GREGOR TOWNSEND wants his Warriors to bring a week of hurt to an end tonight against Scarlets.

The pain inflicted on them by rivals Edinburgh at Murrayfield a week ago cut deep into the Glasgow group, with them losing top spot in the Guinness Pro12 and the 1872 Cup in the process.

Tonight's match-up with the Welsh outfit at Scotstoun represents their last domestic match for a month as the attention turns to the European Rugby Champions Cup ties with Montpellier and Bath.

And with many of the Warriors squad set to go off on international duty for the Six Nations, head coach Townsend is keen for them to banish the demons of their BT Murrayfield misery and sink Scarlets promptly.

He said: "We were disappointed with the performance and result last weekend and the players have been hurting since the game at BT Murrayfield.

"Tonight is a great opportunity for them to deliver a much improved performance and show our loyal supporters how hard they are willing to work to bounce back with a win.

"We face a tough challenge against the Scarlets, who are very well-coached and have a number of quality players in their side."

This evening will also be a landmark occasion for prop Mike Cusack as he has finally reaches the end of a long road back from injury.

The 30-year-old will make his first start for Glasgow Warriors this season in tonight's 7.35pm kick-off.

Cusack is included for the first time since featuring in the defeat to the Dragons at Rodney Parade in February 2014. It will be his first appearance at Scotstoun since November 2012.

The Scottish qualified prop has battled injury and illness over the past two seasons, but his return is a big boost for the Warriors.

And Townsend said: "It's great to be able to welcome back Mike Cusack for tomorrow's match. He's shown a lot of courage over the last couple of seasons and his hard work has been rewarded with a starting place in the team."

Following the defeat to Edinburgh, Peter Murchie keeps his place at full-back and Tommy Seymour is retained on the left wing, while Sean Lamont comes in for Sean Maitland on the opposite side.

The centre partnership remains the same, with Peter Horne at inside centre and Alex Dunbar outside him. It's also the same half-back pairing from last week, with Finn Russell at stand-off and Niko Matawalu at scrum-half.

In the pack there is a new front-row, with Jerry Yanuyanutawa, Pat MacArthur and Cusack, coming in for Gordon Reid, Dougie Hall and Jon Welsh.

Tim Swinson replaces Al Kellock in the second-row and he'll partner Jonny Gray.

Ryan Wilson moves across the backrow to play at openside flanker, replacing the injured Tyrone Holmes. Leone Nakarawa starts at blindside flanker, with Josh Strauss captaining the team from No.8.

Meanwhile, it has been announced that former Scotland forward Bob Gemmill has passed away at the age of 84.

Playing his club rugby for Glasgow High School FP, he made his debut in dark blue aged just 19 in an 8-5 victory over France at Murrayfield back in 1950, with him to go on and earn a further six caps.

A statement from the SRU read: "Scottish Rugby is saddened to learn of the death of former Scotland forward Bob Gemmill who passed away on Christmas Day. He was 84.

"Scottish Rugby extends its sincere condolences to all Bob Gemmill's family and friends."

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