ROBERT McAlpine is set to make his first start for Glasgow Warriors after being named in the team to face Zebre on Saturday. 

Gregor Townsend's side travel to Italy hoping to maintain their strong start to the Pro12 season against the rock-bottom outfit from Parma.

Second row McAlpine came off the bench for his debut in the win over Newport Gwent Dragons last week and has been named alongside Scotland international Rob Harley in the Warriors line-up. 

Read more: Patience is the key to cracking Zebre, says WilsonGlasgow Times: Glasgow Warriors' head coach Gregor Townsend. Picture: SNS

Number eight Ryan Wilson returns to captain the side and is joined in the back row by Josh Strauss at blindside and Fraser Brown at openside flanker.

Centurion Sean Lamont has been handed his first start of the season on the right wing, while there is a new centre partnership of Sam Johnson and Nick Grigg.

The half-back spots will be filled by Ali Price and Rory Clegg, who both came off the bench last week, while Italy international Leonardo Sarto could face his former club after being named on the bench.

Head coach Townsend said: “Robert McAlpine has worked hard since he joined us last week and we look forward to him playing alongside Rob Harley.

"Callum Hunter-Hill impressed us with his workrate during pre-season against Harlequins, and now has an opportunity to make an impact from the bench in a Pro12 game.

“Zebre have shown that they are very strong at home, with a narrow defeat to Cardiff a couple of weeks ago and an impressive first-half performance against Connacht the previous week.

"Unfortunately for them, the match was then postponed and I’m sure that they will be very determined to carry on this home form against us. We will have to be accurate and work hard to win out in Parma.”

Glasgow have won three of their opening five league fixtures and currently occupy sixth place in the Pro12 table, five points behind leaders Ulster.