Caledonian Stadium in Inverness to host Glasgow Warriors pre-season friendly against Worcester Warriors in conjunction with Highland Rugby Club's centenary celebrations
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One of Scotland's two professional rugby clubs will head to the Highland capital later this year for a pre-season friendly.
The Glasgow Warriors will take on the Worcester Warriors at ICT's Caledonian Stadium on Friday, September 2 as they build up to the 2022/23 campaign.
Rugby has been played at the stadium before, with Scotland Women having played international matches there in the past while the Glasgow Caledonians narrowly lost to Edinburgh there in 2000.
This time, though, the Warriors will boast a homegrown talent in their ranks, with Scotland international Jamie Dobie part of the Glasgow set-up.
Recent years have also seen the likes of Sevens star Paddy Kelly and Bruce Flockhart represent Inverness at Scotstoun.
It will be the first time in four years that the Warrors have taken a home game on the road, with Perth the last venue outside of Glasgow in a match against Harlequins.
Last time Glasgow took on Worcester it was a pre-season friendly last year, with two tries from Rufus McLean helping the Scottish side to a 27–22 away win last September.
Glasgow Warriors managing director, Al Kellock, said: “We’re delighted to be taking our first pre-season fixture of the 2022/23 season to Inverness.
"We have a passionate group of fans in the North of Scotland who we’re looking forward to putting on this game for.
"We will be up earlier in the week and as well as preparing for the game will work closely with Highland RFC to deliver sessions to the local rugby community.”
“We also look forward to using this week to connect with our commercial partners who have a presence in the north of Scotland.
"A huge part of our partnerships are driven through engagement with staff and customers, therefore, this is a great opportunity to further strengthen this area.
“These matches will be the first games for our new head coach, once they are appointed, to make their mark, and for our fans it will be a first chance to see our new signings in action.”
Inverness Caledonian Thistle chief executive offiver Scot Gardiner, said: “Everyone at Inverness Caledonian Thistle Football Club is proud to be playing a part in celebrating the centenary of Highland Rugby and to support the innovative thinking of Glasgow Warriors in taking a home game, indeed a professional fixture on the road, to Inverness.
“The partnership with Glasgow Warriors and Highland Rugby is a creative venture and fits perfectly into our ongoing plans to help bolster our business and widen the exposure and presence in the community of ICTFC.
“We look forward to giving a real Highland welcome to rugby fans from all over the country, but especially those from Glasgow and Worcester.”
Highland Rugby Club president, Graham Findlater, said: “Highland RFC is delighted to welcome both Glasgow Warriors and Worcester Warriors to Inverness, as we celebrate our club centenary.
"Thank you to Inverness Caledonian Thistle for making the stadium available for the match and to everyone involved in the considerable planning for the game.
“I encourage all rugby supporters in the local area and further afield, to buy tickets for the game and come to Inverness to watch what is sure to be a great game of rugby.”
