Barclay's concern for Glasgow over ability to replace departing stars
John Barclay says he is concerned about Glasgow Warriors’ ability to replace some of the star names that have departed the squad in recent years after Adam Hastings became the latest high-profile player to secure a move away from the club. Hastings joined a growing list of key players, including the likes of Stuart Hogg, Finn Russell and Jonny Gray, to head through the exit door at Scotstoun in recent years when his move to Gloucester was confirmed last week.
And Barclay says he is worried his former club are struggling to properly replace some of those names.
“I’m concerned, yeah. (But) I won’t be concerned if these guys are replaced,” Barclay said.
“I think Glasgow haven’t replaced some of their stars who have gone on to do great things when they’ve left, so I think there is a bit of a hope probably, rather than expectation, given the landscape we are in right now with COVID and the financial implications we are going to have, so it’s a really hard one for anyone to manage.
“But I certainly think if you are losing players of that calibre, you need to replace them. And savvy recruitment and bringing in (the right) guys is going to be really important.
“So I think it is slightly concerning, but we don’t know what the answer is yet. So hopefully they’ll bring in some quality to replace the guys who are leaving.”
And Barclay, who spent eight years with Glasgow, says he understands why supporters would be worried about the club’s transfer dealings.
“That’s the thing, Glasgow built a team, I was in a similar kind of thing in Wales (at Scarlets) whereby we were probably not the most funded… Well, I know we were one of the lowest funded teams, and by some good recruitment and by some academy guys coming through and becoming stars for Wales and the British and Irish Lions, we ended up with a really handy team.
“But we kind of knew at some stage, slowly, the bigger teams start to pick these guys off, and that’s the economics of the situation, that’s life.
“You can’t blame guys for one; wanting to go away if they are offered more money, and two; if they want to go away and have different challenges and experience different things. And I think the guys who have left from Scotland, looking at the teams they have gone to, they’re quality teams. And they’ve gone there and played some great rugby.
“So from a Scottish hat point of view, I think it’s great. But I also understand, if I was a Glasgow fan, I’ve seen this team being built up and guys are leaving who you’d hope would have been replaced.
“But no-one knows what’s going to happen in the world right now, never mind rugby, when it comes to finances. But rugby is a results-based business, so they have to find solutions to the guys who are leaving, somewhere and somehow.
“But as we know the guys who are leaving are arguably the most expensive players to replace, full-backs, stand-offs, second-rows, these are key players.”
Chris Paterson and John Barclay are joined by Jim Hamilton, Dougie Vipond, Rory Hamilton and Jenny Drummond for the big 1872 Cup clash between Edinburgh and Glasgow on Jan 2 live from BT Murrayfield on Premier Sports 1 from 2.30pm.
Comments on RugbyPass
Four Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
10 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
16 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
2 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
1 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
10 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
10 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
10 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
2 Go to commentsCockerill was an abrasive player in the mould of a Georgian front rower who will have the respect of that pack. Looking forward to seeing what he can do with this exciting team, hopefully they can send a message to unions like Wales that money alone doesn't buy you wins.
2 Go to commentsI like the look of those July matches. Hopefully they'll get some good tests in November too.
2 Go to commentsThis is a poor article, essentially just trolling six nations teams
22 Go to commentsConnaught man? How you can write that without blushing.
6 Go to comments