LOW AIMS TO GO OUT ON A HIGH

Prop hopes it is fourth time lucky

THREE times Moray Low has finished as a l oser when Glasgow Warriors have reached the Pro12 play-off semi-finals. To miss out on the final for a fourth time would be unthinkable for the Scotland prop forward, particularly as he is leaving the club for Exeter Chiefs this summer.

But Low is convinced that the major difference this year will be having home advantage — courtesy of last weekend’s 54-0 rout of Zebre — and he believes the experience gleaned from those three previous heartbreaks can help him end his eight years at Glasgow on a high by beating Munster at Scotstoun this Friday night.

Low and captain Al Kellock are the only survivors from the previous play-off losses — against Ospreys in Swansea in 2010, and Leinster in Dublin in 2012 and 2013 — but the 29- year- old reckons Gregor Townsend’s side are better equipped this time round to become the f i rst Scottish team to reach the final.

‘ Losing every single one of those semi-finals has been a constant source of frustration up until now — but that can end on Friday night,’ said Low.

‘ Playing away i n the three semi-finals made it that little bit harder, so to bring the match to Glasgow and show the city what we are achieving is vitally important.

‘It’s good for Scottish rugby and it’s good for us to have the semi-final at Scotstoun because it will make a big difference to our chances.’

With the final most likely taking place in Dublin if favourites Leinster defeat Ulster in the other play-off, Low is anxious to make an appearance in Townsend’s heavily-rotated side on Friday as it could be his last match i n front of the home supporters.

‘When I first became involved with Glasgow in 2006, we were still in Hughenden and things were much different to what they are now,’ he said.

‘The move to Scotstoun after our time at Firhill has made a big difference and it’s a fantastic set-up here that’s helped the club evolve.

‘For us to now be preparing for our first ever home semi-final in front of maybe 10,000 fans shows how far the club has come.

‘I am desperate to take the field against Munster as it could be the last time I play at Scotstoun, or even play for the club, so I want to leave everything out there if selected.

‘It’s a long time ago now that

‘I think we can get to the final as this is the best squad I’ve been part of since I j oined Glasgow,’ said the man from Lossiemouth.

‘We keep working hard and setting ourselves high standards and the depth in the squad has given us that ability to rotate players during the season.

‘When some of the guys were away for the Six Nations matches, somebody else came in and put their hand up.

‘Now, when everyone is back, there are just so many players at training who are pushing really hard and l ooking to improve.

‘They are out doing extra work at the end of training — whether it is scrummaging or kicking or passing — and it’s great that everyone j ust wants to get involved and keep doing well for the club.

‘We have seen that translated onto the pitch and the reward is that we have earned the right to have a home semi-final.

‘There will be a lot of players disappointed if they are not selected for the Munster match and, obviously, I am hoping I get the nod to play.’

While Glasgow prepare for the play-offs, struggling Edinburgh are clearing the decks for next season with head coach Alan Solomons announcing yesterday he would be releasing nine players.

Solomons, whose side finished a lowly ninth in the Pro12, has deemed surplus to requirements winger Lee Jones — currently on loan at Glasgow — the former All Black centre Ben Atiga and Georgian back- row f orward Dimitri Basilaia.

They will be joined by Perry Parker ( l ock), Lewis Niven (prop), Alun Walker (hooker), Robert McAlpine (flanker) and the stand-off pair of Chris Leck and Alex Black.

Also l eaving the club are Gloucester-bound captain Greig Laidlaw and stand- off Harry Leonard, who has joined Leeds Carnegie.