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Steffan Thomas

Young Welsh No. 8 given the chance to prove he is the man to replace Sione Kalamafoni

Carwyn Tuipulotu has been handed the opportunity to prove he is the long-term successor to the influential Sione Kalamafoni in the Scarlets No. 8 jersey.

Explosive No. 8 Kalamafoni has been a revelation for the Scarlets since joining from Leicester Tigers three years ago, and will likely go down as one of Welsh rugby's finest overseas signings.

But an injury sustained during their epic Challenge Cup victory over Clermont Auvergne last Friday has likely put an end to his Scarlets career given he will depart Llanelli at the end of the season to join ProD2 outfit Vannes.

READ MORE: Cardiff servant and Wales international targeted by ambitious English club

Big things are expected of former Wales U20s star Tuipulotu who has been mentored by Kalamafoni over the past few years, with both the Scarlets, and Warren Gatland, hoping he can develop into a dominant ball carrier of the highest order.

The 21-year-old has shown glimpses of what he is capable of, playing a pivotal role in Ryan Conbeer's winning try against Clermont, when he held off two tacklers after emerging from the base of the scrum before offloading out of the back door to send the wing over.

Tuipulotu remains a work in progress but he gets an opportunity to show what he is capable of from the word go as the Scarlets travel to Scotstoun to take on high-flying Glasgow.

The Scarlets retain a mathematical chance of reaching the United Rugby Championship play-offs and winning the Welsh Shield but this is unlikely.

Their priority this season is now the Challenge Cup where they will face the same opponents in the semi-final at Parc Y Scarlets, and this is reflected in head coach Dwayne Peel's selection. Peel has made 11 changes from the side who stunned Clermont.

With Leigh Halfpenny going through his return-to-play protocols, Tom Rogers returns at full-back to link up again with Steff Evans and Ryan Conbeer in the back three.

There is an all-new midfield pairing of Ioan Nicholas and 20-year-old Eddie James, who will make his first URC start after producing a try-scoring performance off the bench against Edinburgh in his last appearance.

At half-back, Dan Jones partners Wales international Kieran Hardy.

In the front row, Wales and British & Irish Lions loose-head Wyn Jones starts alongside hooker Shaun Evans and tight-head Sam Wainwright, while Morgan Jones comes in to partner Vaea Fifita in the second row.

Iwan Shenton is handed a URC debut in the back-row. The former Cardiff Met student gets the nod at blindside flanker alongside skipper Josh Macleod, and Tuipulotu.

Glasgow Warriors: Huw Jones; Kyle Steyn, Stafford McDowall, Sam Johnson, Cole Forbes; Tom Jordan, Ali Price; Jamie Bhatti, Johnny Matthews, Zander Fagerson, Lewis Bean, JP du Preez, Ryan Wilson, Matt Fagerson, Sione Vailanu.

Replacements: Fraser Brown, Nathan McBeth, Simon Berghan, Richie Gray, Scott Cummings, Rory Darge, Jamie Dobie, Domingo Miotti.

Scarlets: Tom Rogers; Steff Evans, Ioan Nicholas, Eddie James, Ryan Conbeer; Dan Jones, Kieran Hardy; Wyn Jones, Shaun Evans, Sam Wainwright, Morgan Jones, Vaea Fifita, Iwan Shenton, Josh Macleod (capt), Carwyn Tuipulotu.

Replacements: Daf Hughes, Steff Thomas, Javan Sebastian, Aaron Shingler, Iestyn Rees, Dane Blacker, Rhys Patchell, Joe Roberts.

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