Warriors prove they are now true Eurocrats
On and off the pitch, they have improved and delivered
IT has been some journey for Glasgow Warriors — but they have finally ‘arrived’. You could argue that they had already when they won the Pro12 title for the first time in 2015.
However, the elite level of the European Champions Cup knockout stage had always remained beyond them until this season.
This stage of the tournament is regarded as one for the top eight clubs in Europe and determines whether a team has gained real credibility or not. Having missed out so many times before, Glasgow were desperate to right that wrong.
Over the years, there have been times when they underperformed and did not deserve to qualify. On other occasions, they have suffered some misfortune with really tough draws or players getting sent off early in games.
At the start of this campaign, I thought luck had gone against them again when they were pitted against two European superpowers in Munster and Leicester, plus the reigning French champions and Champions Cup runners-up Racing 92. So, it is some achievement to have emerged from this group in second place behind Munster, having done the home-and-away double over Leicester and Racing.
I thought the performance in Paris was the best I had seen by Glasgow in Europe until they went to Leicester and beat the English club 43-0.
It was incredible rugby that night from Warriors and the moment that people truly sat up and took notice because, even although Leicester have had problems this season, they are still a formidable proposition at Welford Road. To defeat them to nil then was astonishing.
What has impressed me most about Glasgow is how the club as a whole has developed. On the pitch, the team has improved and delivered. But it is off the pitch where the real development has taken place.
There must have been close to 1,000 Warriors fans at Leicester that night and what a noise they made.
When I played for Glasgow in the late nineties, it was round about the same number of supporters that turned up for a home game, far less travel to an away match. The Pro12 final was something special, with 3,000 Warriors fans making the trip to Belfast — but I am told there will be double that number at Saracens tomorrow, which is remarkable.
Although slightly outnumbered by home fans, the 6,000 Glasgow supporters will back their team with noise and passion, creating an incredible atmosphere — and provide final proof that this club has arrived on the big stage.
In their prime, Munster, Leinster and Leicester used to enjoy huge travelling supports around Europe.
That backing benefited those clubs immensely and it could do the same for Glasgow. They will need this help as they are playing against formidable opponents in Saracens.
I also love what the English club have done because they have got it right off the pitch as well.
For years, they were all about a couple of big-name signings such as Francois Pienaar, Philippe Sella, Michael Lynagh and Tim Horan, who all played for Sarries near the end of their careers.
But these big names moved on and were replaced by similar signings. There was no real culture, so this is what they addressed.
They built a team around a number of young English players and this has served them well. They also really look after their players.
Glasgow have tried to create the same type of culture and they have been pretty successful in achieving this. They are a tight bunch who are incredibly proud to represent their club and city.
That is also why 6,000 fans are travelling to London to watch them, because they are worth backing.
The game has — perhaps a little worryingly — similarities to the Six Nations clash between Scotland and England last month.
Glasgow will need to play their best to have a chance. They will be aware that if they are off their game, slightly, things could turn ugly.
Whatever happens, no-one can deny Warriors have arrived on the big stage — which makes this former Glasgow captain very proud, indeed.