Need to Know: Glasgow Warriors v DHL Stormers, United Rugby Championship match preview 2022/23

KO 3.00 at Scotstoun Stadium
Sunday 8th January 2023
Live on Viaplay Sports 1

• In their first trip to Glasgow, the Stormers will be the 31st different side (and 6th South African team) to play against the Warriors at Scotstoun.
• Stormers have only played 4 matches in the UK and Ireland in the last 12 months – a loss to Connacht; a last minute win at Scarlets; a draw with Ospreys; and a defeat by Cardiff 11 weeks ago.
• Glasgow are looking for their first league win against reigning champions since they defeated Leinster 39 – 24 at the RDS in April 2019.
• Just 19 of the 46 players (8 for the home side and 11 for the visitors) featured when these sides met in Cape Town eight months ago.
• At 952kgs this is confirmed as the heaviest starting pack named by the Warriors for any game in the last 6 seasons. That almost certainly means that it is also the heaviest starting pack at any point in Glasgow’s history as a pro team or district.
• In form stand off, Tom ‘Ayr’ Jordan, is the Warrior to Watch.

Teams

(players in CAPITALS are full capped internationals)

Head to Head:

Back 3 – ADV Stormers

Centres – ADV Glasgow

Half Backs – EVEN

Front Row – ADV Stormers

Second Row – ADV Stormers

Back Row – ADV Glasgow

Subs – ADV Glasgow

Glasgow Greetings:

Ollie Smith will make his first appearance at Scotstoun this season having played in 4 away fixtures during the current campaign. In fact, Ollie’s last 10 outings have all come away from home so he will be glad to step onto the hallowed (plastic) turf for the first time since 19th February 2022 against Benetton – when he was Player of the Match. Huw Jones has had an even longer wait and will run out at Scotstoun for the first time since the game versus Ulster on 19th February 2021.

Matchday Milestones:

George Horne makes his 50th start for the club. Fraser Brown will play in his 100th URC fixture, joining Ryan Wilson and Duncan Weir as the only men in the current squad to achieve this feat.

Warrior to Watch:

This season has been transformative in terms of Tom Jordan’s time at the club. Despite being on a full-time contract he couldn’t crack the Glasgow matchday squad during 2021/22, spending his time productively as a central part of Ayrshire Bulls run to the Super 6 title. This year has seen him establish himself at stand off for Glasgow – this will be his 10th start of the campaign in the number 10 shirt. Across the last 7 seasons, only 3 other players (Adam Hastings, Finn Russell and Ross Thompson) have managed that.

As the campaign has progressed his kicking from hand has improved hugely, with distance increased significantly and now providing a real outlet to gain territory and relieve pressure. His goal kicking hasn’t been required while George Horne has been on the pitch but Tom did notch a couple of particularly vital penalties in the home leg of the 1872 Cup and has looked increasingly confident as he has settled into the team.

It is his running game that provides the most excitement though and which really fits in with how the Warriors are looking to challenge opposition defences. Against Edinburgh, at Murrayfield, there were a try and an assist to enjoy as well as putting Mark Bennett on his backside with a hand off that so very nearly lead to another score.

No longer being classed as a non-European player in the league (due to his 3 years’ residency in Scotland) has opened the door but it has been TJ’s performances that have seen him and the club progress. He needs nearly another 2 years before reaching Scottish qualified status but if he continues to develop there is no reason why he couldn’t be a contender for Test honours during the 2027 RWC cycle.

Glasgow at home to South African sides in the PRO12/PRO14/URC era:

• 7 wins
• 6 try BPs
• 34 points out of a possible 35 (97%)

Previous match-up v a South African side at Scotstoun:

Officials:

Referee: Andy Brace (IRFU, 85th league game)
AR1: Jonny Perriam (SRU)
AR2: Ross Mabon (SRU)
TMO: Mark Patton (IRFU)

Mr Brace’s regular season record for 2022/23:

Matches – 7
Average penalty count – 23.4 per game
Home side penalties conceded percentage – 45.1%
Average card count – 1.7 per game
Penalties per card – 13.7

There was more than a 5 year gap between games at Scotstoun for Mr Brace between March 2017 and October 2022 (he did referee 9 Glasgow games in the intervening period – all away from home) so it’s good to see that match with the Bulls last autumn hasn’t put him off for another half decade!

The Irish official was also in charge of these sides’ only other meeting – at Newlands in April 2022 when the penalty count was a lopsided 15 – 9 in favour of the Stormers and Josh McKay was yellow carded for the Warriors.

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Additional ref stats from: https://www.cardiffrfcfans.com/analysis/referee_heads.php?countryID=3