Peter Horne, seen in action here against Munster, is one of eight Warriors named in the Gael Force squad.

Gael Force head coach Stephen Gemmell has named eight Glasgow Warriors players in his match-day 22 for the opening match of the British and Irish Cup at Cornish Pirates on Sunday 22 November (kick off 2pm).

Looking forward to the game, Gemmell commented: “We are all looking forward to it. The two warm-up games have been beneficial. This match will be a step up and it is an away fixture which is never easy.

“But I think the squad we have selected has got a good balance of professionals and up-and-coming Academy players.

“We want to go down and show everybody involved in the competition and rugby supporters everywhere that we have got good players here in Scotland.”

Gemmell has selected a starting line-up with an average age of just 23 and with three National Academy players, prop Nicky Little, back row forward Stuart McInally and centre Stevie Wilson in the starting XV.

Gael Force will represent Scotland in the competition alongside last season’s Scottish Hydro Premier Division 1 champions Ayr and reigning Scottish Hydro Cup holders Heriot’s in the new cross border competition. Gael Force are sponsored by Spire Murrayfield Hospital, Scottish Rugby’s official healthcare partner.

Gael Force squad to play Cornish Pirates in the British and Irish Cup at Recreation Ground, Camborne (Sunday 22 November, kick-off 2pm)

15 Peter Horne (Glasgow Warriors)

14 Chris Kinloch (Glasgow Warriors)
13 Hefin O’Hare (Glasgow Warriors)
12 Stevie Wilson (National Academy and Edinburgh Academicals)
11 Andrew Turnbull (Edinburgh)

10 David Blair (captain, Edinburgh)
9 Ross Samson (Edinburgh)

1 Nicky Little (National Academy and Hawick)
2 Fergus Thomson (Glasgow Warriors)
3 David Young (Edinburgh)
4 Tim Barker (Glasgow Warriors)
5 Dan Turner (Glasgow Warriors)
6 Fraser McKenzie (Edinburgh)
7 Ross Rennie (Edinburgh)
8 Stuart McInally (National Academy and Watsonians)

Substitutes: Sean Crombie (Edinburgh), Colin Phillips (National Academy and Stewart’s Melville), James Eddie (Glasgow Warriors), Callum Forrester (Glasgow Warriors), Peter Jericevich (National Academy and Glasgow Hawks), Ross Aitken (National Academy and Howe and Fife), Tom Bury (National Academy and Boroughmuir)