Glasgow Warriors will begin their 2022/23 season campaign in Inverness with the club hosting Worcester Warriors at the Caledonian Stadium in Inverness on Friday 2 September, kick-off 7.30pm
It will be the first time Glasgow Warriors have hosted a professional fixture at the venue, home of Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC, since Caledonian Reds played Edinburgh there back in 2000. It will also be the first time that the club has taken a home game on the road since 2018, when the Warriors faced Harlequins in Perth.
The fixture will be part of Highland Rugby Club’s centenary year celebrations and gives the club and players a chance to connect with the rugby community and the Warrior Nation in the north of Scotland.
Glasgow and Worcester most recently met at Sixways Stadium last September, where two tries from Rufus McLean helped Danny Wilson’s men record a 27-22 away-win.
The following weekend, Glasgow Warriors will return to Scotstoun Stadium to face United Rugby Championship opponents Ulster in this year’s The Famous Grouse Pre-Season Challenge, which will take place on Friday 9 September, kick-off 7.30pm.
Ulster’s last pre-season visit to Scotstoun in 2019 was a high scoring affair, with Glasgow edging the win 36-33 courtesy of a last-minute try from Adam Nicol.
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.
ICTFC CEO 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 such as this brilliant match up v Worcester Warriors on the road, especially to Inverness!”
“The partnership with Glasgow Warriors and Highland Rugby is in itself 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.”
“And after all is said and done, the entire day and the of course the game, which is going to take place on a late summer’s Friday evening, should be great fun. 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.”