Oli Kebble’s absence is big blow as Glasgow Warriors seek parity in the scrum

On the credit score aspect, Leone Nakarawa is again and shall be on the bench for the Warriors at Scotstoun on Saturday night time. Within the debit column, Wilson has been robbed of the companies of Oli Kebble who was unfortunate sufficient to undergo a head knock in non-contact coaching.

Given Edinburgh’s dominance within the scrum as they won the first leg 10-7 at Murrayfield, the prop’s absence might be keenly felt.

To maintain the three-game sequence alive, Glasgow must keep away from defeat at Scotstoun within the second leg.

Wilson stated the coaching damage was “a freak accident” however it leaves him with large issues at loosehead. Becoming a member of Kebble on the sidelines are George Thornton and Alex Allan, with a again damage and a ruptured Achilles, respectively.

It means Aki Seiuli begins within the No 1 jersey for Glasgow, with the callow Tom Lambert in line to exchange him late on.

Seiuli endured a torrid time in opposition to WP Nel within the first leg however the Edinburgh prop is on the bench for the second match, with Simon Berghan picked to start out for the guests.

It means Lambert might make his Glasgow debut in opposition to Nel, one of many wiliest scrummagers in world rugby.

“We’ve got achieved loads of work on our scrum in coaching,” stated Wilson. “We’re going up in opposition to among the best scrummaging outfits on the market and we didn’t perform properly within the final recreation. It has functioned properly in different video games in opposition to Edinburgh just lately so it was vital that we put a good bit of labor into it.

“Oli is a global loosehead and a really harmful scrummager. Not having him is a blow. However it opens the door and provides a chance to any individual else. Aki is an excellent rugby participant across the discipline and hopefully he’ll put in a greater scrum efficiency.”

Wilson hopes that Nakarawa’s inclusion, albeit in its place, will add the spark Glasgow want to beat sturdy opponents who’re bidding to win the inter-city competitors for the fourth yr in a row.

The favored Fijian lock is a talismanic determine among the many membership’s assist and has the abilities befitting a former European participant of the yr. Nonetheless, he’s nonetheless feeling his manner again after a knee damage and has not performed since final February.

“I’m definitely hoping for just a few touches of magic,” stated Wilson. “However we will’t get too carried away. It’s been an extended, very long time since he’s performed, and as we noticed with all the opposite boys, for those who’ve been out of rugby for a very long time, it takes just a little time to get again into it, get your second wind, get used to the contacts.

“Hopefully it does occur, that he takes half on this recreation after which stage by stage he’ll come again and hopefully he’ll be all of the participant that we’re hoping for. However I feel we must be comparatively affected person, if I’m trustworthy.”

If you have not already, please think about supporting our trusted, fact-checked journalism by taking out a digital subscription.