Townsend hoping big names boost Glasgow Warriors run-in

The Warriors are in excellent form in the RaboDirect PRO12, winning their last six and moving above play-off rivals Munster and Ulster into second place.

With two regular season games left, Townsend's side face a trip to Benetton Treviso on Friday before hosting another Italian outfit - bottom club Zebre - on the final Saturday.

Glasgow's run of form is all the more impressive as it was achieved without a handful of the club's international stars.

Stuart Hogg, Sean Lamont and Alex Dunbar have been absent in recent weeks but at least two of them look set to return as soon as Friday evening.

The Warriors can confirm their playoff berth in Italy and Townsend is hoping a double return - Dunbar and Hogg - can provide an added boost to the side.

He told the Daily Record: "We are hoping Alex will be back in contention for the Treviso match after his injury lay-off, with Sean maybe being available for Zebre.

"Hoggy is also likely to be there this weekend."

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