Gray named captain for trip to Galway

The 21-year-old, who has been named captain for the first time, will partner Fijian international Leone Nakarawa in the engine room.

Stuart Hogg returns at full-back, after missing the win over Cardiff Blues a fortnight ago through injury, with Peter Murchie named on the bench.

Tommy Seymour continues on the right wing, with Niko Matawalu returning on the opposite wing, in place of the injured DTH van der Merwe.

Richie Vernon and Peter Horne continue their centre partnership, with Finn Russell and Henry Pyrgos once again the half-back pairing.

In the pack Jerry Yanuyanutawa continues at loose-head, while Fraser Brown replaces Dougie Hall at hooker and Euan Murray returns from injury at tight-head. It will be Murray's first appearance in a Warriors shirt since the win over the Scarlets at Scotstoun in January.

Gray comes in for Tim Swinson and Nakarawa for Al Kellock in the second-row, while it's the same back-row which played against Cardiff, with Rob Harley, Chris Fusaro and Adam Ashe combining.

Ryan Grant, who is on the bench, returns from a five-week spell on the sidelines, while Duncan Weir continues his comeback from injury after also being named among the replacements.

Glasgow Warriors head coach Gregor Townsend said: "Connacht are a well-coached team that play with passion and ambition, and we respect them very highly. They have played well this season and are challenging for a top-six finish.

"We welcome back a number of Scotland internationals and we're delighted that Jonny Gray has been given the opportunity to captain the side from the start of the game.

"We enjoy playing at the Sportsground as there is always a really good atmosphere thanks to the vocal home support and we know we'll have to be fully focused for the full 80 minutes in order to deliver the level of performance required."

Glasgow Warriors team to play Connacht, GUINNESS PRO12, The Sportsground, Saturday 25 April (kick-off 1.05pm) - live on BBC ALBA:

15. Stuart Hogg
14. Tommy Seymour
13. Richie Vernon
12. Peter Horne
11. Niko Matawalu
10. Finn Russell
9. Henry Pyrgos

1. Jerry Yanuyanutawa
2. Fraser Brown
3. Euan Murray
4. Leone Nakarawa
5. Jonny Gray (Captain)
6. Rob Harley
7. Chris Fusaro
8. Adam Ashe

Replacements

16. Kevin Bryce
17. Ryan Grant
18. Jon Welsh
19. Tim Swinson
20. Josh Strauss
21. Duncan Weir
22. Peter Murchie
23. Lee Jones

Not available due to injury: Alex Allan (shoulder), Mark Bennett (shoulder), Mike Cusack (foot), Rossouw de Klerk (groin), Alex Dunbar (knee), Tyrone Holmes (knee), Sean Lamont (knee), Sean Maitland (shoulder) and DTH van der Merwe (hand).