Sione Tuipulotu set to return for Glasgow against Leinster

Sione Tuipulotu makes a timely return as Glasgow close their regular United Rugby Championship season with the toughest assignment of them all.

The Scotland centre returns following a four-month lay-off with a pectoral injury as Warriors face Leinster at the Aviva Stadium.

With a home quarter-final already secured and a summer with the British and Irish Lions to look forward to, Tuipulotu is set for a challenging comeback against a side that beat Glasgow at the same venue in the European Champions Cup.

Head Coach Franco Smith told glasgowwarriors.org: “Our medical and S&C teams have been working closely with Sione over the last few weeks in order to put him in the best possible position, and his enthusiasm for his return to action has been infectious.”

Scotland Under-20 hooker Seb Stephen has been handed a baptism of fire after being named in the starting line-up for his professional debut.

Flanker Macenzzie Duncan makes his first start for Glasgow while Jare Oguntibeju also comes into the second row.

Smith added: “We also look forward to seeing Jare and Macenzzie run out after impressing for our under-23 squad last week, and we congratulate Seb on being named in a Glasgow Warriors matchday 23 for the first time.

“Each man has earned their opportunity to start this weekend and we know that they will all give everything for this team.”