

Grant Young
Fan writer

European road victory are always sweet.

After the humiliating loss to Scarlets, Glasgow bounced back in style by taking down English Premiership side Sale Sharks in the Champions Cup opener.

A near fully new starting line-up and the return of many of Glasgow's top stars delivered. A decisive second-half onslaught took the Warriors, with the weather on their side, to victory.

It's tough to single out the top performers. A statement Stafford McDowall performance in his 100th game for the club. Josh McKay a deserved player of the game. The return of Zander Fagerson, the extra metres Jack Dempsey makes in collision. Captain fantastic Kyle Steyn.

The players coming back from international duties not only stepped up but showed those waiting in the wings the standards required to displace them.

There is still room to improve. Both nines made a few kicking mistakes and that should drive them to be better.

There are so many games over the festive period and it will be curious what line-up we see this weekend against Toulouse before the 1872 Cup clash.

The French giants can call upon Thomas Ramos, Ange Capuozzo, and the most dynamic nine in the history of rugby, Antoine Dupont. An exciting game for Glasgow who should believe that at home anything is possible.

Sandy Smith
Fan writer

It's possible the win against Toulon was Edinburgh's best ever under the watch of Sean Everitt.

Such things are highly subjective so it's hard to be certain but given the quality of the opposition I'd have to put it right up there.

I'd had some pre-match worries around the composition of our backline and the quality of the opposition and after seven minutes those doubts were building.

My fears were entirely unfounded however and after the first 20 minutes we kept one of the giants of French rugby tryless for the remainder of the game.

Our forwards scrummed down 19 times, which is more than they have in any other game this season, and seven of Edinburgh's starting forwards were in the top 10 for tackles. Liam McConnell, a deserved man of the match, topped the chart with 20.

Despite the conditions the team as a whole were highly disciplined. They only gave away three penalties, which was the least of any side in the Champions Cup over the weekend.

It wasn't a game for fancy back moves but the last-minute centre partnership of James Lang and Wes Goosen did well and an assured, confident and inventive display at 10 from Cammy Scott should surely see him leading the way for the foreseeable future. Ben Vellacott, who had seemed a bit off it last week, was also excellent.

It needs to be said this should have been a bit easier. Matthew Carley firstly ruled out Darcy Graham's try for a highly debatable knock on. Clear and obvious? Hardly.

Secondly, David Ribbans' yellow card could have easily been a red. However, perhaps the most egregious decision or lack thereof was failing to give a yellow card following the penalty try.

Boan Venter's introduction was key to that score and his late try which secured the bonus point was the icing on the cake.

We have now played Toulon three times and beaten them three times. Is it time to claim we are their bogey team?

We return to Castres this weekend and our record against them is played eight, won seven, so we should travel with confidence.

Sandy Smith can be found at The Burgh Watch, external

Got any burning questions on Scottish rugby after two excellent wins for Edinburgh and Glasgow in the Champions Cup?

Send in your questions to Tom English and Andy Burke via this link and a selection of answers will be published on this page later in the week.

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Assistant coach Scott Forrest says the challenge for Glasgow Warriors is "to go and win trophies" and that they are relishing the prospect of facing the most successful side in Champions Cup history this weekend.

Toulouse, who have won the competition six times, visit Scotstoun on Saturday and although Forrest is undaunted by the size of the task, he acknowledges the French side "pose a threat all over the pitch".

Their weapons include the global game's biggest star - France's captain and superstar scrum-half Antoine Dupont.

"We want to progress as far as possible," Forrest told BBC Sport Scotland.

"Our challenge is to go and win trophies. Every competition that we play in, we want to go and win it. We believe we can with the squad we've got.

"We've won our first game [at Sale] of the pool and winning away from home is obviously a big thing. But for us, and any team that wants to progress in European competition, you've got to win your home games.

"We'll shine a light on that, but any team coming to Scotland know it's on the plastic pitch, there is a full crowd behind us and it is going to be tough for them."

Even if Dupont, just back from a long-term injury, is rested, Toulouse have a myriad other top players including Scotland full-back Blair Kinghorn and a fearsome pack full of what Forrest calls "very large human beings".

"It's a big challenge. But we also know that Scotland is a very hard place for other teams to come and play," he added.

