Andy Burke
BBC Scotland at Scotstoun

A big carrot is dangling in front of Glasgow this evening. They know a bonus-point victory here against Cardiff tonight will take them top of the URC table, with leaders Leinster and second-placed Bulls not in action until tomorrow.

It's been bizarre day weather-wise in Glasgow today, with sunglasses and waterproofs required in equal measure. As I write this just a few minutes before kick-off things have cleared up and a stiff breeze is the only significant factor, but that can all change very quickly!

And we are off at Scotstoun! Duncan Weir boots the ball into the night sky, and it's gathered by a bright pink Cardiff shirt.

A big opportunity for Glasgow tonight - but Scottish rugby fans know all too well about slipping on banana skins.

Glasgow Warriors head coach Franco Smith said: "Everyone is looking forward to being back at home tomorrow night.

"We know that we will need to be at our best, Cardiff will pose a strong challenge, with a powerful pack of forwards and some high-quality backs that will test us around the park."

Cardiff head coach Matt Sherratt said: "It's great to get a few of the Wales boys back and they have had a really positive impact in training this week.

"The intensity and quality of the sessions have been great and we are looking forward to a big challenge this weekend against Glasgow.

"They are one of the form teams in the competition. Franco Smith has done a good job there and you can see the traits of him in the team.

"They attack the short sides, they are good on the counter-attack, have some innovative strike plays and all of that is combined with one of the best defences in the URC."

Image source, SNS

Four Welsh internationals return for Cardiff, including centre Mason Grady.

Number eight Mackenzie Martin also comes straight back into the starting XV as does Teddy Williams, while fellow lock Seb Davies is on the bench. Blind-side flanker Ben Donnell returns to complete four changes.

Cardiff remain without Wales squad members Cameron Winnett, Alex Mann and Evan Lloyd who are all rested after the Six Nations campaign in which 21-year-old full-back Winnett in particular impressed.

Liam Belcher continues to captain the side, which includes 17 players to have progressed through the Blue and Blacks pathway and academy.

Glasgow Warriors head coach Franco Smith has named his side to host Cardiff in the URC on Friday, making four changes from the side that beat Benetton last time out.

Matt Fagerson and Jack Dempsey both return from Scotland duty to start in the back row, coming in for Thomas Gordon and Henco Venter.

In the backs, Duncan Weir is preferred to Ross Thompson at fly-half, while Kyle Steyn returns to captain the side from the wing in place of Facundo Cordero.

Duncan Munn could make his professional debut from the bench.

Image source, SNS

Glasgow Warriors: McKay, Cancelliere, McDowall, Jordan, Steyn (c), Weir, Dobie; McBeth, Matthews, Sordoni, Williamson, Samuel, Ferrie, M Fagerson, Dempsey.

Replacements: Hiddleston, Dell, Kebble, Manjezi, Miller, Venter, Horne, Munn.

Cardiff: Beetham; Grady, Clark, Thomas, Summerhill; de Beer, Bevan; Carre, Belcher, Davies-King, Lewis-Hughes, Williams, Donnell, Young, Martin.

Replacements: Daniel, Barratt, Parker, Davies, Jenkins, Aubrey, Halaholo, Lane.

It's the news that all Glasgow fans have waited weeks for - the URC is back, baby.

Franco Smith's side will be looking to consolidate their position near the top of the URC and could even go top tonight - given Leinster don't play Zebre until tomorrow.

The task in front of them - Cardiff. The side from the Welsh capital have only won three times all season, and haven't beaten Glasgow since 2013.

It sounds straight forward, but sport rarely is.

Image source, SNS