GLASGOW were rocked by Euro blow yesterday when stand-in skipper Pete Murchie was ruled out of their Champions Cup campaign launch.

Murchie sustained serious arm-muscle damage during the dramatic Pro12 victory over Connacht and will be sidelined for several weeks.

The bicep injury puts him out of the running for the tournament opener against Racing 92 in Paris on November 11.

Warriors coach Gregor Townsend, preparing for tonight’s home-turf encounter with the British Army, said: “It is a real shame for Peter and disappointing for us.

“With so many guys away on World Cup duty, he had been an important part of our plans.

“We will have to manage the situation and his absence will present an opportunity for someone else to come in at centre.”

On the tussle with the Army, Townsend added: “They will have six of seven Fijians in their squad who will be fit and tough.

“It will be valuable preparation for our return to league business against Munster in Ireland on Friday.”

Meanwhile new signing Junior Bulumakau insists the clash with his squaddie mates will be as demanding an encounter as any European or Pro12 match.

The winger declared: “Next month they will be defending their Services World Cup at Aldershot, so they will be treating the match at Scotstoun very seriously.

“I know a lot of their players very well, both on and off the pitch - in fact we have been very close at family level.

“These friendships will be suspended for 80 minutes because we will all have jobs to do.”

Glasgow (from): S Cummings, R Harley, C Hunter-Hill, K Low, M Cusack, Z Fagerson, D Rae, G Bryce, J Bulumakau, N Godsmark, L Jones, A Ashe, J Hill, A Allan, G Hunter, G Strain, R Fergusson, N Grigg, S Johnson, F Lyle, H Blake, J Eddie, C Fusaro, T Holmes, J Malcolm, F Scott, R Clegg, G Hunter, G Hart, G Horne, A Price.