"We don't lose many games at home. It's probably one of the toughest challenges we're going to get, and it would obviously be a massive result.

"Off the back of Friday night, winning away from home [Sale], to then back that up at home against a team like Toulouse, it would be pretty big. "

"Toulouse are a quality team. They've got a really strong history in the competition, they're littered with quality international players, but then you could say the same about us.

"It's a one-off game and in a one-off game, we're pretty confident that if we get things right, at home, it could be a pretty special night."

Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

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Battle of the nines

Ben White spoke pre-match about how much he was looking forward to coming to Edinburgh and play in the shadow of Murrayfield, where he has so often impressed for Scotland.

For the opening 20 minutes, he was the star of the show. He scored Toulon's first try with a quick snipe from a ruck while his second score was a brilliant piece of ingenuity, taking the quick tap and propelling himself over the line like a short-range missile.

When Ben Vellacott tried a break of his own, he was soon halted and held onto the ball when isolated. White's reaction to his opposite man? A patronising little rub of his hair.

It was Vellacott who would have the last laugh though, leaping over in the corner for Edinburgh's second as the hosts went on to win.

Scotland's number one number two

Ewan Ashman provided the first two tries for Edinburgh and was instrumental in the third and fourth, too.

His brilliant ball-carrying got Edinburgh up the pitch time and again, and his eye-catching running gate makes him look like a wind-up toy on the rampage.

As well as the power up front, he's shown he has the ball skills to match. While the line-out wasn't the best given the horrendous conditions, he has improved his throwing stats this season and has been one of the best in the URC.

Dave Cherry was Scotland's first-choice number two in last year's Six Nations, but it has to be Ashman this year.

Edinburgh's fountain of youth finally flourishing

Eyebrows were raised when Edinburgh announced their team. A full debut for 19-year-old tightead Ollie Blyth-Lafferty up against France's first-choice loosehead Jean-Baptiste Gros.

New Scotland cap Liam McConnell continued his run in the team.

Cammy Scott was given just a third start in the number 10 jersey, while 21-year-old Fin Thomson was picked to start in midfield, although he pulled out just before kick off through injury.

Blyth-Lafferty acquitted himself brilliantly, while McConnell and Scott battled it out for player of the match, the former winning the award.

Both showed maturity beyond their years against a French side that are currently second in the Top 14, with years of experience on both.

McConnell was his usual tenacious, importunate self while Scott was measured, controlled and kicked almost impeccably from hand.

McConnell is now impossible to drop for Edinburgh, and it would be no surprise to see him make a Six Nations matchday squad. Scott still has a way to go, but at 24 he has time on his side. Right now, he holds the jersey for his club. Can he step up?

We asked for your views after bonus-point victories in the Champions Cup for both Glasgow and Edinburgh, against Sale and Toulon, respectively.

Here's what you had to say on the two performances:

Sale 21-26 Glasgow Warriors

Chris: Gregor Hiddleston and Seb Stephen - take a bow. Brilliant performances from both - penalty at the end aside, which the canny Tom Curry bought, they were fantastic. Future looks bright at two. Amazing what a week's difference makes (and a win!). Can't wait to see the boys take on the French Giants!

Andy: George Horne made a big difference when he came on last week, but his kicking from hand is still inconsistent, but it is worrying that Jamie Dobie's decision making on when and how deep to kick has been poor in the last three or four games for Glasgow and Scotland. He gave away possession three times with poor kicks and let Sale back into contention.

Robert: Much more like Warriors, the forwards set the platform with some standout performers, the low penalty count never gave Sale inroads and Kyle Steyn and Josh McKay were superb in difficult conditions, great to have Zander Fagerson up and running again, such an important player for Glasgow.

Jamie: With the best team out, Glasgow have the mental fortitude and flair to beat the good teams. Never frightened to throw wide at every occasion, they look for holes in the opposition defence and create overlaps. The issue is the depth of the squad which is why they can be soundly beaten by Scarlets then win against Sale. Great result.

Stuart: Great win for the Warriors on the road. Team played really well and didn't give up. 14 points down and hit them for 26 points unanswered. Weather conditions were bad, particularly the wind, and my hat goes off to McKay for his great display with the high balls. The team played as a team and the replacements played their part too. Stephen had some great carries when he came on.

