Murchie: January schedule can define our season

Peter Murchie admits Glasgow’sjanuaryschedulecould make or break their season.

The Warriors have already ticked off part one by reigniting their bid for the Guinness Pro12 play-offs with Saturday’s 29-15 win over Cardiff. But now the Scotstoun outfit turn their attentions to their two remaining Champions Cup pool clashes with Munster and Leicester.

Gregor Townsend’s side are second in Pool 1, three points behind the Irishmen – who they face at home on Saturday – but five ahead of the Tigers. Victory in both matches will guarantee the Scots a place in the quarterfinals for the first time in the club’s history – but anything less could leave them staring at another European failure.

Murchie said: “We looked at the three-week period starting with Cardiff and ending with the two Champions Cup matches and said it could totally decide the end to our season. If we hadn’t beaten Cardiff we’d have been under massive pressure in the Pro12.

“Now with these next two games we’ve got a chance to qualify from our group. If we beat Munster then Leicester, we’ll make the quarters. There’s not many times we’ve been in this position. We’ve talked about doing it for so long but now the boys are just so determined to make it happen this year.”

But Murchie admits his side will have to top the performances they put in while shooting down French champions Racing 92 twice last month if they are to see off Munster this weekend. “It’s a massive game,” said the full-back. “We’ve played them twice already this season and lost both times. We’ve got to be more up for it than them. It’s going to take our best performance of the season.”

Murchie deputised for the rested Stuart Hogg against Blues and made his mark with a try double. Hogg should return against Munster but Murchie will not give up his jersey without a fight. He said: “Stuart is a great player so when you get an opportunity, you’ve got to play well. I want to play in a successful team and do myself justice.”