Glasgow set to deploy 6'5, 120kg winger that wreaked havoc on Scotland

Glasgow Warriors are set to give a giant Tongan winger – who wreaked havoc on Scotland’s back three during the Autumn Nations Series – his first start for the Scottish side.

Walter Fifita could make his first appearance for Glasgow tomorrow evening after the winger was named on the replacements for their United Rugby Championship (URC) clash with the Ospreys at Scotstoun.

The 6ft 5′ 120kg strike runner – who is built more like a second row than a winger – will become the fifth Tongan – and first Tongan back – to represent Glasgow, following in the footsteps of Ofa Fainga’anuku, Sila Puafisi, Siua Halanukonuka and Fotu Lokotui.

He is the heaviest back in the URC and one of the biggest backs in world rugby.

The 24-year-old spent two seasons at North Harbour after spending 2018/19 playing in Spain where he scored 13 tries in 16 matches for El Salvador, who went on to claim the top title that year in that country.

Fifita made his international debut earlier in 2021, coming off the bench in the Tonga defeat to New Zealand and he earned a second cap against Samoa in a World Cup qualifier.

The hulking back proved quite the handful during Scotland and Tonga’s Autumn Nation Series clash, with a number of bullocking runs up the wing catch the eye in Murrayfield.

Head Coach Danny Wilson has made just two changes following the club’s 22-7 victory over Exeter Chiefs in the Heineken Champions Cup in December. Wilson told glasgowwarriors.org: “After a couple of weeks with no game and a good week’s training this week, we are really looking forward to getting back to league rugby at Scotstoun tomorrow evening.

“Ospreys are a quality side full of international experience. They sit above us in the league and this will be another huge challenge, but one we’re excited about and looking forward to.

“We’re pleased to welcome back the experience and leadership of both Ryan Wilson and Fraser Brown, and Walter Fifita has the opportunity to make his first involvement for the club.”

“He is a big, abrasive player who we believe can be a real asset to us out wide,” Wilson said of the Lomuesque winger when he signed.

GLASGOW WARRIORS
1. JamieBhatti (55)
2. George Turner (68)
3. Zander Fagerson (105)
4. Scott Cummings (82)
5. Kiran McDonald (40)
6. Ryan Wilson (198)
7. Rory Darge (12)
8. Matt Fagerson (76)

9. Ali Price(C) (101)
10. Ross Thompson (23)
11. Cole Forbes (15)
12. Sam Johnson (80)
13. Sione Tuipulotu (9)
14. Kyle Steyn (39)
15. Josh McKay (3)

REPLACEMENTS:
16. FraserBrown (113)
17. Oli Kebble (64)
18. Enrique Pieretto (25)
19. Lewis Bean (12)
20. Thomas Gordon (41)
21. Jamie Dobie (25)
22. Duncan Weir (113)
23. Walter Fifita (0)

Kick off is 5.15pm