Warriors can cut it in Europe this time
IT won’t be edinburgh’s year in europe. even their head coach Richard Cockerill has admitted that. For Glasgow Warriors, however, it could be very different.
This, finally, could be the season when Dave Rennie’s men make an impact in the heineken Champions Cup.
Set aside english giants Saracens, who they play first up at Scotstoun next weekend, and Warriors have nobody to fear in their group.
Lyon are third in the Top14, while Cardiff Blues hold the same position in Conference A in the Pro14 — eight points behind leaders Glasgow. Both are beatable.
The only blip in Glasgow’s season thus far — and it was quite a blip — was the surprise defeat against the Southern Kings in South Africa a fortnight ago.
Rennie’s team are undefeated outwith that surprisingly poor performance.
Warriors were in an even better position going into last season’s european Cup, winning six out of six league games.
They were then brutally brought down to earth, finishing bottom of their Champions Cup group with just one win from their six matches.
however, that was Rennie’s first time coaching in european competition and he is a quick learner.
The Kiwi has taken on board the need to step up preparations ahead of the Saracens match — and not to treat it as just another game.
That is why he has taken his team off to a specially-arranged training camp in Largs this week rather than have them work out as they usually do at Scotstoun.
‘It’s a chance to re-focus and spend a bit more quality time together ahead of such a big match,’ said Rennie.
‘We want to make this Saracens game feel special.’
he wants to create a Test match feel to the build-up — and surely that increase in focus can only benefit his side.
Of course, the loss of Stuart hogg for at least the first two european games with an ankle injury is a blow.
however, the young half-back pairing of George horne and Adam hastings can provide plenty of creativity in their own right and inspire their side not just to victory over Saracens but also to qualification from Pool Three.
They bossed the game for Scotland in the win over Argentina in the summer and have the potential to do it again against a top english outfit. The signs are good, with hastings and horne in top form in the bonus point 36-8 home win over Zebre at the weekend.
A Glasgow victory over the twotime heineken Cup champions inspired by the young half-back pairing will make the rest of europe sit up and take notice.
As for edinburgh, they will go into their group matches more in hope than expectation.
They have Montpellier away and Toulon at home in their first two games, with Newcastle Falcons completing the group line-up.
It is a big ask — and you cannot help but think edinburgh’s focus will soon be back on making the Pro14 play-offs.
earning respect and picking up a couple of home wins in europe is the best they can hope for.