DARGE TIPPED TO BE A STAR LIKE AUSSIE HERO HOOPER

GLASGOW WARRIORS No 8 Jack Dempsey spent a lot of his time in his native Australia playing for club and country alongside the legendary Wallaby Michael Hooper.

That he sees similarities already with the 122-times capped Aussie captain and his new Warriors team-mate Rory Darge — both of whom play at seven beside him — shows the potential the young man from North Berwick has to get to the very top.

Darge was named man of the match in Friday’s 35-29 defeat to Ulster in Glasgow’s opening United Rugby Championship match. It was well-deserved honour for the 21-year-old who arrived this summer from rivals Edinburgh, where he didn’t see much game time with British and Irish Lion Hamish Watson monopolising the No 7 jersey.

His switch along the M8 has revitalised his career to the extent that the experienced Dempsey, who has 14 Australia caps to his credit, has been immediately impressed.

‘For a guy like me, before I came up here I played pretty much almost every game next to Michael Hooper,’ said the 27year-old. ‘Hoops used to be able to run all day and that’s the first thing that stands out with Rory too. It’s good to have a seven like that who can just run all day if need be.

‘When I talk about that connection there to Hoops, its more about the work ethic and how he Rory goes about it.

‘Look, I’m definitely not comparing him to Michael Hopper on the pitch just yet, but I think the way he goes about his work — not only in the gym but with the extra work he does too — shows there are similarities. He has great potential.’

Dempsey predicts the best has yet to come from Darge (above), whom he expects to figure a lot for Glasgow this season.

‘Rory is 21 and he’s doing all the right things at this age,’ he said. ‘I thought he was outstanding against Ulster. He had two nice pilfers, from memory, and he was unlucky not to get a couple more.

‘His fitness is world class and he was vital in the try from Jamie Dobie.

‘I love a back-rower who has got some footwork, some evasive skills and an offload and I’m looking forward to building more chemistry with him.’

Dempsey saw enough in the defeat to Ulster to make him confident that his team can at Scotstoun on Saturday.

‘South African sides are going to look to bully you,’ he explained. ‘Their pack and centres are going to look to get on top of you in the first 20.

‘For us, it’s about discipline and execution at the set-piece.’