Gala’s Kerr Johnston given first start for Glasgow Warriors
Gala’s Kerr Johnston was given his first start for Glasgow Warriors away to Llanelli’s Scarlets on Saturday but was unable to help avert a 23-0 defeat.
That first starting place for the former Scotland under-20 international came nine months on from his debut off the bench, also in Wales, during a 45-20 win against Newport’s Dragons.
The Borderer was a 55th-minute replacement for Josh McKay at Rodney Parade back in February and he played on the left wing for the first 49 minutes at the weekend before making way for George Horne.
Josh MacLeod and Macs Page scored Scarlets’ tries, with Sam Costelow converting both and also kicking three penalties.
Warriors’ next game is away to Sale Sharks this Friday in the European Rugby Champions Cup, with kick-off in Greater Manchester at 8pm.
Saturday’s defeat, only Warriors’ second of the new United Rugby Championship season, leaves them fifth in the table, with 20 points from seven fixtures.
Johnston, 20, is one of two Borderers in head coach Franco Smith’s Warriors squad, the other being 46-times-capped former Hawick and Gala loosehead prop Rory Sutherland.
Reviewing Saturday’s away loss, Smith, 53, said: “We said we’ll bring the young guys through, and we’ll work hard with them.
“There are maybe five or six games this season when the young guys will have to step up. That is the growth of the club. That is my commitment to Scottish rugby.
“I love to work with the boys that are already at the top end, but our objective and the plan is also to bring the next generation of players through.
“Some of these lessons are invaluable – you can’t explain experience, you have to experience it.”