Towering Saffa lock to tackle Lions

A 2.10m South African starts in Glasgow Warriors’ second row against his former team, the Lions, at Scotstoun Stadium on Saturday.

Since returning from a long-term injury layoff, JP du Preez has come off the Warriors bench twice this month and now gets a chance to wear the No 5 jersey against his countrymen.

The 30-year-old began his professional career at the Lions before a successful stint with the Cheetahs. In 2020, he signed for Sale Sharks in England before joining Glasgow in 2022.

LIONS TEAM: 50 up for Venter as Cash keeps the faith

Du Preez is one of several changes to the Glasgow team that beat Munster 28-25 at home last weekend.

A new front row sees Grant Stewart pack down between Nathan McBeth and Sam Talakai, the latter duo having made an impact off the bench against Munster, while Gregor Brown partners Du Preez in the second row.

George Horne continues at scrumhalf, with Adam Hastings alongside him at 10.

Tom Jordan returns from an impressive Six Nations campaign to start at 12, which sees fellow Scotland international Stafford McDowall shift to 13.

Jamie Dobie is the only change to the back three as he comes in on the right wing for Sebastian Cancelliere.

Scotland and British & Irish Lions props Rory Sutherland and Zander Fagerson have been named among the replacements, with Johnny Matthews rotating to the bench to complete the front-row cover.

Lock Alex Samuel, Scotland flank Rory Darge and former Cheetahs and Sharks flank Henco Venter complete a 6-2 split of forwards and backs on the bench.

GLASGOW – 15 Kyle Rowe, 14 Jamie Dobie, 13 Stafford McDowall, 12 Tom Jordan, 11 Kyle Steyn (c), 10 Adam Hastings, 9 George Horne, 8 Jack Mann, 7 Sione Vailanu, 6 Euan Ferrie, 5 JP du Preez, 4 Gregor Brown, 3 Sam Talakai, 2 Grant Stewart, 1 Nathan McBeth.
Bench: 16 Johnny Matthews, 17 Rory Sutherland, 18 Zander Fagerson, 19 Alex Samuel, 20 Henco Venter, 21 Rory Darge, 22 Ben Afshar, 23 Sebastian Cancelliere.

Photo: Ross MacDonald/SNS Group via Getty Images