READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP

Kellock bows out but he can see dawning of a new rugby era after Glasgow glory

THE IRONY was clear as Al Kellock proudly lifted t he Pro12 t r ophy above his head in a final, triumphant act as Glasgow Warriors captain.

As the fireworks went off around him, amid ecstatic scenes at the Kingspan Stadium i n Belfast, Kellock’s retirement may have signalled the end of an era but it also witnessed a new one ignite for Scottish rugby.

This was an unforgettable evening when everything clicked into place for the Warriors — and their loyal supporters — under head coach Gregor Townsend’s masterplan.

Last year’s defeat to Leinster in the Final now looked like the ultimate dress rehearsal. Munster could not live with a Glasgow side who captured this country’s first major tournament silverware since Jim Telfer’s Scots won the Five Nations in 1999.

The trick now, of course, is to do it all again next year — and in Europe especially — but a jubilant Kellock insisted the only way is up now for both Glasgow and their Edinburgh neighbours.

Having served both clubs for a total of 13 years, it was only fitting he should play his part in this incredible day for the Scottish game after replacing Man of the Match Leone Nakarawa in the 66th minute.

Almost his first involvement was to win an Irish line-out, summing up the spirit and will- to- win instilled by Townsend.

‘It was like slow motion out there at the end and I just needed a few moments to look around and take it all in,’ admitted Kellock, hanging up his boots after nine years as Glasgow skipper. ‘It was a time for me to put in context what we had just achieved and how hard we had worked to get to this place.

‘I remember taking on teams like Munster in the past, when we were not just second best but second best by a long way. I had nine years here and for a lot of them it was defeat after defeat as we struggled near the foot of the table.

‘There was no success and now, you look at guys like Finn Russell. All he has known is semi-finals and Finals with Glasgow.

‘When the pressure is on, he plays like he did here because he is used to winning. Strong teams have belief in themselves, that they are more than good enough to beat anybody and that is where we are now.

‘That winning habit can help this club challenge for the title on a regular basis and also improve our poor record in Europe.

‘There could also be a spin-off for Edinburgh. They did well to get to the Challenge Cup Final and they beat us in the 1872 Cup, so they’ll be going all out to emulate our league success and they have it in them to challenge for the league next season, too.’

For all the elation, there was one warning note to be sounded — which was echoed by Warriors fans in Belfast’s pubs after the game — and it surrounds the long-term future of Townsend.

Next season will be his last under contract and Kellock believes he must be kept at Scotstoun for as long as possible.

‘I’m not sure how Gregor will take this, but he reminds me a lot of Andy Robinson, who also showed incredible attention to tactical detail and studied every aspect of the game,’ said Kellock.

‘Since Gregor has come in, he’s been phenomenal and will be vital to the club going forward. I’ve seen the position Glasgow came from and what we’ve done under him.

‘He’s brought on that extra five per cent that turns good teams into winners and he’s made people better players. It’s vital he stays for as long as possible because under him we can go from strength to strength.’

Kellock came on to rally the troops in the latter stages, but it was the man who replaced him in the starting line-up, Nakarawa, who ultimately inspired the team to a sensational victory.

There were game- changers like Russell and Stuart Hogg on the pitch, but it was the Fijian second row — carrying the ball one-handed and even making a Xavi-like pass with his foot at one stage — who turned the game Glasgow’s way.

Any early nerves were put to bed within the first few minutes when he smashed Paul O’Connell in a crunching tackle.

Nakarawa was also i nvolved i n Rob Harley’s opening try, ploughing his way up the middle before offloading and helping push his team-mate over the line.

And who will ever forget his part in the second try? Snatching the ball at t he breakdown, he side-stepped Felix Jones and burst through tackles from Simon Zebo and Donnacha Ryan before stretching out his long arms to play a superb pass to DTH van der Merwe to score in the corner.

Glasgow’s third try was a beauty, too, after a Munster knock-on was picked up by Richie Vernon, who f ed Hogg. The f ull- back went through the gap and, although he had Tommy Seymour outside him, switched the ball inside to Henry Pyrgos to score.

With Russell putting over all three conversions — and only an Ian Keatley penalty in reply — the 6,000 Glasgow f ans were pinching themselves that they were 18 points ahead with only half an hour played.

Munster came back into it with an Andrew Smith converted try before the break and a Keatley penalty soon after, but they never troubled Glasgow. When Russell saw a gap and dived over for the fourth try, history was in the making.

Kellock added to the sense of occasion when he replaced Nakarawa with 15 minutes left, during which time Duncan Weir added another penalty to complete the scoring.

At the final whistle, the backroom staff flooded on to the park, some in tears, with Kellock the centre of attention.