JOHNNIE BEATTIE will be the first of Scotland’s wounded stars from the autumn internationals to make his return to action when he appears for the Glasgow Warriors against Magners League leaders Ulster at Hughenden tonight, writes Steve Scott, rugby correspondent.

Beattie injured his ankle in the second autumn test against the Pacific Islanders but returns for Jon Petrie, who has been ruled out with a knee injury sustained in the last-gasp victory over the Borders just before New Year.

Former Howe of Fife hooker Fergus Thomson returns to the starting line-up, as does Colin Gregor whose injury-time try set up victory at Netherdale.

Meanwhile Borders coach Steve Bates has made only one change to the side edged by the Warriors for the tough away trip to Cardiff.

The change is to recall Gregor Townsend, who missed the Glasgow match after suffering a knock in a training accident, for Steve Jones at stand-off.

Townsend has started only three games in this his final season as a professional, but played well in the close Heineken Cup match with Biarritz just before Christmas.

Glasgow Warriors (v Ulster, Hughenden, tonight, kick-off 5.30pm):

C Gregor; R Lamont, H O’Hare, A Henderson, T Evans; D Parks, G Beveridge; J Va’a, F Thomson, E Murray; D Turner, A Kellock (capt); A Wilson, J Barclay, J Beattie.

Replacements—E Milligan, K Tkachuk, A Newman, J Eddie, S Swindall, S Pinder, S Barrow.

Borders (v Cardiff Blues, Arms Park, tonight, kick-off 5.30pm):

C MacRae; S Danielli, N De Luca, B Rennie, B Daniel; G Townsend, R Chrystie; G Kerr, S Scott, E Kalman; S Grimes, O Palepoi; S Gray, A Miller, K Brown.

Replacements—R Ford, B Douglas, S Newlands, J Dalziel, B McKerchar, S Jones, G Law.