Franco Smith has urged his Glasgow Warriors players to make Scotland proud when they take on the Bulls in the URC semi-finals at Murrayfield.
With Scotstoun unavailable due to preparations for the Commonwealth Games, Glasgow have switched to Murrayfield for the semi-finals and the final should they make it.
Smith insists he has no concerns about them having to give up their normal fortress at Scotstoun as they seek to win a second URC title in three seasons.
Instead, he believes that playing at the national stadium could energise his players as they go up against a high-class Bulls side featuring several Springbok World Cup winners.
Asked whether the change of venue could in any way hinder his team, the Warriors head coach said: ‘No, I think for the semi-finals and final if we get there, not much.
‘I think the fact that we’re going to a place like Murrayfield is important. It is the home of Scottish rugby.
Franco Smith has played down fears that Glasgow are disadvantaged by playing at Murrayfield
‘It’s an important ingredient to go and play at the home of rugby in Scotland and that is more of an injection of energy.
‘It [change of venue] was never a consideration. It wasn’t even mentioned in our preparation, the fact that we are not going to play at Scotstoun.
‘It was always from the start about being excited to go and play at the home of Scottish rugby. We look forward to representing not just Glasgow, but all of Scotland at Murrayfield.’
Ticket sales were sitting around 16,500 yesterday afternoon, guaranteeing a bumper crowd from the usual capacity of around 8,500 at Scotstoun.
Glasgow are hopeful that the attendance could even nudge closer to 20,000, depending on walk-ups and on-the-day sales.
It promises to be a mouth-watering clash with a Bulls side whom they beat to win the title in Pretoria back in 2024.
The Bulls are loaded with quality and Test match experience. They have World Cup winners in Handre Pollard, Canan Moodie, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Willie Le Roux among others.
Smith believes Glasgow will be going up against a team who have the most quality and depth of any in the competition.
‘The Bulls are a top team,’ he said. ‘We’ve played them in the round of 16 [in Champions Cup], which was a couple of months ago.
‘It’s not like it’s too long ago and we’ve seen what they’ve brought. That was a tight game but we managed to get the win.
‘They play in finals and semi-finals consistently every year. They have also got huge squad depth, probably the best-stocked in all the competition in that regard.’
Glasgow have been boosted by the fact that George Horne has overcome a slight hand injury to start at scrum-half, with Jamie Dobie also returning to the bench after four months out.
Steyn and Pollard square up as tempers flare the Bulls played Glasgow at Scotstoun in April
George Horne is fit to play for Warriors after an injury scare against Connacht last week
‘George is unique,’ said Smith. ‘He’s a brilliant competitor and he gets the best out of everybody around him. Therefore, his contribution is massive and he’s so influential from that aspect.
‘I hope that the fact that he’s available is a very important ingredient for us. We’re very excited about that.
‘George’s hand was a real concern at the start of the week and I’m just thankful that he’s progressed so well.
‘It’s good to have Jamie Dobie ready and final testing cleared. So, yeah, we’re excited to have them available. They’ll bring a lot of energy.’
Tickets are still available for this afternoon’s URC semi-final clash between Glasgow Warriors and the Bulls. Please visit the Scottish Rugby ticketing app for more information.
https://www.eticketing.co.uk/scottishrugby
Glasgow Warriors: Josh McKay, Kyle Steyn (c), Stafford McDowall, Sione Tuipulotu, Kyle Rowe, Dan Lancaster, George Horne; Patrick Schickerling, Gregor Hiddleston, Zander Fagerson, Scott Cummings, Alex Samuel, Matt Fagerson, Rory Darge, Jack Dempsey.
Replacements: Seb Stephen, Rory Sutherland, Sam Talakai, Jare Oguntibeju, Euan Ferrie, Sione Vailanu, Jamie Dobie, Adam Hastings.
