Glasgow head into Friday’s URC clash with the Lions at Scotstoun with a team shaped as much by availability as by selection. Franco Smith has named eight players released by Scotland, while Jack Singleton and Jake Shearer are set for debuts in a side that also reflects a few injury concerns from last week and this week.
The headline is Singleton, whose debut comes after a long spell out of the game. He last played in September 2025 before suffering a heart attack and later having stents fitted, so his return is the most notable selection call in a Glasgow side that still has to manage absences and international commitments.
Scotland releases give Glasgow room to build
Glasgow have been boosted by the release of eight players from Scotland duty for the fixture, while a wider group remains unavailable because Scotland have retained them ahead of the November Nations Championship. That means Smith has had to balance the demands of a single URC game with the bigger picture of next week’s international schedule.
Among the names available, the team includes Alex Craig and Jamie Ritchie, Max Williamson and Seb Stephen, and Gregor Hiddleston and Seb Stephen, alongside the likes of Ollie Smith, Stafford McDowall and George Horne. The selection gives Glasgow enough experience to stay competitive, but it also underlines how quickly the available squad can change when international commitments cut across club plans.
Singleton’s return is the story of the week
Smith made clear that Singleton has earned his chance after training well and showing he is ready for the step up. The coach said he has been “training so well” and is “so well prepared”, while also stressing that the squad wants “energy and enthusiasm” this week and that Singleton has brought plenty of that.
That matters because this is not just a debut in the ordinary sense. For a player to come back after a heart attack and stent procedure, and then be trusted in a competitive URC fixture, adds a layer of significance that goes beyond selection policy. It is a reminder that rugby decisions are not always only about form or combinations.
Injury concerns also shape the squad
Glasgow’s preparation has also been affected by two fresh concerns. Josh McKay injured his hamstring while warming up before last week’s win over Benetton, while Nathan McBeth’s training has been restricted by an arm injury and Ruwald van der Merwe has sustained a hamstring strain.
Smith’s explanation suggested the McBeth issue is not severe, saying he has just developed “some pins and needles in his arm” and that it is “a very light strain.” He was similarly pragmatic about van der Merwe, adding that the sudden drop in temperature may have made things trickier because his usual South African warm-up routines are not as easy to use here.
For Glasgow, the immediate task is straightforward: get the best possible result against the Lions and manage the squad sensibly before the international window intensifies. With Scotland set to face New Zealand next week in their first November Nations Championship game, this selection is as much about timing as it is about talent.
