Franco Smith concedes Glasgow Warriors' form has taken a dip

Franco Smith has challenged Glasgow to get back to the levels they showed prior to the Guinness Six Nations as they prepare to kick off their South African double-header against Lions at Ellis Park on Saturday.

The United Rugby Championship leaders won all nine of their matches through December and January, but their form has been slightly less convincing recently, with two defeats in their last five.

As they bid to reassert themselves at the top of the table after last weekend’s frustrating Champions Cup defeat by Toulon, head coach Smith – speaking from Johannesburg – told the Press Association: “We know that to be in the top four is going to be important, and to finish top is obviously the mission.

“But we don’t want to look too much at the table, we look at the challenge in front of us. We do not want to be distracted about what can go wrong.

“We want to focus on what we have to get right. I would like to see us reaching the form we had before the Six Nations as a collective. That is the focus.”

Fixture

United Rugby Championship

Lions

07:00

18 Apr 26

Glasgow

All Stats and Data

The Glasgow squad flew to South Africa on Tuesday to gear up for the Lions and next weekend’s showdown’s with Stormers.

“People would think that it’s an escape or an opportunity to relax, it’s absolutely not,” said Smith.

“It’s a big work-in-progress week, but it’s so good to have the boys together, to share meals every evening together, and just to enjoy each other’s company is an important ingredient.

“We all hurt dearly after last week’s unfortunate result, so it was important for us then to confirm our objectives and to make sure that we’re all aligned.

“There’s not a better place to do it now than here. We’ve done this trip so many times now with this group, so we’re very familiar with the surroundings and the way things work and the schedule works, so it’s a good opportunity to reset the minds.”

Smith has made nine changes to his starting XV, including restoring Huw Jones after the Scotland centre was left out for the last two Champions Cup ties.

“Huw’s always been a massive ingredient regardless if he played or not,” said Smith. “I can see he’s brimming to go out there and I hope that the game allows him to be influential.”

Smith confirmed that Scotland vice-captain Rory Darge will not join up with the squad for next weekend’s Stormers clash as he awaits the birth of his child.

“No, his partner has not given birth yet at the moment and therefore I’m not going to steal one week of joy from him,” he said.

“I trust these players that are here enough to do their very best and to make sure Rory is heart, mind and physically recovered when we get back to Scotstoun.”