The Warriors faithful won’t forget Gregor’s golden years in a hurry
GREGOR TOWNSEND’S time in charge of Glasgow Warriors started with a low-key 20-17 loss to Castres in a training game in Lacaune in the south of France on August 3, 2012, watched by only a handful of fans.
It will come to an end when the final whistle sounds between the Warriors and edinburgh at a sold-out Scotstoun on Saturday evening when more than 7,200 fans will get up on their feet to give him a rousing send-off.
Townsend leaves Glasgow after becoming the most successful club coach in Scottish rugby during the professional era. If you are looking for flaws in his make-up since he took over, you won’t find many.
Failing to qualify for the Pro12 play-offs this season — for the first time on his watch — is one. To counter-balance that, he led his side into the knock-out stage of the Champions Cup for the first time, where they eventually lost in the quarter-finals to Saracens.
Poor discipline has been an issue this season. eleven yellows and one red card over the course of the campaign means only Zebre boast a worse Pro12 disciplinary record.
Townsend’s player recruitment was generally very successful, with Fijian giant Leone nakarawa — now starring for Racing 92 — probably the pick of the bunch.
On the down side there was USA international Carlin Isles and Irish centre James Downey. The less said about them the better.
The highlight remains the 2015 Pro12 final victory over Munster in Belfast. He can also toast the fact that in his time in charge there were more Glasgow Warriors players picked to play for Scotland than from any other club.
Crowds have increased since he took over and the sold-out signs have gone up at every Glasgow home game this season, which is a remarkable achievement.
When Townsend replaced Sean Lineen at Glasgow in 2012, many felt his lack of coaching experience would be a problem but soon those concerns evaporated as the mercurial former Scotland fly-half moulded a team in his own image.
He hasn’t done it alone. Matt Taylor has been by his side for most of his tenure and will follow him to Scotland, as will coaches Dan McFarland and Mike Blair.
Star players such as Finn Russell, Jonny Gray and Stuart Hogg have flourished under Townsend’s shrewd stewardship, and incoming coach Dave Rennie will inherit a squad packed full of talent.
no doubt some will question Townsend’s ability to make the leap to international level. Judging by his impact at Glasgow over the past five years, and the rich legacy he leaves behind at Scotstoun, they will be forced to think again.