Glasgow Warriors coach Franco Smith says he has “all the confidence in the world” in 20-year-old centre Kerr Yule ahead of their Vodacom URC opener against the Sharks.
With Sione Tuipulotu eased back after his British & Irish Lions commitments, Yule has been handed a first competitive start.
The youngster impressed in pre-season outings against Bath and Northampton, and Smith believes he is ready to seize the opportunity at Scotstoun on Friday night.
“I thought Kerr played really well in the first two games,” Smith told reporters. “He merits the opportunity to now establish himself. He’s grown up, he understands the responsibility and the challenge that’s ahead, and we’re eager to see if he can take the next steps.”
Yule, who set a new Scotland U20 appearances record at this year’s World Rugby U20 Championship, has come through the local system with stints at GHK, West of Scotland, Glasgow Hawks and Ayrshire Bulls.
A powerful runner at 1.91m and 101kg, he is the son of Scotland’s national strength and conditioning coach Stuart Yule, a former Commonwealth Games weightlifter.
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Glasgow will also debut Dan Lancaster at flyhalf, while captain Kyle Steyn (hand) and prop Zander Fagerson (knee) remain sidelined.
GLASGOW WARRIORS – 15 Josh McKay, 14 Kyle Rowe, 13 Stafford McDowall (c), 12 Kerr Yule, 11 Ollie Smith, 10 Dan Lancaster, 9 George Horne, 8 Jack Dempsey, 7 Rory Darge, 6 Matt Fagerson, 5 Alex Samuel, 4 Jare Oguntibeju, 3 Fin Richardson, 2 Johnny Matthews, 1 Jamie Bhatti.
Bench: 16 Gregor Hiddleston, 17 Rory Sutherland, 18 Sam Talakai, 19 Scott Cummings, 20 Gregor Brown, 21 Euan Ferrie, 22 Jamie Dobie, 23 Adam Hastings.
Photo: Glasgow Warriors/Facebook
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