Glasgow Warriors have made eight changes for Saturday's Champions Cup opener at Sale Sharks, including a first appearance of the season for three Scotland internationals. Warriors captain Kyle Steyn, prop Zander Fagerson and lock Alex Craig all start, while Ruwald van der Merwe is set to make his club debut at number eight having signed from Pumas in the summer. Only Nathan McBeth, Scott Cummings and Rory Darge retain their places in the forward pack that started the URC win over Connacht last time out as Seb Stephen starts at hooker and the fit-again Euan Ferrie starts in the back row. Head coach Franco Smith sticks with the half-back pairing of George Horne and Dan Lancaster, with Stafford McDowall partnering Sione Tuipulotu in the centres. Steyn joins Jamie Dobie and Kyle Rowe in a potent-looking back three. "We look forward to getting our Champions Cup campaign under way tomorrow against a Sale Sharks squad we know will provide a strong, physical test in front of their home supporters," Smith said. "Ruwald has worked hard since arriving in Glasgow to put himself in the best position possible, and has earned his opportunity to start tomorrow. "We are also pleased to welcome Kyle, Alex, Zander and Euan back into the line-up – each player has been diligent in their work with our medical and S&C teams, ensuring that they are in the best shape for their return." Glasgow Warriors XV to face Sale Sharks: Rowe, Steyn, McDowall, Tuipulotu, Dobie, Lancaster, Horne; McBeth, Stephen, Fagerson, Craig, Cummings, Ferrie, Darge, Van der Merwe. Replacements: Hiddleston, Schickerling, Talakai, Oguntibeju, Brown, Miller, Reidy, Smith.