Kenny: A good win on the road at a venue that can be tricky. Rory Darge nailed it in saying that the Warriors did not panic despite going two tries down early in the match. Some might complain that we should have held on to the significant lead but Sale are a classy side and were always going to battle on to the end of the match.

Edinburgh 33-20 Toulon

Stair: What a night at the Hive! Great to see the younger players tearing into Toulon. This was the performance that we waited all last season for. Worth getting soaked for.

Steve: On my most optimistic day, I did not see this coming. We'll gloss over the first seven minutes as they didn't matter in the final tally, but from then on it was a gutsy, controlled and importantly disciplined performance. Being Edinburgh though, there's only a 50/50 chance this team will pitch up next week.

Anon: Liam McConnell was immense tonight, Cammy Scott cool as a cucumber, and Ollie Blyth-Rafferty sensational first start for the young man. If we can make this the minimum standard, Edinburgh will doing OK.

Bruce: Real gutsy performance played out in terrible conditions. I did not see that coming after last weekend's under-par win over Ospreys. The quality of rugby by both sides was remarkable considering the match was played out entirely in bucketing rain. Well done Edinburgh, great show of steel and grit.

Stu: Massive win against the best scrum in the Top14. Blyth-Lafferty, Scott, and McConnell all excellent for guys who haven't played much. If Edinburgh can just play with intensity like that week in, week out then they can be dangerous.

Martin: Why can't Edinburgh play like this in the URC games. They came out of the trap with fire in their bellies. Great all round performance in very trying conditions

A huge result for Edinburgh, who maintain their 100% record over Toulon, the European giants.

And in their first Champions Cup match in two years, they secure a bonus-point win over a side that have won this trophy three times.

One of the greatest nights their fans will have seen.

Let us know your thoughts here.

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Edinburgh head coach Sean Everitt: "It is pleasing when you work on something all week. We knew it was going to rain, it was predicted.

"Happy for Cammy Scott and the way he managed game. I thought he was brilliant tonight, you would never be able to tell it was only his third start.

"The pack did their job against a massive team from France so I'm really proud of the boys.

"You get worried at six minutes when you're 10-0 down on the scoreboard but the guys fought back and showed composure.

"The message behind the poles immediately was defensively, we have to stop the momentum off nine, and the guys got back to task.

"We left acres of space out there in the previous game, and we were quite hard on the players and they took accountability for that. Tonight, the guys delivered.

"Liam [McConnell] has been amazing for us. He only made his debut earlier this year, and he came back in pre-season in such good nick. His performances have shown the work he's done. He's grown in every performance, and we saw that for Scotland.

"Young Freddy Douglas was on the park, 19-year-old Ollie Blyth-Lafferty against a power pack and he did very well."

Glasgow Warriors recovered from 14 points down to defeat Sale Sharks 26-21 in Friday's Champions Cup opener.

Have your say on Glasgow's win via this link

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Rory Darge says Glasgow Warriors "never really panicked" as they recovered from 14-0 down to beat hosts Sale Sharks in their Champions Cup opener.

Warriors collected a bonus-point win after Gregor Hiddleston, Darge, Kyle Steyn and Stafford McDowall crossed, with McDowall marking his 100th Glasgow appearance with a try.

"If you want to do well in the competition, you've got to go and perform well away from home and go and win so we're absolutely delighted with that," Scotland flanker Darge, 25, told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"We've been here before as a squad, 14-0 down or two scores down and come back on the right side of it so that belief comes from that - the fact that we've done it before.

"We never really panicked in that situation and just stuck to what we know works.

"We don't want to give every team a 14-0 head start so there will be things in that that we can do better. The work we did in the first half against the wind really paid dividends in the second half.

"As a whole, the pack did a really good job and the backs complimented it and, yeah, we are delighted."

Franco Smith's side take on Toulouse at home next Saturday.

"Sale away into Toulouse at home, it doesn't get much harder than that," added Darge.

"It's huge. We know they're going to send their best and come and look to get a result at Scotstoun. It's a place where we really pride ourselves so we're just looking forward to going against one of the best teams in Europe."

Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

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Sometimes, a cup game can offer the perfect tonic to league duties. A pleasant distraction from every day life, a momentum-builder that can kick-start a season.

