GREGOR TOWNSEND is forecasting a battle of the brawn when Warriors lock horns with Ospreys tomorrow.

The Glasgow coach is wary of the aggressive approach the visitors will bring to Scotstoun for tomorrow's Guinness Pro12 clash.

And he has warned his side will have to match them in every part of the field to maintain their start to the season in a bid to retain their Pro12 crown.

Townsend said: "Ospreys will be really fired up for this game and they are coming to Glasgow with a strong team.

"They play really physical rugby and have a confrontational and organised defence.

"It’s just the type of challenge we relish and we have been working hard this week to deliver our best performance of the season on Sunday."

Warriors head into the game, which kicks off at 2.30pm, on the back of last week's disappointing defeat to Leinster.

But Townsend is convinced that result will provide the spur for his team to get back to winning ways fast.

In terms of team news, tight-head prop Sila Puafisi will make full his debut along with USA international lock Greg Peterson, whose two previous appearances have come from the bench.

The Tongan international returns from the Rugby World Cup, along with Fijian second-row Leone Nakarawa and Scotland trio Tommy Seymour, Peter Horne and Gordon Reid.

Seymour starts at full-back, with Sean Lamont moving to the left wing in place of Rory Hughes and Lee Jones coming in on the opposite side for Taqele Naiyaravoro, who has been named amongst the replacements.

Richie Vernon and Peter Horne renew their centre partnership, after playing together in midfield for the final six games of last season.

Duncan Weir and Mike Blair continue their half-back partnership.

In the front-row Reid comes in for Alex Allan and Puafisi replaces Zander Fagerson, while Pat MacArthur continues at hooker.

Peterson and Nakarawa link up for the first time in the engine room and it’s the same back-row that started last week’s game against Leinster, with Rob Harley, Simone Favaro and Ryan Wilson combining.

BT Sport Scottish Rugby Academy Stage 3 hooker James Malcolm is named on the bench for the first time, while Ali Price could make his first appearance of the season and Sam Johnson is in line to make his competitive debut for the club.

Townsend is delighted that his ranks have been bolstered by the return of so many internationals.

He added: "It’s great to have five more international players back from the Rugby World Cup and they will add to the experience we have within our squad.

"Ali Price is on the bench for the first time this season and with Henry Pyrgos facing a few months on the sidelines, it’s important that we give Ali an opportunity to compete for the No.9 jersey with Mike Blair and Grayson Hart.

"Sam Johnson has been working hard to get back to fitness after his shoulder injury and played well for Stirling County at the weekend, so we’re delighted to be able to include him in our squad.

"We look forward to seeing Sila Puafisi in a Warriors shirt for the first time and James Malcolm potentially making his competitive debut for the club."

Meanwhile, the club has issued an injury update on Pyrgos, and hooker Fraser Brown, who suffered injuries while on Scotland international duty.

Pyrgos exacerbated a wrist injury while away with Scotland and has undergone surgery at Spire Leeds Hospital, whilst under the care of the Scotland medical team. He is expected to be out of action for around four months.

Brown has had an operation on a foot injury and is expected to remain on the sidelines for up to eight weeks.