Jamie Ritchie could make Glasgow Warriors debut against Benetton
Assistant coach Nigel Carolan says the former Scotland captain is training fully after summer surgery, but Glasgow have yet to decide whether he will start or join the bench.
Jamie Ritchie could make his Glasgow Warriors debut against Benetton in Treviso on Saturday after returning to full training, assistant coach Nigel Carolan said, according to BBC Sport. The former Scotland captain has yet to be named in a starting or bench role, but his availability gives Glasgow another option in the back row.
Carolan said Ritchie had settled into the team's systems and was eager to play. He hoped to involve the 30-year-old this week, either from the start or as a replacement, BBC Sport reported. A place in the matchday squad would mark Ritchie's first Warriors appearance since joining from French club Perpignan in the summer.
Why Glasgow waited to introduce Ritchie
Ankle and Achilles tendon problems kept Ritchie out during the opening months of the season. Carolan said he had undergone surgery over the summer and Glasgow did not want to rush his return while he was also adapting to a new club. Ritchie is now training fully, the assistant coach said.
A 16 October report on glasgowwarriors.com said Ritchie was fit and available for selection but would have to wait for his debut. Head coach Franco Smith said another week or two within the squad would help him. That assessment preceded Carolan's expectation that Ritchie could be involved against Benetton.
The same glasgowwarriors.com report identified Ruwald van der Merwe as making his Glasgow debut against Sale Sharks. Carolan said Glasgow could perhaps have used Ritchie then, but felt that was Van der Merwe's time. He said the club had waited for the right moment to introduce Ritchie.
What Ritchie could add against Benetton
Ritchie brings 63 Scotland caps and spent more than a decade with Edinburgh before his move to France. He joined Glasgow on a two-year deal as part of a summer change to the Warriors' back row that also brought in Van der Merwe and saw Scotland international Jack Dempsey depart.
Glasgow are second in the United Rugby Championship after three matches, behind Edinburgh. They finished top of the table last season but lost to the Bulls in the play-off semi-finals. The Benetton match offers a possible first appearance for Ritchie before Scotland's Nations Cup in a couple of weeks, a timing Carolan described as positive for the player and club.
Read in depth: Sports
Bayern Munich point to home record before Arsenal Champions League clash
Bayern host Arsenal in Munich on Wednesday with a strong record in the fixture, though the visitors bring a long winning run in the competition's opening phase.
Notre Dame’s BYU loss raises questions about defensive alignment and receiver rotation
A One Foot Down analysis of the October 17 game points to first-half defensive confusion and a narrow receiver rotation, while noting a stronger finish by Notre Dame’s defense.
Sources and context
- Glasgow Warriors: Jamie Ritchie to make debut against BenettonBBC Sport
- Returning internationals boost GlasgowGlasgow Warriors
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.