Warriors’ Grigg looking to kick-start their season

THE last few months have been challenging for Nick Grigg. The Glasgow Warriors centre has been forced to deal with more than one blow but he is now, he believes, in the frame of mind needed to perform at his best for his club side.

The 27-year-old was included in Gregor Townsend’s preliminary squad for the World Cup but when the squad had to be whittled down, Grigg failed to make the cut.

And so having rejoined his Glasgow team-mates in the lead-up to the start of the Guinness PRO14 season, the New Zealand-born centre suffered a second blow with an injury in pre-season.

“The past few months have been pretty frustrating for me,” admitted Grigg, who was speaking following the announcement that McCrea Financial Services will be continuing to sponsor Glasgow Warriors for at least another two seasons.

“The last full game I played was against England in the Six Nations so it feels like a long time ago. Not making the World Cup was pretty disappointing. But it was quite lucky timing, as we had a week off after I was told I wasn’t going any further so I was able to get my head out of rugby for a week before I got back.

“It was good being back in the Glasgow environment but it was a tough few weeks. I got my head around the fact the World Cup dream was over for me and I was feeling pretty positive but then I got a knock on my knee during the Ulster preseason game.”

Despite his injury, Grigg started Warriors’ first game of the season a fortnight ago against the Cheetahs but with his knee flaring up, he was forced to be replaced within the first quarter.

Subsequent scans showed there was no serious damage, with Grigg likely to be back in action tomorrow when the Warriors face Cardiff Blues at Scotstoun.

Following two defeats in their opening two league fixtures, tomorrow’s match is a game in which they desperately need a good performance and Grigg is confident they have ironed out their issues.

“We worked hard in pre-season and so the first two games have been disappointing,” he said.

“I think accuracy is the main thing, that let us down against Scarlets. If we can get our basic skills and accuracy right in this game we should be able to put Cardiff away.”

Warriors may not have had the start to the season they were looking for but Grigg still believes that having reached the semi-finals and the final in the previous two seasons, they can go one better this year.

“I think we can be right up there again this season,” he said. “Even with Scotland guys away in previous seasons, we’ve pushed other teams and won most of our games so we’re feeling good about things, even when we have guys missing.

“We have the ability to do well, we just need to show it on the field.”

McCrea Financial Services are the longest serving sponsors of Glasgow Warriors and providers of Independent Financial Advice for individuals and businesses. Find out more at www.mccreafs.co.uk