It's hard to see that being the case for Edinburgh.

While they secured a narrow win over the Ospreys last weekend, they now welcome French giants Toulon to the Hive before a trip across the Channel to face Castres.

Two sterner fixtures you could not wish for ahead of the 1872 Cup double-header, and Edinburgh's credentials are already being sternly examined following a less-than-promising start to the league.

Young gunners offer small green shoots

Sean Everett's side made hard work of defeating an Ospreys side that was seriously depleted.

The capital side offered younger players the chance for a hit out. New Scotland cap Harri Morris made a first start at hooker, but he makes way for Ewan Ashman this time.

Liam McConnell continues at blindside and fellow 21-year-old Fin Thomson starts just his third pro game at centre after his player-of-the-match display last weekend.

Ollie Blyth-Lafferty, 19, gets his first start at tighthead prop having debuted from the bench against Ospreys.

Darcy Graham is back on the right wing, with eight changes overall.

Dylan Richardson and club captain Magnus Bradbury return to the back-row, with Harry Paterson getting a first start of the season at full-back.

Scotland stars must turn up

It's been a tricky season so far for Everett. His side have lost three games - two by a one-point margin - including a damaging loss away to regular URC bottom-dwellers Zebre.

An optimist would look at those results and say, well they've only lost by a combined total of five point, that's three losing bonus points they've picked up.

But instead there is a fanbase quickly losing patience with the head coach, now in his third season, with those defeats playing into the narrative that this team are soft.

It is a squad littered with talent and, like many Edinburgh coaches before him, Everett is not getting the best out of them.

In no player is that more apparent than Duhan van der Merwe. Scotland's record try-scorer had a stinker against the Ospreys and looks no closer to the player who left England's defence in tatters back in February 2024.

That was the apex of his international career, which is now under threat after five years as a Scotland regular.

He lost his place in the starting XV this autumn with Kyle Steyn preferred for the losses to New Zealand and Argentina. Van der Merwe came off the bench in the latter, as Scotland collapsed from 21-0 up to 24-33 down.

His form at Edinburgh has been much-maligned, in stark contrast to the magic he has so often produced for Gregor Townsend. Now, he is struggling on two fronts.

But this is a big game, the first in a series of four. These are the games that Van der Merwe has typically shown up in. Can he do that again, and can his team-mates?

Edinburgh: Paterson, Graham, Goosen, Thomson, Van der Merwe, Scott, Vellacott; Schoeman, Ashman, Blyth-Lafferty, Sykes, Gilchrist, McConnell, Richardson, Bradbury (capt).

Replacements: Morris, Venter, Hill, Young, Douglas, Shiel, Lang, O'Conor.

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Scotland star Zander Fagerson will make his first Glasgow Warriors appearance of the season as part of 13 changes to the side for their Champions Cup opener against Sale Sharks.

Franco Smith's team sustained one of their most humiliating defeats of recent times last weekend, humbled 23-0 by an understrength Scarlets side in Llanelli.

They now have to try and bounce back in the premier European competition, a tournament that they have similar scars from.

It was back in April that they were crushed 52-0 by pre-tournament favourites Leinster in Dublin, a game in which Smith said Glasgow were "bullied in every part of the game".

While most of those who felt the brunt of a surprisingly strong Scarlets will not play a part on Friday night, there are seven players starting who were involved in the humiliation at the Aviva.

What has changed for Glasgow since that day? Should they be aiming for another Champions Cup run? Or should attention turn to back to the United Rugby Championship after the slip-up in south Wales?

To say the loss and manner of defeat by the Scarlets was a shock would be an understatement.

Yes, it was a young and inexperienced Glasgow side, but the Scarlets were also missing several key men, busy playing for Wales in the out-of-window international against the Springboks.

URC veterans Jamie Bhatti, Johnny Matthews, Stafford McDowall, Kyle Rowe and Josh McKay all played last week and none showed the kind of intensity and desire usually associated with a Glasgow performance.

Instead of digging his players out too much, head coach Smith heaped praise on the Scarlets - winless all season up until that game - and bemoaned Scottish Rugby's new Scots-first policy.

"There were guys like Henco Venter and those guys last year helped us to step up in these types of games," Smith told the media. "Not because they only made us win, but they also helped the youngsters that don't play that often."

