Youngsters can propel Warriors to future glory
The odds are still stacked against Glasgow Warriors in their bid for a topthree finish in their PRO14 Conference, despite their 30-25 win over the Ospreys on Friday night.
Even winning their two remaining games might not be enough for them to get into those Champions Cup places ahead of the Welsh side, who have just one game left but have a seven-point lead over Danny Wilson’s team.
Yet whatever happens, one thing was made crystal clear in that victory at a rainy Scotstoun – the Warriors’ future is in extremely safe hands.
The 20-year-old full-back Ollie Smith, winger Rufus McLean, 21, and 19-yearold scrum-half Jamie Dobie have all emerged as key players in the Glasgow back line in recent weeks, but the real star has been Ross Thompson.
The 21-year-old stand-off was making just his sixth appearance on Friday, but played with a composure way beyond his years. It was a must-win game for the Warriors, and the pressure grew all the greater when they fell 12-0 behind. But, as he explained after he had accepted his player-of-the-match award, Thompson appears to thrive on pressure.
“I love it,” he said. “It’s a big step up, but that’s the level I want to play at.
“I don’t mind getting chucked in at the deep end, and hopefully I’ll float and not sink. Pressure goal-kicking and stuff like that, I really enjoy it.”
The 100% goal-kicking performance was impressive enough, but Thompson’s work in open play really impressed, with his kick through for McLean’s try being the standout moment of the game. And all this from a player whose first professional contract, signed last month, does not kick in until the summer.
“I’m really looking forward, having signed my first professional contract, to kick on next season and compete for the jersey,” he added. “I want to play as much professional rugby as possible, both at the tail end of this season and looking forward to next season as well.”
With Scotland cap Duncan Weir and Argentina international Domingo Miotti both coming to Scotstoun in the summer, Thompson will have a lot of competition for that No 10 jersey. However, he is set to hold on to it for the remaining games, against Dragons next Sunday, then Benetton on Saturday 27th.