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Glasgow Warriors have named an exciting side filled with young talent for their first pre-season friendly match this weekend against Newcastle Red Bulls.
Franco Smith's men will travel to Kingston Park without their international stars, who are on a separate return schedule after their involvement in the summer's Test matches, which will provide an opportunity for the next generation of talent to shine. There's also plenty of first team regulars amongst the replacements who will get early run outs ahead of the new campaign including props Patrick Schickerling and Sam Talakai as well as backs Dan Lancaster and Josh McKay to name a few.
The Scotstoun outfit have made no secret about their desire to put more of an emphasis on their academy gradates this season following several high profile departures over the summer. That's something that Smith has gained a reputation for during his time with Warriors and Academy Manager Nick Ryan is backing the young guns to make their mark.
He said: "I think they've earned the opportunity, that's the most important thing to convey. They've trained really hard over the summer to get in a good position now, but even going back to last year as a group, as a young group coming through, they've done a lot of hard work on the training track.
"It's a great opportunity for them to get some validation of the work they've put in and for us to see the progression that we feel they've developed in the system over the last 12 to18 months. I think there's a really good excitement amongst the players and the staff to see where the hard work takes us tomorrow."
It might just be a pre-season warm-up fixture but, with the URC returning later this month, a strong individual performance could very well lead to another opportunity when the stakes are higher. "It's a reference point for the guys," explained Ryan.
"I think when you're training against each other, it is good, but also I think going into live action and seeing how people respond to different stimuluses, pressure, crowd, all those things, I think will give us a good reference point of where people are at. There's a really clear identity about how we want to play and then there's systems that sit underneath those principles, so we've an overwhelming amount of time making sure we're really aligned and really clear on those things."
One young player who arguably has the biggest opportunity amongst the group is fly-half Matthew Urwin. With Warriors losing the experienced Adam Hastings this summer, and not signing a direct replacement, there is likely to be a good few first team chances for the 20-year-old this season.
On the young stand-off, who will start in 10 jersey this weekend, Ryan added: "It's an opportunity for him, there's certainly no doubt about that. I was really impressed [by him] when I got here.
"His skill set's fantastic, he reads the game well, he's an excellent communicator and he's really highly regarded amongst the playing group. I think my message to him, to all the young players, is be the best version of yourself.
"I think an original is worth more than a copy. I think it's really important that Matty brings what he does really well to the table tomorrow versus trying to be someone else."
Glasgow Warriors starting XV to face Newcastle Red Bulls: Jake Shearer, Ottavio Tuipulotu, Murphy Walker, Dan Halkon, Jare Ogntibeju, Dylan Cockburn, Angus Fraser, Macenzzie Duncan, Jack Oliver, Matthew Urwin, Guy Rogers, Kerr Yule, Kerr Johnston, Cameron van Wyk, Fergus Watson. Replacements: Jamie McAughtrie, Patrick Schickerling, Sam Talakai, Ruaraidh Hart, Euan Ferrie, Callum Reidy, Johnny Ventisei, Bayley Kuenzle, Joe Roberts, Ollie McKenna, Harvey Preston, Gregor Johnston, Dan Lancaster, Harry Provan, Alex Bryden, Josh McKay.