Ball’s up in the air
But Danny insists Euro boycott threat won’t wound his Warriors
Glasgow Warriors chief Danny Wilson insists that the threat of a European boycott by French clubs will not distract his team.
Warriors are preparing for next weekend’s Champions Cup clash against Lyon.
But the French government has urged French clubs to postpone their matches against British opponents to avoid the risk of spreading Covid-19 although nothing official has been announced.
Any travel ban could also impact the Six Nations that kicks off in four weeks’ time.
Head coach Wilson said: “Our attitude is the same as always – come Monday we’ll train and prepare for Lyon.
“We’ve sat down as a coaching group and done our preview on them so we can deliver that to the players.
“We’ll carry on with that plan until we hear otherwise.” If next week ’s European matches are postponed, it is expected that the 1872 Cup match between Glasgow and Edinburgh, postponed on Friday night due to a frozen pitch, will be played instead.
That would suit Wilson who is desperate for some sort of rugby so that Leone Nakarawa can get his first run-out since last February. The giant Fijian was late returning to Glasgow after spending lockdown in his homeland and was then sidelined for three months with a knee injury.
Wilson said: “If Leone gets through this week’s training, then he will be available for next weekend.
“He’s made massive leaps recently and trained fully with us last week.
“It’s not 100 per cent certain yet because he’s still got to get through the second stage of contact training but if he gets through that, we should be able to get him out there in some way, shape or form.”
Nakarawa’s return is well timed as fellow second-row Lewis Bean – who had been on loan from Northampton Saints – has returned home.
Wilson said: “Lewis’s loan period with us is now up, which is a real shame.
“When the international period kicks off again, we would need the likes of Lewis, but I don’t think we’ll have him. I’ll be trying my hardest to get him back, because he’s been important to us.”
Wilson also revealed he is hopeful of concluding a deal soon to bring Duncan Weir back to Warriors next season.
The stand- off left the club in 2016 to seek regular game-time at Edinburgh and then moved to Worcester Warriors in 2018.
His form during the last two years has led to a recall to the Scotland set-up.
Now, with Adam Hastings leaving to join Gloucester next season, there is going to be a vacancy at No.10 – and Weir has stated that he is keen to return to his hometown club.
Wilson said: “He’s a player that I rate highly, I think he’s a very good stand-off.
“And from the minute I took the job, I have been clear that it’s a position I have wanted to strengthen.”