Wilson hopes Ibrox heroics inspire his men
AN absorbing tale of European success will be fresh in the minds of the Glasgow Warriors players when they face Lyon in tonight’s Challenge Cup quarter-final. Several of the Warriors squad were at Ibrox on Thursday night to witness Rangers’ stunning victory over RB Leipzig in the Europa League semi-finals. They included captain Ryan Wilson, Ali Price, Duncan Weir and Cole Forbes. It was an experience which no doubt whetted their appetite for more European success of their own. Warriors head coach Danny Wilson has revealed that there is a strong Rangers-supporting contingent in the Scotstoun dressing room. ‘There’s been a consistency with this,’ he said. ‘Even when we were away in South Africa, some of the boys were still watching the Rangers games. ‘There’s a fair few Rangers fans in the team, let’s just say. It’s not all one way, a few of the boys support other teams as well. But there’s been a number of Rangers fans in our team who have been keen to see how that’s progressed. ‘It’s a great example. It’s a team who have made it to a European final and done a brilliant job. We hope to do the same. ‘Nothing beats a European final. I’ve been lucky enough to experience it previously myself. It’s a brilliant day out and occasion to be involved in. ‘If we can go on and become the first Scottish team to win a European trophy, that would be fantastic. ‘But, first and foremost, we know Lyon are going to be a huge challenge this weekend. That’s all we are focusing on just now.’ Warriors have an extensive injury list at the moment and are far from full strength for the trip to France, where they face a Lyon side who currently sit fifth in the Top14. The starting XV looks solid enough, but it’s resources on the bench which look increasingly stretched due to a rash of injuries to key players. Wilson will skipper the side from the back row after overcoming an issue with a dead leg, which had put his involvement in doubt. ‘Yeah, there was quite a strong chance he wouldn’t make it,’ said Wilson. ‘But, Ryan being Ryan, he has made it. ‘He does everything he needs to do to play. He’s a tough, old-school guy. He’d probably play with his arm hanging off if he had to. ‘But he’s fine. He has passed various fitness tests. ‘It was just a bad dead leg which took a long time to recover. He’s good to go now.’ Price will partner Ross Thompson in the half-backs, with fly-half Weir likely to miss the rest of the season due to a hand injury. Sam Johnson and Sione Tuipulotu team up in midfield, with a back three of Forbes, Josh McKay and Ollie Smith.
GLASGOW: Ollie Smith; Josh McKay, Sione Tuipulotu, Sam Johnson, Cole Forbes; Ross Thompson, Ali Price; Jamie Bhatti, Johnny Matthews, Zander Fagerson, Rob Harley, Richie Gray, Ryan Wilson (C), Jack Dempsey, Ally Miller. Replacements: George Turner, Nathan McBeth, Simon Berghan, Lewis Bean, Kiran McDonald, Gregor Brown, Jamie Dobie, Domingo Miotti.