ASHE CLOUD
RUGBY PRO14 COUNTDOWN
BY RODDY DUNCAN ADAM ASHE is aiming to help Glasgow go down a storm in Galway when they launch their Pro14 glory quest on Saturday.
But the Warriors flanker is praying the weather won’t be as wild as it was the last time they squared up to Connacht on their own patch.
The sides clash this weekend with Dave Rennie’s Glasgow determined to get off to the perfect start in their Conference A campaign.
And fired-up star Ashe can’t wait to get back into the competitive fray after a hard summer of training.
He said: “We are really looking forward to the new challenge and doing better than last season.
“We won our section but could not get further than the semis.
“Galway is a place we are very familiar with, especially me as it is the away ground on which I have played most. But we are all hoping that conditions are a lot more kind than they were this time last year.
“It was a terrible day – 60mph gales and absolutely hammering down with rain. Not what you might expect at this early stage of the campaign.
“But at least we managed to grind out a good win.”
Ashe, who is back to full fitness after a series of injuries, warned that the Irish side will be no pushovers. He said: “They have gone pretty well in pre-season so it will be tough. They have also recruited some decent players in key positions.
“We will, however, be concentrating on ourselves and will go there full of intent to get the job done and earn the ideal start to the season.”
Ashe insisted coach Rennie has not set any targets for the campaign – other than to keep on winning.
He said: “Of course we are aiming to come out on top every week but there is no official goal as such. We are out to be successful in the league and also in Europe.
“As a group we will go into every match determined to perform to the best of our ability.”
Meanwhile, battling Scotland legend Doddie Weir has been unveiled as one of the star pundits on Premier Sports, who will be covering every match live.
Murrayfield hero Weir, who is fighting the effects of Motor Neurone Disease, will feature alongside other former Test aces Ally Kellock and Rory Lawson.
ADAM ASHE
Doddie admitted he is thrilled to be involved in beaming matches featuring Glasgow and Edinburgh, who open their account against Ospreys in Wales on Friday.
He said: “It will help me to keep in touch with the sport all the more closely.
“In addition it will be something to think about while other things are going on in my life.”
“The 50 grand would be handy as I’ve already told my daughter Scarlett if I win I’ll take her to Disneyland but it also would be a huge boost to my career.
“It has been a frustrating few years with injuries and fights falling through. This