I’ll only pick guys who will do a job for me
Ruthless Rennie ready to ditch star Finn for Horne
GLASGOW coach Dave Rennie has defended his decision to ditch superstar Finn Russell for one of Warriors’ biggest rugby matches of the season.
Ruthless Rennie insisted Pete Horne is the right man to fill the No.10 berth in tonight’s crucial clash with Connacht at Scotstoun.
Glasgow need a win to make sure they stay at home in the Pro14 semi-finals.
And the tough-talking coach said: “Finn found it a bit of a battle in his first game back after the Six Nations.
“I want everyone to understand that regardless of reputation, I’m just going to play guys who we think can do the job for us. We need Finn at his best.
“Hornie is an accomplished BY DAVID KELSO stand-off as well – and he gets a crack this time.
“A lot of the boys looked tired last week against the Scarlets following their nineweek stint with Scotland.
“We gave them a couple of weeks to freshen up mentally and physically. When we don’t win, as a coaching group we look at ourselves too.”
Russell will leave Glasgow to join Racing 92 at the end of the season but Rennie stressed that the player has lost no motivation.
He said: “Finn is desperate to go with another title under his belt but ultimately you are judged by your performance and preparation.
“If guys don’t perform you have two options: you give them another crack or you apply a bit of pressure by showing confidence in others.
“We have lots of competition for places. Finn has had a pretty good run of it, starting every game for Scotland, but I have confidence in Hornie.
“His attention to detail is excellent and he’s professional in preparation. He just needs more time in the seat.
“There is every chance he will play a lot for us at 10 next season in Finn’s absence.”
Test centre Alex Dunbar is back in the fray after missing the entire Six Nations series.
Rennie said: “It will be good to see Alex back. He’s trained and prepared really well.”
Meanwhile, prop Oli Kebble is out for the rest of the season after suffering ankle damage against Scarlets.
Dougie Fife insisted Edinburgh will go flat out to beat the Scarlets so they don’t have to rely on a lastchance derby win to reach the Pro14 knockout phase.
Defeat to the high-flying Welshmen could leave the Gunners needing to topple Glasgow in the last regular league match.
Fife said: “We haven’t even talked about the Glasgow match but if we don’t get the job done this weekend and Ulster keep winning, it will come down to that last game.
“But we have given ourselves the chance to make sure before that and we will throw everything at it.”