Vaea Fifita Returns for Scarlets as Two Wales Internationals Miss Glasgow Clash

Vaea Fifita, who joined Scarlets from Wasps in 2022, extended his contract during the summer. The United Rugby Championship match between Glasgow and Scarlets is scheduled for Friday, 29 November, at Scotstoun Stadium in Glasgow, with a kick-off time of 19:35 BST. Coverage will be available via Scrum V Live, BBC Two Wales, iPlayer, and the BBC Sport website and app, where highlights will also be featured. Scarlets will be without Wales internationals Tom Rogers and Sam Costelow for their Friday night encounter against United Rugby Championship (URC) defending champions Glasgow. Tonga number eight Vaea Fifita is set to return to action, having been out since the season’s opening game due to a knee injury. Blair Murray, who recently debuted for Wales during the autumn series, has been selected on the left wing. Test prop Henry Thomas will feature in the front row. The bench will include Wales internationals Eddie James, Kemsley Mathias, Ryan Elias, and Taine Plumtree, alongside Scotland lock Alex Craig. Costelow’s absence follows a head injury sustained against South Africa, which led to his half-time withdrawal. Rogers, initially named to play against South Africa after a strong performance against Australia, was a late scratch from the starting lineup due to a calf issue. Ellis Mee will make his second URC appearance of the season on the right wing, with Ioan Nicholas positioned at full-back. In Costelow’s absence, Ioan Lloyd will wear the number 10 jersey, and Gareth Davies will start at scrum-half for his seventh consecutive match. Within the forward pack, Max Douglas moves back to the second row, Dan Davis is recalled to openside flanker, and captain Josh Macleod shifts to blindside flanker, accommodating Fifita at number eight. For the home side, prop Fin Richardson and lock Jare Oguntibeju will make their starting debuts, while back-rower Macenzzie Duncan is expected to debut from the bench. Head coach Franco Smith also welcomes back several Scotland international players who were part of the squad that decisively defeated Australia last weekend. Dwayne Peel’s team currently holds sixth place in the URC table, having secured three wins and a draw from their six matches played to date. Peel commented, “Glasgow are a team who play with high energy, high speed and it is a case of ‘expect the unexpected’ with them.” He added, “It is going to be a big challenge for us, but one we are excited about, to go and see where we are at, going up against the champions on a fast track. We have spoken about using the opportunity and using the energy and having a go at them.” Peel also noted, “I feel we have used the last month really well, the boys have applied themselves, worked hard and are ready for the start of another big block of matches with Europe to come followed by a couple of Welsh derbies.” Glasgow head coach Franco Smith stated, “The Scarlets have been in good form this season, and their mix of dynamic forwards and exciting backs can cause problems from anywhere on the field.” The confirmed lineups are as follows: Glasgow: Josh McKay; Sebastian Cancelliere, Stafford McDowall, Tom Jordan, Kyle Rowe; Adam Hastings, George Horne; Patrick Schickerling, Johnny Matthews, Fin Richardson, Jare Oguntibeju, Alex Samuel, Ally Miller, Henco Venter, Jack Mann. Replacements: Grant Stewart, Allan Dell, Sam Talakai, Macenzzie Duncan, Gregor Hiddleston, Angus Fraser, Ben Afshar, Duncan Weir. Scarlets: Ioan Nicholas; Ellis Mee, Macs Page, Johnny Williams, Blair Murray; Ioan Lloyd, Gareth Davies; Alec Hepburn, Marnus van der Merwe, Henry Thomas, Max Douglas, Sam Lousi, Josh Macleod (capt), Dan Davis, Vaea Fifita. Replacements: Ryan Elias, Kemsley Mathias, Sam Wainwright, Alex Craig, Taine Plumtree, Efan Jones, Charlie Titcombe, Eddie James. The match officials include referee Fillipo Russo (FIR), assistant referees Sam Grove-White and Ru Campbell (SRU), and TMO Matteo Liperini (SRU).