TWO weeks ago, Glasgow Warriors and Leinster played out a humdinger of a game in the European Champions Cup, neither side giving an inch in a ferociously physical encounter. So what are the odds on a repeat of that spectacle when they face each other again in the Guinness PRO14? Slim.

This weekend is the week before the autumn Tests kick off and both Scotland and Ireland have held back key players so that, compared with the sides that did battle in Europe, Glasgow have had to change nine and Leinster 13.

That said, it is a key game for the Scots, who are unbeaten in the league and have admitted that is now their only realistic chance of silverware this season after losing both their opening Champions Cup matches. Experience has proven that the ability to win while the Test players are away makes all the difference in reaching the end of season play-offs and seedings once there.

The first test of Glasgow's strength in depth actually finds the club in remarkably good shape despite having nine players held back for Scotland duty and eight on the injury list.

For one thing, it gives Dave Rennie, the head coach, the chance to fulfil an ambition for two of his players, brothers Peter and George Horne, who get the chance to start a game as half back partners for the first time.

George earned the opportunity with a sparking man-of-the-match performance against the Southern Kings last week, while Peter, who is equally at home at fly half or inside centre, has been slotted in as his partner despite the impressive showing from Adam Hastings in the same game.

"I really rate Peter, he’s an outstanding player," said Rennie. "He’s got a lot of experience and a lot of knowledge – he’s one of our leaders so he ticks a lot of boxes. I’m very keen to get Peter on the field somewhere and our midfielders have been going pretty well, we have a fair bit of cover round there, so it makes sense [to play him at 10].

"I’m sure George will do what he’s told by his brother, they’ll be a good combination. They train a lot together anyway. We’re fortunate there because Peter and Henry [Pyrgos, the bench scrum-half] have played a lot together as well. We thought George was excellent last week so we wanted to back that up with a reward of starting this week.

"I really rate Peter, I like the way he plays. He’s pretty demanding as a leader but he’s a good man and he understands when to put an arm around a guy and so on. His authority will be really important in a game like this."

The other significant change to the side sees Callum Gibbins, who arrived only in September, promoted to captain. Rob Harley, who did the job last week, had been away training with Scotland until yesterday and Ryan Wilson, the club captain, is one of those held back in the national camp.

"It makes sense for Callum – who is one of our leaders – to take the reins, I’m sure he’ll do an excellent job," Rennie said. "He’s captained Manawatu for a number of years and has a lot of experience. He’s built his credibility and earned respect amongst the boys since arriving here."

He also has Jamie Bhatti unexpectedly back from Scotland training to shore up the scrum. The prop was one of only two loosehead in the national squad and is a near-certainty for his debut cap next week, when they face Samoa – usually that would mean him standing down from club duty this week.

He was, however, rested last week and Rennie had no hesitation in pitching him into battle against Leinster after the rest. "Gregor [Townsend, the Scotland coach] has been great; there have been no demands around game time and that sort of thing," Rennie said. "We’re missing a few because nine have stayed with Scotland, but he’s well aware that our boys have got a job to do. There’s a handful who he wants to get some game time, so hopefully everyone will come through unscathed.

"Jamie has played a lot of footy for us over the previous eight weeks so it was a good chance to freshen him up last week. Playing a bit more footy this week is a good chance for everyone."

Leinster, are even more affected by international demands and have an even younger side out than Glasgow do, with one player, centre Conor O'Brien, making his debut while full back Jordan Larmour will be playing only his second game.

"They’re missing a few but what we know about Leinster is that they have excellent depth," Rennie pointed out. "Even when they’ve got frontline guys out, the replacements are invariably international players, so we’ll expect a very similar performance from them – they’re really nuggety up front."