Rennie ready to turn to reserves
Autumn internationals take hold but Warriors boss remains upbeat
WITH it being the week before the Autumn Internationals kick off, this weekend’s clash between Glasgow Warriors and Leinster is unlikely to be a repeat of the humdinger European Champions Cup game of a fortnight ago.
Ireland and Scotland will be holding back key players from the sides that did battle in Europe – Glasgow having 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 where their only realistic chance of silverware will come this season after losing both their opening Champions Cup matches.
The first test of Glasgow’s strength in depth actually gives boss Dave Rennie 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.
George earned the opportunity with a sparkling man-of-the-match performance against the Southern Kings last week, while Peter has been slotted in despite the impressive showing from Adam Hastings in that game.
“I really rate Peter, he’s an outstanding player,” said Rennie. “He’s got a lot of experience and a l ot of knowledge – he’s one of our leaders so he ticks a lot of boxes. I’m 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.”
The other significant change to the side sees Callum Gibbins, who arrived 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 also has Jamie Bhatti unexpectedly back from Scotland training to shore up the scrum. The prop was one of only two looseheads in the national squad and is a nearcertainty for his debut cap next week, when they face Samoa.
He was, however, rested last week and Rennie had no hesitation in pitching him into battle against Leinster after the GLASGOW Rocks coach Tony Garbelotto will urge his rookie recruits to prepare themselves for their biggest test of the British Basketball League campaign so far.
The in-form Scots visit title rivals London Lions in the league tonight but then have less than 48 hours to recover for their Cup quarter-final against Worcester Wolves.
And Garbelotto admits he will hammer home the importance of the two-way challenge into young imports Martez Harrison and Jalen Billups as his team attempt to retain their upward trajectory.
“This league is a learning process for them,” he said. “For Kofi Josephs as well, because he’s never played in this league. But I don’t think it’s going to be hard for them to understand what a big game London is.”
Following four consecutive victories that have elevated the Rocks into third place in the standings, Garbelotto concedes he has been risk-adverse in extending Earl Brown’s one-month deal by a week ahead of a pivotal double-header.
And he will likely restore Billups to the starting line-up after an ankle sprain.
“When Jalen’s dialled in and locked in to what he needs to do, he’s slowly getting it,” said Garbelotto.
“He had 19 points in 22 minutes last weekend after not practising all week.
“But we have maturity to help him. That’s where Kieron Achara and Gareth Murray really have so much to contribute.” rest. Rennie said: “Gregor [Townsend] has been great. There have been no demands around game time.
“We’re missing a few but he’s well aware that our boys have got a job to do.”
Leinster, are even more affected by international demands and have an even younger side out than Glasgow, with 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 said. “Even when they’ve got frontline guys out, the replacements are invariably internationals.””