Glasgow's Dempsey returns from nine-month absence to face Bullspublished at 15:31 BST 23 October 2025
Image source, SNSJack Dempsey makes a belated start to his season after a late withdrawal last month
Scotland number eight Jack Dempsey will make his first Glasgow Warriors appearance since January after being named in the starting XV to take on the Bulls at Scotstoun on Friday.
The fit-again 31-year-old was a late withdrawal before the club's opening-round URC victory over the Sharks last month.
Scotland prop Jamie Bhatti also returns to the starting line-up against last season's runners-up after missing the past two matches.
Head coach Franco Smith makes five changes from the 42-17 win away to Ospreys.
Scott Cummings comes into the second row, while Dempsey's inclusion means Matt Fagerson shifts to the openside flank, with Gregor Brown on blindside.
Alex Samuel and Euan Ferrie rotate to the bench after starting last time out.
Behind the scrum, George Horne replaces Jamie Dobie at scrum-half, with Josh McKay returning to the line-up at full-back in place of Ollie Smith.
Dobie, Smith and prop Patrick Schickerling drop out of the squad this week.
Seb Stephen will make his first appearance at Scotstoun should the hooker come off the bench, the Scotland Under-20 standout having impressed during his brief cameo in Bridgend last Saturday.
That victory took Warriors up to third in the table, three places above Bulls, and coach Smith told his club website: "The players are now starting to find their way and hitting their straps.
"It's the start of the season, so it takes a while for all the engines to start up."
Next up is a repeat of the 2024 URC grand final.
"We know we must be at our best as we look to finish the first block of fixtures on a high," Smith added.
"The Bulls possess one of the strongest and deepest squads in the URC and are consistent in the quality of performances they produce."
Glasgow Warriors: Josh McKay, Kyle Steyn (capt), Stafford McDowall, Sione Tuipulotu, Kyle Rowe; Adam Hastings, George Horne; Jamie Bhatti, Johnny Matthews, Murphy Walker, Max Williamson, Scott Cummings, Gregor Brown, Matt Fagerson, Jack Dempsey.
Replacements: Seb Stephen, Nathan McBeth, Sam Talakai, Alex Samuel, Alex Craig, Euan Ferrie, Ben Afshar, Dan Lancaster.






















