THE LONG GOODBYE
Kellock will gladly delay retirement for key tie
AL KELLOCK’S farewell match as Glasgow Warriors captain was meant t o be t he home victory against Cardiff Blues five weeks ago — when he left the pitch with a tear in his eye, holding the hands of his two young children, to a standing ovation.
Now an ankle injury which will sideline Tim Swinson for the rest of the campaign has put Kellock’s retirement plans on temporary hold — with the 33-year-old due to lead out Gregor Townsend’s side against Ulster today in front of a 10,000 Scotstoun crowd.
Having their inspirational leader back in the fold, even under such circumstances, couldn’t have come at a better time. Only a win over the Belfast outfit, most probably with a bonus point, will give Glasgow the chance of finishing in the top two of the Pro12 and securing a home semi-final play-off.
Kellock will have a huge role to play on what promises to be a thrilling last day of the regular league season.
The Warriors are joint top of the table on 70 points with Ospreys and Munster, with today’s visitors just a point behind. While home fans will be roaring their favourites on to what they hope will be victory, they will also be keeping an eye on how Ospreys are faring at Connacht and Munster at home to Newport Gwent-Dragons.
The stage is set, then, for a dramatic, late hurrah for Kellock.
‘This is the latest stage of my retirement tour,’ he laughed. ‘Not that it was Gregor’s definite plan but I got the feeling I might end up being involved again and it’s great to be picked on merit.
‘I’ve been motivated anyway over the past few weeks because I was still training with the squad after the Cardiff game. Certainly, I wasn’t going to play the length of time I have and then let things simply slip away for the last few weeks before my retirement.
‘I’ve been training as hard as I can and will make a nuisance of myself when the time is called for. I’m delighted to be involved in such a big game in my last season at the club.’
Townsend has no qualms about bringing back Kellock, who has only started and finished four of the 12 league matches he has played in this season.
‘I didn’t tell him till this week but I did think this was a game I might have played Al in anyway,’ he claimed. ‘He was excellent against Cardiff last time he played
‘ With Tim Swinson out and Leone Nakarawa on the bench, this is a great opportunity for Al and Jonny Gray to put down a marker to start in the second row in our play-off semi-final
‘Al brings a lot of intelligence in how to manage a game. He has a calming presence and helps the nine and 10 with the decisionmaking.
‘He is obviously a very strong lineout operator i n attack and defence. And very good at finding out what the referee wants from the team.
‘His 16 or 17 years of experience are vital in such a big game. It’s also important we are up to speed with what’s happening in the other games and Al can relay that information to the players.’
Glasgow have made seven changes from the team that lost at Ospreys last weekend but Ulster have made an eye-catching 12.
A mixture of injuries, suspension and the resting of key players means only Franco van der Merwe, Louis Ludik and Chris Henry remain from the side who drew with Munster.
Neil Doak has an i ncredibly strong bench, however, including Rory Best, Tommy Bowe, Paddy Jackson, Roger Wilson, Iain Henderson and Ruan Pienaar.
Townsend added: ‘We expect all those big names on the bench to come on at some stage and they can make a big difference.
‘We’ve have had some titanic battles with Ulster over the past f ew s easons and t hey play with a l ot of passion and competitiveness.
‘Hopefully playing in front of 10,000 supporters at home will give us the edge.’ GLASGOW: Hogg; Seymour, Vernon, Horne, Lamont; Russell, Matawalu; Grant, Hall, de Klerk, Gray, Kellock, Strauss, Fusaro, Ashe. ULSTER: Ludik; Scholes, Arnold, McCloskey, Allen; Humphreys, Marshall; Warwick, Herring, Lutton, Stevenson, van der Merwe, Ross, Henry, Diack.