Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

'We're looking forward to testing ourselves against the best team in Europe'

Leinster's Adam Byrne breaks to score his try during the Champions Cup quarter-final win over Ulster in Dublin (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

Glasgow head coach Dave Rennie says Saturday’s showdown with Leinster is the perfect yardstick to measure his team’s play-off chances against.

ADVERTISEMENT

Warriors have already booked their slot in the Guinness PRO14’s end-of-season shoot-out but – with two games to play and only three points of a cushion over Munster – the Conference A leaders still have to seal a home semi-final.

But that is something reigning league and European champions Leinster do not have to worry about having opened up a 20-point lead at the top of Conference B.

However, if the play-offs go to form, this weekend’s combatants at the RDS Arena will be squaring off again in the Celtic Park final and Rennie is eager to see just how closely his side are matched to the Irish leaders.

He said: “We’re looking forward to testing ourselves against the best team in Europe.

“It’s an exciting challenge and exactly the kind of game we need as we gear towards knock-out footy.

“We’ve prepared well and I expect to see the same levels of desperation and brutality that we saw against Ulster on Friday night.”

Rennie has made two changes to the side which beat Ulster 30-7 at Scotstoun last Friday to earn maximum points.

ADVERTISEMENT

Up front Scott Cummings comes into the second-row with Rob Harley shifting to six and Jamie Bhatti starting at loose-head.

The Kiwi has named an unchanged backline, with Adam Hastings and Tommy Seymour retaining their slots after both scored against Ulster.

Huw Jones has been named amongst the replacements and will play his first game since sustaining a knee injury whilst playing for Scotland against Ireland in this year’s Guinness Six Nations in February.

Video Spacer
ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

T
TI 22 minutes ago
All Blacks player ratings vs Italy | Autumn Nations Series

Rieko took literally years to turn from a defensive liability at 13 into a guy, who’s defensively sound as it befits the position. And it all came at the cost of him being much less of an offensive threat, than what he used to be. Proctor is a natural 13, he handles, passes, and kicks way better than Rieko ever will, he just isn’t as fast.


It’s unfair to judge Tupaea on the handful of games he’s had in 2022 before he got nearly crippled by a Wallaby lock. What could Tupaea/Proctor pairing be, if they got the same amount of chances as Jordie/Rieko?


Because no matter how you spin it, playing a player outside of his natural position is a poor asset management. No matter how talented he is, he still competes against players who had years and years of practice at the position. And if said guy is so talented that he actually CAN compete against specialists, imagine how much better still he could have been, if he had all those years to iron the toothing issues at the position. It just drives me mad.


Two things I hate in rugby union beyond description: aping after league, and playing players outside of their natural position. Especially considering, that they all admit they hate it, when they’re allowed to speak freely. Owen Farrell spent 80% of his international career at 12, saying every time when asked, that he is a 10 and prefers to play at 10. Those players are literally held at a gunpoint: play out of position, or no national jersey for you.

46 Go to comments
H
Hellhound 1 hour ago
What has happened to Aphelele Fassi?

Willie will always be the most missed player for me once he retires. He wasn't interested in scoring tries. The ultimate team player. Has the most assists in tries in the Bok team, and his kicks always spot on, at least 95% of the time. He reads the game like no other player can. He wasn't flashy, and people didn't notice him because of that. Great rugby head and knowledge. He should be catapulted into an assistant coach in the rugby system. He should really consider coaching.


Damian Willemse is an excellent fullback and he is the number 1 fullback. He can play the entire backline positions, except maybe 9, but I'm sure he would be able too if he wanted. No one is taking that away from him, only stand in while he is injured. He is world class and you don't swap that out. He also got wicked dancing feet, great eye for openings, and reads a game like few can, like Willie Le Roux. Also very strong on his feet, with absolute great hands and his kicking game is just as good.


As for Aphelele Fassi. What a great find and he has exceptional talent that Rassie will mould into a world class player. Yet.... He is nowhere even close to Damien Willemse. He has a long way to go to get there, but he is surrounded by great team mates from who he will gain lots of advice and support. He can play wing and fullback and Rassie may just try him out as a flyhalf or centre too. He has the abilities to expand his game. He is for sure a future star, but not yet at the stage to take away Damien Willemse's spot. However, DW start and AF on the bench, that is an awesome replacement. Between the 2 they cover all positions in the backline once AF gets that training. The Boks could go 6/2 permanently if they wanted. 6 forwards, a scrumhalf and AF. I may be wrong, but Rassie will spread AF around.

0 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ Kazuki Himeno: ‘Eddie gave me a task - to be the world's best back-rower’ Kazuki Himeno: ‘Eddie gave me a task - to be the world's best back-rower’
Search