Smith includes 14 internationals in his matchday 23 as the Warriors, who host Dragons RFC on April 1 in the Challenge Cup, look to retain their place in the URC top four and secure a home quarter-final.

Allan Dell will make his first start in Glasgow colours after making his club debut off the bench in the defeat at Emirates Lions last weekend, while JP du Preez is recalled to the second row, which means Scott Cummings moves to blindside flanker.

Behind the scrum, George Horne returns from Scotland camp to start at scrum-half, while Ollie Smith is recalled at full-back, with Josh McKay moving to the wing.

Also in the URC, Josh Macleod, Tom Rogers and Johnny Williams return from injury for Scarlets at Munster Rugby as the Welsh region chase a seventh successive victory in the build-up to their EPCR Challenge Cup Round of 16 home tie against CA Brive on March 31.

Macleod captains a side showing three personnel changes from the team who claimed a bonus-point victory over Edinburgh Rugby last time out.

Behind the scrum, Rogers is brought back on the right wing, with Steff Evans shifting to the left as Ryan Conbeer is ruled out with the shoulder knock he picked up against Edinburgh. Dane Blacker gets the nod at scrum-half, with Gareth Davies dropping to the bench.

Up front, the return of Macleod from a knee injury sees Vaea Fifita shift to the second row, while openside flanker Dan Davies will make his 50th Scarlets appearance.

In the Gallagher Premiership, lock Joe Batley returns from injury to the Bristol Bears’ starting line-up for their home clash with Northampton Saints. He replaces Joe Joyce, who sustained an injury in the victory at Bath Rugby, in the only change to the starting XV on duty that day.

With Bristol Bears’ EPCR Challenge Cup Round of 16 home tie with ASM Clermont Auvergne a month away, there is also a timely return to the matchday squad for experienced back-row forward Steven Luatua following his return from New Zealand this week.

Glasgow Warriors head coach Franco Smith makes five changes to his side for their BKT United Rugby Championship game against Zebre Parma at Scotstoun on Friday as he seeks to regain the winning formula, with the EPCR Challenge Cup Round of 16 only a month away.