Glasgow head coach Gregor Townsend knows his side will not have it easy as they chase a home draw in the Pro12 semi-finals.
The Warriors host Zebre today at Scotstoun Stadium and know a win will see the venue put to use once more when the play-offs kick-off. But Townsend is concerned by the Italian team’s recent hot streak.
He said yesterday: “We face a very tough game tomorrow night against in-form Zebre, who have beaten the likes of Ospreys and Edinburgh recently.
“Zebre are engaged in a tussle with Treviso to represent Italy in the inaugural European Rugby Champions Cup next season and, having just climbed above their rivals in the league, they will be determined to stay there by beating us at Scotstoun.
“I was delighted with the quality of our performance at Treviso last weekend but in order to secure home advantage in the play-offs, for the first time, we will have to make sure that we maintain our standards tomorrow night.
“In our last two home matches against Ulster and Edinburgh we have had record crowds, which shows how much our support has grown in recent years.
“We’re hoping for another big crowd tomorrow night for what is a massive game for the club.”
Sean Lamont and Alex Dunbar have both recovered from injury and return to the Warriors starting line-up for the Zebre clash.
Lamont has been ruled out since Scotland’s defeat to France in March and lines up on the right wing, while Dunbar last featured for Glasgow in their win over Munster at Thomond Park last month and starts at outside centre.
Following last week’s win in Treviso, Stuart Hogg continues at full back and Niko Matawalu keeps his place on the left wing. Dunbar forms a centre partnership with Peter Horne for the first time this season.
Scotland international Duncan Weir comes in at stand off and Henry Pyrgos continues at scrum half.
In the forwards Ryan Grant replaces last week’s try-scorer Gordon Reid at loosehead, Pat MacArthur keeps his place at hooker and Moray Low starts ahead of Geoff Cross at tighthead.
Captain Al Kellock is reinstated to the second row in place of Jonny Gray and he will partner Tim Swinson in the engine room.
After featuring for Scotland at the Glasgow Sevens last weekend, James Eddie comes back in at blindside flanker in place of Rob Harley, Tyrone Holmes makes way for Chris Fusaro at openside and Leone Nakarawa plays his first game for the club at number eight replacing Josh Strauss.