Two-ton Harley throws his weight into cup showdown

Rugby: Glasgow lock will be first to make 200 appearances for Warriors

Rob Harley has no intention of slowing down after he becomes the first Glasgow Warrior to break the 200-appearance barrier tomorrow.

Nobody has played more games for the Scotstoun outfit than Harley and he will hit the 200-mark when Dave Rennie’s side welcome Cardiff north for tomorrow’s Heineken Champions Cup showdown. But the lock, 28, is already eyeing up setting an even higher tally for his younger colleagues to chase.

Asked if he was beginning to think about life after rugby, Harley replied: “I look at it the other way round. Once I get to 200, I’ll then be saying, ‘OK, it’s to 300 or 400 hopefully’.

“We’ve got great depth in the squad and there a lot of great players coming through. It’s great that we’ve got that challenge but I want to set as high a record as I can for these young guys to chase.

“I don’t want to wave goodbye to this career as I’m enjoying it so much. We’re very lucky to do what we do and playing with these guys, in front of these fans at Scotstoun is an incredible experience and if they keep calling my name I’ll keep turning up.”

This weekend’s showdown with the Blues could yet prove decisive for Warriors’ hopes of reaching the quarter-finals. Rennie’s men sit four points behind Pool 3 leaders Saracens who have won games so far.

A bonus-point win will see them move to 19 points, which should be enough for a best runners-up slot.

However, failure to take maximum points would leave their qualification hopes resting on the outcome of their final game against Sarries at Allianz.

Meanwhile, Richard Cockerill wants his Edinburgh side to create history all four by slaying French giants Toulon for the second time this season.

The Murrayfield outfit stunned the three-time former European champions in the Scottish capital back in October as they sent out a message of intent.

Now a bonus point for Cockerill’s team in today’s clash will put them in the driving seat to secure a place in the Champions Cup quarter-finals.

“I don’t want to wave goodbye to this career. I’ll go for 400”

BREAKING THROUGH: Rob Harley is hoping to celebrate his appearances landmark with a home victory over Cardiff