Franco Smith insists there is no pressure on returning Huw Jones and Sione Tuipulotu as they are reunited in the Glasgow Warriors midfield for the trip to Cardiff tomorrow (Friday).
Jones and fellow Scotland international Jack Dempsey will make their first appearances of the season at the Arms Park as Smith makes nine changes from the team that dispatched Benetton in style at Scotstoun last weekend.
The midfield partnership of Tuipulotu and Jones, aptly nicknamed Huwipulotu, was one of the shining lights as Glasgow stormed to the URC title last season, but Smith insists expectations must be tempered ahead of their first outing together this campaign.
Smith said: “We have given them the freedom to go out and do what they do well. I don't want them to feel the world is sitting on the edge of their chairs again, I thought Tom Jordan did well, Stafford [McDowall] has played well there a couple of weeks ago.
“We're excited to see them - to see Huw out there, add value and if they can help us win it will be fantastic. That is their focus, not only to play well.”
He said having the experienced duo back is a welcome boost for his side as they prepare to face Cardiff, who have maximum points from their opening two matches.
Smith added: “If I look at the squad running out there tomorrow night there’s a good balance between youth and the quality of the senior players. I know both of them are keen to contribute this season and eager to get out there, so I hope we will see some of that on the pitch tomorrow night.”
Alongside Jones’ return to the midfield, Smith has made wholesale changes in the pack with only Matt Fagerson retaining his starting place, though he does move from number eight to openside flanker.
Rory Sutherland will make his first start having debuted off the bench against Benetton and the Scotland prop will pack down with Johnny Matthews and Sam Talakai in the front row.
Alex Samuel will join Scott Cummings in the second row, while Gregor Brown partners Fagerson on the flanks with the returning Dempsey anchoring the Warriors scrum.
Jamie Dobie is retained at scrum-half and will partner Tom Jordan at half-back, the latter stepping in to fill the number 10 jersey with Adam Hastings out injured after being on the receiving end of a wild shoulder charge by Benetton’s Scott Scrafton last weekend.
And Smith believes that New Zealand-born Jordan, who qualifies for Scotland next month on residency grounds, has plenty to offer the national team.
“He's got a lot of quality around his game,” the Warriors boss said.
"He's not the traditional 10 that Scotland is used to from a kicking perspective specifically, but he does what he does very well. I think he can contribute.
“I believe he's made the most of his opportunities in the last two years.
“He's developed, learned and I think he plays well amongst the other internationals in the team so from that perspective he will definitely add value to the national environment."
Hastings is one of four Scotland internationals unavailable for the trip to the Welsh capital, with captain Kyle Steyn, George Horne and Rory Darge also missing.
However Smith insisted the quartet are “all fine” and suggested they should all be back in training on Monday.
The injury to Steyn and the continued absence of Sebastian Cancelliere have opened the door for Facundo Cordero to make a rare start. It will be just his fifth appearance since joining the club two years ago as he joins Kyle Rowe on the wings, with Josh McKay at fullback once more for the Warriors
“He must be the most unfortunate player up to now,” Smith said of Cordero.
“Since he's been here, he's been really unfortunate that he's got injured at the wrong time.
“He's proven every time he has played for us that he's got special qualities. He's been waiting for his opportunity for so long, I hope that eagerness rubs off on all the players.”
Read the rules here