'Very few sides have that' - why Glasgow Warriors can achieve Champions Cup glory

Franco Smith’s side overcame a difficult test in tough conditions at Scotstoun on Saturday as they saw off URC rivals Vodacom Bulls 25-21 to progress to the next round. They will host French giants Toulon in what will be a first ever home quarter final for the Scottish outfit this weekend.

Having finished second in the pool stage of the competition the Warriors have also guaranteed a home semi final against either Leinster or Sale Sharks if they beat Toulon. They also sit top of the URC standings with just a handful of matches remaining in the regular season.

‘Expectation that’s slowly growing’

"The expectation is on this Glasgow Warriors side” said Barclay, who played 148 times for Glasgow between 2005 and 2013. “They finished the second seed in the pool stages, they’re top of the URC and have a lot of players still to come back from injury but no matter that challenge put in front of them at the moment or what happens in the game they seem to be able to deliver."

The 76 times capped former Scotland skipper was speaking on the Premier Sports punditry panel after the match at Scotstoun. He added that he was particularly impressed with his old side’s ability to ‘problem solve’ in the moment in big games.

"There's a calmness about them, whether they're ahead or they're behind, but in particular when they're losing or the conditions aren't great or they're not getting the rub of the green at scrum time or discipline. I think there's very few sides that I watch regularly that have that ability to problem solve.

“Whether it's through Franco's selection or his use of the bench, just their ability to figure things out on the hoof and then, on top of that, the bravery to then execute. It was pouring it down out there, it was windy and wet and slippy and you score a try after what seemed like 15-20 phases, which nobody expected today.

“There is an expectation that's slowly growing and if they can knock off Toulon next week that's going to go up another level."

‘I'd hate to play the man at chess’

Also speaking after the game was fellow former Warrior and Scotland forward Ryan Wilson, who praised head coach Franco Smith. He said: "He's a tactician, I'd hate to play the man at chess.

“He forward thinks absolutely everything. He'll already have a plan for next week with the quarter final coming up. It's not long till you go back to the last four games of the URC and they're top of the league in that one and want to go and push further than that.”

Glasgow Warriors host Toulon in the Champions Cup quarter-final at Scotstoun this Saturday, April 11, with that game scheduled for a 3pm kick off. They then return to URC action with a mini tour of South Africa to end the month of April with back-to-back away matches against the Lions and the Stormers.

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