Selfless Simone targets biggest prize
SIMONE FAVARO is used to making sacrifices — it is what has made him a winner. The Glasgow back-row forward was so determined to make a good impression when he joined the club from Treviso earlier this season that he put his international career with Italy on hold to focus on carving out a place in Gregor Townsend’s side.
His reward for such a selfless act came last week, when the 27-yearold was named Glasgow Warriors McCrea Financial Services Player of the Season. Now he wants to build on that personal accolade by ending the campaign on a collective high and helping Warriors retain their Pro12 crown.
The one hurdle that stands in the way of an appearance in the Final at Murrayfield on May 28 comes in the shape of Irish shock troops Connacht this weekend.
‘It was a special occasion receiving the McCrea Financial Services Player of the Season trophy as that represents my work through my first season, but I want to get something more, a big trophy for the team,’ Favaro told Sportsmail.
‘I left Treviso to join Glasgow last summer because I want to win something and that is my aim.
‘I played for my national team, which is a huge honour, but I want to give another reason for my career. I want to win something so bad. I want to look back at the end of my playing days and say: “I did that, I won that”.’
Favaro admits it was tough taking a temporary break from the Italian national team but it would be more than justified if he helped Glasgow into the Pro12 Final.
The defeat to Connacht in the last regulation game of the season still gnaws away at him. It handed the Irish side home advantage for this weekend’s play-off semi-final.
Favaro came off the bench in that seven-point defeat and will be fighting both Ryan Wilson and Chris Fusaro for a starting place on Saturday. He is desperate to get the nod and said: ‘I wanted to give something back to Glasgow this season because they have given me a great opportunity and I am living a great moment at this club.
‘Glasgow wanted me to sign so bad and made me incredibly welcome but my physical condition was not at its best when I arrived here, so I wanted to improve and to give my all to the club this season to repay them.’
His determination has been noted not only by the fans but also Townsend and his coaching staff.
‘Simone didn’t want to play in the Six Nations because he felt he owed the club something, which wasn’t the case at all,’ said the Warriors head coach.
‘He has shown incredible commitment. He has battled through a couple of injuries and he puts his body on the line for this club. These are the things our supporters really appreciate.
‘On and off the field he has really embraced the club and he loves Scotland. For him to win the McCrea Financial Services Player of the Season shows the impact he has had in his first season at Scotstoun.’
That love for all things Scottish has seen Favaro revel in his new surroundings. Such a successful end to the season is in sharp contrast to the anxiety he felt on his arrival. But hard work has had its rewards.
‘I was quite insecure when I arrived,’ admitted Favaro. ‘Maybe because I was not in my best physical condition, but Glasgow has shown me the good vibe again and I feel great just now.
‘If you give me something really good like Glasgow have, even if you don’t want anything back, I will want to give you something back and this is what I am trying to do.
‘I am Italian though. You cannot change my blood. Watching Italy get nothing back from the Six Nations was really tough. I will play for Italy again but just now I am totally Glasgow.
‘When I came to Scotland, I said to myself I don’t want to be an Italian. I want to live like a Scotsman and take on the culture.’
GLASGOW Warriors prop Sila Puafisi won’t play again this season after being banned for three weeks for ‘striking an opponent with the head’.
Pending any appeal, Puafisi will now miss the Pro12 semi-final against Connacht in Galway this Saturday and also the Final at Murrayfield the following week if Glasgow were to emerge victorious.
The tight-head was banned after being red carded in the 14-7 defeat to Connacht in Galway in the final regulation league match of the season.