Josh Adams will start at 13 for Cardiff in glasgow warriors vs cardiff rugby on Friday night, his first outing there since the start of the 2022 Six Nations. Cardiff arrive at Scotstoun Stadium sixth in the United Rugby Championship and six points clear of ninth-placed Connacht.
The change gives Cardiff a different midfield look at 7:45pm, and it comes with only three alterations to the starting XV from the win over the Ospreys. Corniel van Zyl said the squad is in a stronger place as players return, while Cardiff try to turn back-to-back Welsh derby wins into another result that keeps the top-eight push moving.
Adams Back In Cardiff Midfield
Adams last started in midfield for Cardiff in December 2021 against Toulouse. His return to 13 is the most notable selection call in the side, and it comes after a long stretch away from that position at club level.
Cardiff have not made the switch lightly. They are carrying momentum from wins over the Scarlets and Ospreys, but this is a sharper test of how the side handles a reshaped back line against a team that has already secured its place in the top eight.
Van Zyl Keeps Three Changes
Keiron Assiratti starts at tighthead prop after signing a new contract with the club, and James Botham comes in at blindside flanker after returning from injury. Those two changes sit alongside Adams in the only three adjustments to the XV from the Ospreys victory.
Van Zyl said, “We are starting to get a few boys back on the pitch and the squad is in a healthier position going into a really important few week in terms of the play-offs,” and added, “We are in a strong position and we feel like it’s still in our hands and we can control it. It is clichéd but it is one week at a time and this game is the most important. We want to get as many points out of the game as we possibly can.”
Scotstoun Pressure For Cardiff
Cardiff have not won at Scotstoun Stadium since 2013, which sharpens the challenge on a night when Glasgow are also trying to respond after three consecutive defeats in all competitions. Van Zyl called it “a big test” and said Glasgow “do a lot of the basic stuff well and know how to put you under pressure.”
For Cardiff, the stakes are straightforward: keep the top-eight chase in their own hands and leave Glasgow with points. The table position gives them room, but only just, and Friday night is the next chance to turn a strong run of domestic form into a result that protects it.
