Jack Dempsey to play first match in two months as Glasgow visit Harlequins

Scotland back-rower Jack Dempsey will play his first match in more than two months when he starts for Glasgow in their final Champions Cup pool-stage fixture against Harlequins at Twickenham Stoop.

The number eight has not featured for club or country since the autumn test against South Africa in mid-November after sustaining a shoulder injury.

However, Dempsey, who was named in Gregor Townsend’s squad this week for the Guinness Six Nations, will return to action for Warriors on Saturday evening, a fortnight ahead of the championship opener at home to Italy.

Centre Stafford McDowall will captain the side as he returns from suspension, with regular skipper Kyle Steyn out injured and Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu rested.

Glasgow have already secured themselves a home tie in the last 16 of the Champions Cup. If they can can pick up one more league point at the Stoop than Toulon manage to collect away to Sale on Sunday, they will finish top of Pool 4 which will guarantee them home advantage in the quarter-finals should they progress that far.

Head coach Franco Smith is braced for a tough test as his side bid to follow up last Friday’s 29-19 home win over Racing 92.

“We know that Harlequins will pose probably our toughest test of the pool stage,” he told the Warriors website.

“They have proved against the Stormers that they are an incredibly difficult team to beat at home, so we need to continue our own progress and focus on our own performance.

“They also have a proud record in front of their home supporters and we look forward to the challenge that awaits us.”