BULLS scrumhalf Embrose Papier.
Image: Backpagepix
This showdown between the Bulls and the Warriors could well be the Champions Cup clash of the weekend.
The Bulls are fielding probably their strongest side of the season, while the Warriors are not only top of the United Rugby Championship points table but have won 11 home matches in a row.
The Scotstoun Stadium is indeed a fortress for the Scots, and their fast 4G pitch perfectly suits their attacking brand of rugby.
These teams keep on bumping into each other in knock-out games, and which Bulls fan can forget the agony of losing the URC final to the Warriors at Loftus Versfeld in 2024?
The Warriors are unbeaten in the Champions Cup while the Bulls have won just one of their four games. That makes them firm underdogs, but that will sit well with the Bulls players — they love the backs-against-the-wall mentality.
“We’ve got a strong side, and we know we have to be at our best, because Glasgow are one of the best sides in Europe,” Bulls coach Johan Ackermann said.
“They’ve got a lot of internationals. Scotland had a good Six Nations, so there are a lot of players with confidence. They play an exciting brand, score a lot of tries, have a good set-piece, and they’ve got a very strong home record.
“So it’s a big challenge for us, but it’s a great opportunity as well. When I played, you played the game to go up against the best players in the world and constantly test yourself, and that’s what we’ll get on Saturday — an opportunity to test ourselves.”
Glasgow Warriors: 15 Josh McKay, 14 Kyle Steyn (c), 13 Stafford McDowall, 12 Sione Tuipulotu, 11 Ollie Smith, 10 Dan Lancaster, 9 George Horne, 8 Jack Dempsey, 7 Rory Darge, 6 Matt Fagerson, 5 Alex Samuel, 4 Max Williamson, 3 Zander Fagerson, 2 Gregor Hiddleston, 1 Patrick Schickerling. Replacements: 16 Seb Stephen, 17 Jamie Bhatti, 18 Sam Talakai, 19 Olujare Oguntibeju, 20 Euan Ferrie, 21 Angus Fraser, 22 Ben Afshar, 23 Adam Hastings
Bulls: 15 David Kriel, 14 Cheswill Jooste, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Cameron Hanekom, 7 Elrigh Louw, 6 Marcell Coetzee (c), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Francois Klopper, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp Replacements: 16 Marco van Staden, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Cobus Wiese, 20 Jeandre Rudolph, 21 Zak Burger, 22 Stedman Gans, 23 Willie le Roux
Referee: Pierre Brousset (France) Assistant Referees: Vincent Blasco Baque (France), Julien Caulier (France) TMO: Tual Trainini (France)
Date: Saturday, April 4.