Heineken Cup Pool 2: Glasgow v Exeter match preview
Glasgow Warriors can gain the upper hand in the battle to qualify from Pool 2 with victory over Exeter Chiefs on Sunday.
Last Updated: 19/10/13 8:45pm
The Warriors welcome the Chiefs to Scotstoun off the back of a hefty defeat to reigning champions and pool-topping Toulon.
However, trailing 34-0 at half-time, the PRO12 leaders did manage to bring back a morale-boosting bonus-point from their trip to France after scoring four second-half tries.
Glasgow coach Gregor Townsend has called for his players to be on their mettle from the off against Exeter, stating: "We learned a great deal last weekend in Toulon, about ourselves and the level of rugby we face in this competition.
"The display from our players after half-time was excellent but there is still an underlying feeling in our group of frustration and determination to put things right. It is very important that we rise up and deliver an eighty-minute performance on Sunday."
Argentina centre Gabriel Ascarate will make his home debut for Glasgow Warriors in this encounter. Sean Maitland, Tommy Seymour and DTH van der Merwe make up the back three for Glasgow, with Ascarate partnering Byron McGuigan at centre.
Up front, Josh Strauss continues at number eight, with Rob Harley and Tyrone Holmes on either flank as the Warriors bid to make it five straight home wins against English opposition in the Heineken Cup.
Chiefs on a high
The Chiefs enjoyed a record-breaking 44-29 victory on Saturday over a Cardiff Blues side boasting a plethora of British and Irish Lions tourists, securing a bonus-point within half an hour.
With Toulon expected to take top spot in their stride, the battle between the Warriors and the Chiefs will be crucial to determine the knockout stage qualifiers.
Coach Rob Baxter knows that, should his side overcome Glasgow on Sunday, they will be set in a very commanding position in the pool, up to nine points ahead of their rivals from North of the border.
Although victorious last time out, the Chiefs boss has tinkered with his winning formula with Ben Moon coming in for his first start at loosehead prop in place of Brett Sturgess.
Young centre Sam Hill returns in the midfield to partner Jason Shoemark - which in turn means Ian Whitten is shunted back onto the wing with Fetu'u Vainikolo dropping to the bench.
"We know it will be a tough game and we know there will be some reaction from them to the Toulon game because Glasgow have been going really well in the Rabo this season," Baxter said.
Glasgow Warriors: 15 Sean Maitland, 14 Tommy Seymour, 13 Byron McGuigan, 12 Gabriel Ascarate, 11 DTH van der Merwe, 10 Ruaridh Jackson, 9 Niko Matawalu, 8 Josh Strauss, 7 Tyrone Holmes, 6 Rob Harley, 5 Al Kellock (c), 4 Tim Swinson, 3 Ed Kalman, 2 Pat MacArthur, 1 Ryan Grant
Replacements: 16 Dougie Hall, 17 Jerry Yanuyanutawa, 18 Moray Low, 19 Jonny Gray, 20 Richie Vernon, 21 Chris Cusiter, 22 Duncan Weir, 23 Mark Bennett
Exeter Chiefs: 15 Phil Dollman, 14 Ian Whitten, 13 Jason Shoemark, 12 Sam Hill, 11 Matt Jess, 10 Gareth Steenson, 9 Dave Lewis, 8 Dave Ewers, 7 Ben White, 6 Tom Johnson, 5 Damian Welch, 4 Dean Mumm (capt), 3 Hoani Tui, 2 Chris Whitehead, 1 Ben Moon
Replacements: 16 Jack Yeandle, 17 Brett Sturgess, 18 Alex Brown, 19 Don Armand, 20 Kai Horstmann, 21 Haydn Thomas, 22 Henry Slade, 23 Fetu'u Vainikolo