Having made only three starts in his new position as a winger, Roland Reid once again returns to Glasgow's back-row for tomorrow's meeting with Northampton at Franklin's Gardens, writes Kevin Ferrie.
As with the return to the starting line-up of Gareth Flockhart, that is a result of the absences of Gordon Simpson (abdominal infection) and Donny Macfadyen (groin strain), both of whom performed well during last week's draw with Montferrand.
Reid's move makes way for Michael Bartlett, the New Zealand-born winger, while the rotation system at loosehead prop sees Dave Hilton return with Cameron Blades moving to the bench, where he is joined by Gordon McIlwham, yet another international prop who makes his first appearance in the squad this season after recovering from a groin injury.
John Steele, Northampton's director of rugby, has added to the near derby feel of this match by bringing in two Scots - Craig Moir, the international winger, and Rob Hunter, who toured South Africa in 1999. The match represents a great opportunity for both, Moir having missed most of last season after breaking a leg and Hunter not having started a match for his club since suffering a serious neck injury a year ago.
While Hunter's introduction in place of Andy Newman is the only change to the pack, Moir, who replaces Nick Beal, the English internationalist who had his nose badly broken during the defeat at Cardiff last week, comes into a back line which is substantially changed.
With Mark Tucker switching to full back to replace Paul Grayson, who went off at the Arms Park with back trouble, Peter Jorgensen, the Wallaby centre comes into the midfield, while Alastair Hepher, the English international stand-off, returns in place of the highly promising, but still inexperienced, James Brooks.
Northampton Saints (v Glasgow at Franklin's Gardens, tomorrow, 3.45) M Tucker; C Moir, P Jorgensen, J Leslie, B Cohen; A Hepher, M Dawson; T Smith, S Thompson, M Stewart, R Hunter, J Phillips, A Blowers, B Pountney (captain), G Seely. Replacements S Brotherstone, K Todd, A Newman, M Soden, D Malone, J Brooks, L Martin
Glasgow G Metcalfe; J Steel, J McLaren, A Henderson, M Bartlett; T Hayes, A Nicol (captain); D Hilton, G Bulloch, L Harrison, N Ross, J White, R Reid, G Flockhart, J Petrie. Replacements G Scott, C Blades, G McIlwham, A Hall, G Beveridge, J Stuart, B Irving
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