‘Reserve’ pack gels for Leinster revisit

Fagerson insists physical approach will help Warriors

Glasgow left flying Fijian Niko Matawalu frustrated on the wing by design during last week’s victory over Southern Kings – with the return of Leinster to Scotstoun in mind.

Teenager back rower Matt Fagerson explained that the Warriors forwards hammered at Kings’ line in the late going last week as they attempted to gel as a unit with all the changes enforced by international call-ups next month.

And the result is that try-hound Matawalu has to come sniffing for opportunities behind his pack rather than staying wide out.

“It’s something we worked on during the week,” said the younger Fagerson in the Warriors squad.

“Pick and go, scoops and stuff; I think we just wanted to make a statement in the Kings game and have a go at them up front and we really came through.

“The second half last week we really started to gel as a team, especially the forwards. We scored two mauled tries, and then there was the one with Zander coming around the front of the lineout.

“The structure we wanted to play in the opposition 22 really came together and it was a good second half. It just meant that Niko only got the one try.”

That physical approach is designed to cope better with the Leinster forwards who bullied Glasgow in their European Rugby Champions Cup match two weeks ago, although both sides will be depleted by international restings this week with the Autumn Tests just a week away.

“They are a very physical side. They just like to throw their weight around,” said Fagerson.

“But as we’ve seen in all the reviews there are still a lot of opportunities there by trying to expose them in places and hopefully we get the chance to do that at the weekend.”

Fagerson saw the inside of the Scotland camp earlier this season at the training weekend at St Andrews, but he’s happy to be back at Scotstoun this week.

“It’s just a good opportunity, especially for the young guys, having a shot at driving up their standards and having some good training. I didn’t think I’d be with Scotland for a minute.

“I’d have been a bit embarrassed if I’d been picked – I haven’t really played rugby a lot.

“Hopefully I’ll get a chance to play this week. It’s just a shame (Adam) Ashe is out injured at the moment. He’d a storming start to the season and he’s got big boots to fill for us and do a job at eight.”

Dave Rennie won’t know for sure who he has coming back from the Scotland camp until tomorrow at the earliest, but there are several players who could do with some game time who could be returned to him.

Alex Dunbar hasn’t played since the Cardiff game last month but it will be a last-minute decision whether he is given some minutes against Leinster or held in reserve for Samoa next week.

Peter Horne and Ryan Wilson both missed the Kings clash with head knocks sustained against Leinster, while it’s possible that Nick Grigg, Tim Swinson, George Turner and Ron Harley could find their way back to the Warriors.

Callum Gibbins was cleared to restart contact work yesterday after a week’s break with concussion but is still being closely monitored.

Picture: Getty. Teenager Matt Fagerson in action against the Southern Kings during last week’s PRO14 clash.