Morrison did make an appearance off the bench in the Heineken Cup against Castres last month and will partner Alex Dunbar in midfield, who is also making his return from injury.
These are just two changes in a reshuffled back line from last week's away win at Edinburgh, with Tommy Seymour replacing Sean Maitland on the wing, while Stuart Hogg retains his place at full-back.
But it is the partnership of Morrison and Dunbar that most excites Townsend ahead of the test against Italian opposition Treviso, who left Firhill with a victory in the last RaboDirect PRO12 season.
"It's fantastic to have Graeme and Alex back starting for the team and it gives us yet more options in the midfield to add to an already deep list of talent," said Townsend.
"Alex was in fine form until he suffered his injury and it will be great to see him getting back to that level of performance.
"Everyone knows exactly what kind of influence Graeme can have on a match and against a tough side like Treviso, it's great to have someone of his experience at inside-centre.
"The selection this week again highlights the quality available to us as coaches and the fact that even with three changes to the back-line, it's still a very strong line-up."
With back-to-back wins against Edinburgh in the bag, Warriors are looking to make it three in a row against a Treviso side who have already racked up the hat-trick by downing Newport Gwent Dragons and two victories over Italian rivals Zebre.
But despite this run of form Treviso have made six changes for the trip to Glasgow, with Edoardo Gori coming in at scrum-half and Andrea Pratichetti being installed on the wing.
In the pack Corniel Van Zyl, Michele Rizzo and Lorenzo Cittadini are brought in while Manoa Vosawai returns as a flanker.
At Scotstoun Stadium , 7.30pm.
Referee: Leo Colgan ( IRFU, 10th competition game)
Assistant Referees: David Changleng, Graeme Marshall (both SRU)
Citing Commissioner: Peter Brown (SRU)
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