Glasgow v Cardiff: Teams

Glasgow Warriors coach Sean Lineen has opted to recall a number of his internationals for the visit of Cardiff Blues in the Magners League - however John Barclay will miss the match.

Brothers Max and Thom Evans, Dan Parks and Dougie Hall all return after being involved in Scotland's autumn internationals, while Bernardo Stortoni and Justin Va'a come back after representing Argentina and Justin the Pacific Islanders respectively.

However flanker Barclay, who impressed with his displays for Scots, has been rested - with Calum Forrester, Kelly Brown and Johnnie Beattie teaming up in the back-row.

Head coach Sean Lineen said: "The next four games in the Magners League will define our season. The guys are upbeat and looking forward to what is always a hard physical challenge against Cardiff on Friday night."

Cardiff welcome back Wales flanker Robin Sowden Taylor for the trip to Glasgow.

However with inside centres Jamie Roberts and Tom Shanklin away on Wales duty, Ceri Sweeney will fill-in in the No.12 jersey.

Momentum

The Blues go into the game on the back of a six-match winning run - and coach Dai Young is looking to carry that momentum into the clash, despite the break for the autumn internationals.

Young said, "The players are looking forward to getting back on the pitch following the autumn break, which in some ways came a bit too early for us.

"We had built up some good momentum with our wins in the Heineken and EDF Energy Cup, and we have to make sure we carry that momentum and form into this Friday's Magners League match.

"We know it won't be easy. Glasgow are always a difficult team to play especially at home, they recently notched up a win against last season's champions Leinster. They have some quality players with Dan Parks always a threat with his kicking."

Glasgow Warriors: 15 Bernardo Stortoni, 14 Lome Fa'atau, 13 Max Evans, 12 Andrew Henderson, 11 Thom Evans, 10 Dan Parks, 9 Mark McMillan, 1 Justin Va'a, 2 Dougie Hall, 3 Ed Kalman, 4 Tim Barker, 5 Alastair Kellock, 6 Calum Forrester, 7 Kelly Brown, 8 Johnnie Beattie.
Replacements: 16 Eric Milligan, 17 Moray Low, 18 Dan Turner, 19 Richie Vernon, 20 Colin Gregor, 21 Ruaridh Jackson, 22 Hefin O'Hare.

Cardiff Blues: 15 Ben Blair, 14 Gareth Thomas, 13 Jamie Robinson, 12 Ceri Sweeney, 11 Tom James, 10 Nicky Robinson, 9 Jason Spice, 1 Taufa'ao Filise, 2 T R Thomas, 3 Gary Powell, 4 Deiniol Jones, 5 Paul Tito, 6 Mamma Molitika, 7 Robin Sowden-Taylor, 8 Mark Lewis.
Replacements: 16 Scott Roberts, 17 Gareth Williams, 18 Scott Morgan, 19 Ben White, 20 Richie Rees, 21 Dafydd Hewitt, 22 Richard Mustoe, 23 Chris Czekaj.