Bullish Kellock sends warning to Blues

Kellock: Optimistic for victory THE widespread belief and logical conclusion is that Glasgow will be brushed aside at the RDS on Saturday night as European champions Leinster gear up for their back- to- back Heineken Cup title assault at Twickenham the following weekend.

However, Sean Lineen’s side see this Pro12 semi- final as a chance to strike their blow for Scottish rugby, following on from Edinburgh’s heroics in the Heineken Cup.

New Zealand- born former Scotland centre Lineen was part of an emotional occasion at Firhill on Saturday, when the Warriors confirmed their place in the play- offs with a well- executed victory over Connacht.

Lineen will be replaced as head coach by Gregor Townsend at the end of the season, while nine of the Warriors squad are facing into potentially their final match for the club, and there is a collective determination to go out with some silverware.

Winger Federico Aramburu is set to retire at the end of the season and has flown his parents over from Argentina to witness the final chapter of his career.

“I was only five when I started playing rugby and my dad was there for me all the time. Now they will be going to Dublin and, I hope, to the final as well. I want to retire with a league winner’s medal,” said the 32- year- old.

“We can do it. Leinster are the best team in Europe and are in the Heineken Cup final but this club has a big heart and everyone will work hard to make it happen.”

Glasgow captain Alastair Kellock was equally bullish about taking on Leinster.

“It is a success to get to the playoffs but not the success we are after,” said the second- row, who skippered Scotland at the World Cup.

“We have two more games as far as I’m concerned. The Leinster match will be a big step up because it’s so vital. When we played them over there in the Heineken Cup it set up our season because we were beaten up pretty badly.

“We’ve taken massive steps forward since then. We’re here to win the thing.”