Warriors fans livid at switch of venue

GLASGOW Warriors stand accused of undermining their Pro12 title defence by switching tomorrow’s fixture against Edinburgh to BT Murrayfield. Their fans were left bemused and angry after the decision to hand home advantage to Edinburgh was announced yesterday morning, with Scotstoun’s waterlogged surface deemed unfit to host the 8,000 sell-out match. Gregor Townsend’s men were beaten 23-11 by their rivals in the first leg of the 1872 Cup double header at Murrayfield last weekend and now face trying to overturn that reverse at the same venue. Former Scotland and Lions prop Peter Wright insists the game could have been postponed until later in the season, or a different venue sought, and told Sportsmail: ‘The decision to swap venues plays right into the hands of Edinburgh and I can’t believe Glasgow agreed to it. ‘Part of their success in winning the Pro12 title last year was based on the Fortress Scotstoun mentality. They were superb at home, yet they have given up that advantage against their biggest rivals in a vital

From Back Page match. The decision to change is a real kick in the teeth to the Glasgow team and their fans. ‘I would like to think the SRU looked at other options before deciding on taking the match to Murrayfield. ‘I see it is on the same time as planned on Sky and I wonder how much pressure was put on to play the fixture come what may? ‘If the SRU was the driving force behind the switch, they should have thought of the fans more. ‘This is a vital game for Glasgow. They are struggling a bit in the defence of their league title but I would fancy them to beat Edinburgh at Scotstoun. ‘Having the match played at Murrayfield again won’t help their chances and undermines their title hopes while at the same time plays into the hands of Edinburgh.’ Warriors managing director Nathan Bombrys insisted the club had no alternative but to move the match given their fixture congestion. Warriors have already had to re-arrange home matches against Leinster, Racing 92 and Treviso. Bombrys said: ‘We’re disappointed the game cannot go ahead at Scotstoun as originally planned and all efforts were made to get the match on. ‘It’s not an ideal situation going back to Edinburgh but we need to get the game played and we’ll do everything we can to make this a Glasgow home game.’ The Warriors website last night indicated that despite Murrayfield having a 67,000 capacity, no further tickets would be made available, although a ‘limited number’ may become available before the game. The club is also laying on complimentary buses for those with match tickets.