If he shielded his players post-match, there's no doubt that Smith would have been furious behind closed doors.

No surprise then, that just two players remain from the starting XV that day - Ollie Smith and McDowall - with another two dropping to the bench in Gregor Brown and Dan Lancaster.

Zander Fagerson returns to the Glasgow coal face for the first time since April, while Scott Cummings and Max Williamson return from Scotland duty behind the front row.

Rory Darge makes just a second start of the season for the Warriors at openside, with Matt Fagerson and Jack Dempsey also named in a first-choice back-row.

George Horne is back at nine with old partner Adam Hastings next to him. Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu is back at inside centre, with Kyle Steyn skippering Glasgow from the wing.

There's a solid argument to be made that most of those players are starters for Scotland, not just Glasgow, and Sale's own team looks a little depleted in the match-up.

Head coach Alex Sanderson confirmed that the Sharks will be without England duo George Ford and Asher Opoku-Fordjour, while Luke Cowan-Dickie is also absent from the matchday squad.

However, Tom Curry anchors the forward pack from number eight with twin brother Ben named on the bench after recuperating from hamstring surgery.

While players and staff will be fully focused on the trip to Sale, Glasgow fans cannot help but lick their lips looking at the next fixture - Toulouse at home.

After that, it's the 1872 Cup double header with Edinburgh. A few festive treats for fans to tuck into, with Sale seemingly the appetiser before the big main course.

Smith will not be underestimating it, though. The loss to Scarlets was a "wake-up call" according to the head coach and his side must be alert to the Sharks danger.

Sale: Reed; O'Flaherty, Ma'asi-White, Louw, Wills; Du Preez, Quirke; McIntyre, Jibulu, John, Burrow, Bamber, Vermeulen, Van Rhyn, T Curry.

Replacements: Caine, Onasanya, Harper, Andrews, B Curry, Warr, Davies, Wehr.

Glasgow: McKay; Steyn, McDowall, Tuipulotu, Smith; Hastings, Horne; McBeth, Hiddleston, Z Fagerson, Williamson, Cummings, M Fagerson, Darge, Dempsey.

Replacements: Stephen, Sutherland, Talakai, Samuel, Brown, Miller, Dobie, Lancaster.

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Captain Sione Tuipulotu is still angry about Scotland's missed opportunities in the Autumn Nations Series and says the players owe it to Gregor Townsend to deliver success.

Scotland earned two wins from four in November, against the lesser lights of the USA and Tonga, but came up short in their two meaningful tests against New Zealand and Argentina.

"After doing a bit of reflection, I'm still angry," Tuipulotu said.

"And that's okay - why shouldn't I be angry? I care about winning for Scotland and I know the players do as well.

"I think it's about taking that anger into Glasgow games and coming in as best form as I possibly can into the Six Nations so after that tournament, I'm not as angry.

"The most important thing for the group is to know that my feeling coming out of those two games is the feeling of what we're chasing is closer than what we think.

"It's important we take the lessons we needed to learn after that Argentina game specifically. And I think maybe that needed to happen, for us to address what's possibly been either holding us back, or also just be realistic and accept our flaws of what we've done wrong.

"Stand there as a team, as players, as individuals and say what I did wrong as a captain or what we did wrong as a playing group for us not to get those results.

"And I felt like we did that in the last week and looked at each other honestly. We can't prove that's solved anything until we get to the Six Nations and we understand that completely."

Townsend came under intense pressure after the collapse from 21-0 up in the loss to Argentina, though Scottish Rugby chief Alex Williamson said the head coach retains the full support of the union.

Tuipulotu believes the Scotland players are motivated to deliver success for Townsend and his coaching staff.

"Going through the hard times and the good times with the coach makes it more enjoyable when you do get to the good times," said the Glasgow centre.

"When we've gone through this tough period of the autumn, now I want nothing more than for us and for Gregor is to have a good Six Nations.

"I feel like you owe it to them a little bit as well. There's so much work that goes on behind the scenes and you see the coaches go through so much detail and stuff like that and you realise how much pressure is on the coaches.

"I just want to take a little bit of accountability through the playing group and we are responsible for these victories and losses.

"I just feel like it's time for us now to pay back the coaching staff for getting us into this position."