Coach finds surprising silver lining in Glasgow’s Murrayfield loss

Franco Smith has challenged Glasgow to use Saturday’s 10-7 defeat by Edinburgh as fuel for another strong finish to the season.

As was the case a year previously, Warriors claimed the 1872 Cup despite losing the second leg at Murrayfield.

Last term Glasgow bounced back strongly and went on to claim the United Rugby Championship title in June, and head coach Smith – whose side won the inter-city contest 40-24 on aggregate – expects a similarly strong response this time.

“I want to win everything every day,” said Smith, reflecting on his team’s third URC defeat of the season. “But we’ve lost by one point, three points and four points in this competition, which is tight.

“This time the compliment was with Edinburgh, not necessarily with us not doing what we did. I just think they had answers for all the questions.

“So last year the same thing happened (losing the Murrayfield leg) and it motivated and slingshotted us very well into the 2024 season. So hopefully that is the attitude we’ll take from this loss.”

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

2

Draws

0

Wins

3

Average Points scored

12

20

First try wins

80%

Home team wins

80%

Glasgow have a week off before returning to action against Racing 92 in the Champions Cup on Friday January 10, when several injured players are due back in contention.

“The players need to get out of the building for a bit,” said Smith. “We’ve been on it and 23 to 24 players have been involved with Scotland over the November period, which makes it non-stop.

“We’re back in with the two European Cup games and then it’s the Six Nations on top of that, so it’s important for them to have this break and reset a little bit.

“There are a lot of players coming back who will be available.”

Pierre Schoeman popped up with the decisive try for Edinburgh after Glasgow edged themselves in front with a 69th minute penalty try, with the hosts having led 3-0 until that point.

Head coach Sean Everitt was delighted with the character they showed after they were heavily criticised following a 33-14 defeat in the first leg at Hampden, but he acknowledges his inconsistent team must improve their away form if they are to start challenging at the top of the URC.

“Obviously, it’s frustrating that we can’t do this every week,” he said. “But I’m really proud of how they turned it around because that’s what they’re capable of.

“We have put teams away well at home. But we’ve got to do that away and we’ve got a very big test on that in two weeks’ time against Vannes (in the Challenge Cup).

“Do we want to be languishing between eight and 12, where Edinburgh have been over the last several years on average? Or do we want to be a top eight or a top four team? If so, you’ve got to win away from home.”