Franco Smith: 'It was never a consideration, it wasn’t even mentioned'

Franco Smith expects Glasgow to get “an injection of energy” from playing Saturday’s United Rugby Championship semi-final against Bulls at the home of Scottish rugby.

Warriors are traditionally strong at Scotstoun but their own ground is off limits as it has been taken over by Commonwealth Games organisers in preparation for Glasgow 2026.

Glasgow will instead play their home semi-final at Murrayfield in Edinburgh, but Smith does not expect that to have any negative impact on his team’s prospects.

“No, I think for the finals week, not much,” said the head coach. “I think the fact we’re going to a place like Murrayfield in Scotland is important.

“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.

Fixture

United Rugby Championship

Glasgow

06:30

6 Jun 26

Bulls

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“It was never a consideration, it wasn’t even mentioned, 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.”

Smith has made just one change to the side that started last week’s quarter-final win at home to Connacht, with Gregor Hiddleston starting in place of Johnny Matthews, who has a quad strain.

Influential scrum-half George Horne has overcome a hand injury to retain his starting spot, while versatile Scotland back Jamie Dobie is on the bench after being sidelined since February with a shoulder issue.

“Yeah, we’re very excited about that,” Smith said of having the key duo available for their biggest game of the season yet. “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 Dobie ready and final testing cleared, so we’re excited to have them available. They bring a lot of energy.”

Top seeds Glasgow will have to overcome a Bulls side who have won their last five matches since losing to Warriors at Scotstoun in the last 16 of the Champions Cup at the start of April.

“They’re a top team,” said Smith. “We played them a couple of months ago, it’s not like it’s too long ago, and we’ve seen what they’ve brought.

“Since then they’ve played the Scarlets and then they’ve had a nice time at home where they’ve played at high altitude regularly, and obviously they then managed to put a good streak of games together. They’ve grown in confidence.

“They are one of the best teams, if not the best-stocked team, in the competition.”