Glasgow Warriors keeping cards close to chest for South Africa tour as injured players being assessed
Assistant coach Roddy Grant was questions about several players, including George Horne and Scott Cummings, ahead of their URC double header against Lions and Stormers.
Glasgow Warriors assistant coach Roddy Grant says several of their injured squad are having late assessments before a decision on who will travel to South Africa this week.
Franco Smith’s men first face the Fidelity SecureDrive Lions this Saturday and then the DHL Stormers one week later. The team are setting off for their two week tour on Tuesday.
Max Williamson became the latest individual set for a spell on the side line after going down prior to their Champions Cup defeat to Toulon at the weekend. Head coach Franco Smith confirmed after the match that the Scotland lock was facing four to six weeks out with a MCL (Medial Collateral Ligament) issue.
Glasgow Warriors light on second row options but Scotland duo being assessed ahead of South Africa trip
Adam Hastings could also be left at home depending on HIA protocols. The duo join Gregor Brown, Alex Craig, Scott Cummings, Jamie Dobie, George Horne, Charlie Savala and Tavi Tuipulotu on the list of players who are either definitely or potentially unavailable for selection.
Flanker Rory Darge will also be staying at home with his partner due to give birth to their first child soon. It leaves Warriors light in several positions, particularly second row, for the trip but Grant has confirmed that everyone has been told to pack a bag before their flight in the event they are given the green light.
Asked first if Scott Cummings or Gregor Brown could feature in either match, alleviating their issues at lock, Grant said: “They’re tracking well and we’re assessing, with the flight as well, how those injuries progress. Whether it’s first week or second week, I'm not too sure.
“Scotty's going through his return to play, Gregor's also going through his return to play, but yeah, we are thin in that department. So we'll see how those guys returning go.
“On Saturday, Euan Ferrie obviously came in there on the bench, so if none of the locks make a return this week, we've got guys who will do a job there.”
On scrum half George Horne, he added: “Everyone's bags are packed and we'll see how we go. Obviously the other factor is we have two games and whether it's one game or second week come out and hope to be fit for the second. So I don't know.”
Young fly-half Matthew Urwin will travel to South Africa with Grant confirming that Charlie Savala was still a few weeks away from fitness and the club wating on a final assessment from Hasting’s HIA on Monday.
Glasgow Warriors’ coach expecting tough double header against Lions and Stormers
Regardless of who is or is not fit to play, Grant is expecting two incredibly difficult matches away from home. After the defeat to Toulon, it also offers the squad a good opportunity to regroup for the remainder of the URC season.
“It's always tough playing in South Africa,” said Grant. “Not many teams do the double. I don't think there's anyone done it this season so far. So it's a tough place to go. But again, the huge positive is all the teams now we play, the next four games, they're all in the top half of the URC.
“The real exciting part is if we win those, we get the points and they don't. So that makes the run-in great. It's a great chance to be away together and in each other's company and everyone sharpening the focus for the weekend.”
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