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Franco Smith reveals Glasgow Warriors' 'big objective' for Champions Cup

By PA
Glasgow's Tom Jordan during the Investec Champions Cup Round Of 16 match between Harlequins and Glasgow Warriors at The Stoop on April 5, 2024 in London, England.(Photo by Bob Bradford - CameraSport via Getty Images)

Franco Smith has challenged Glasgow to complement an encouraging start to their United Rugby Championship title defence by mounting a strong run in the Investec Champions Cup.

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Warriors begin their European campaign at home to Gallagher Premiership side Sale on Saturday while they face further pool-stage fixtures against French pair Toulon and Racing 92 as well as Harlequins.

Glasgow enter the competition in good fettle, buoyed by being second in the URC with five wins from their last six matches. Smith is eager to see them carry their form into Europe.

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“Being consistent in the Investec Champions Cup is a big objective for this group,” the head coach told Warriors’ website.

“We look forward to the challenge of competing with the best in Europe – Sale, Toulon, Racing and Harlequins are four quality outfits.

“We know we will need to be at our best against Sale, and we look forward to getting our campaign under way.”

Smith has made eight changes to the side that started last Friday’s 17-15 victory at Scarlets, with hooker Gregor Hiddleston added to the XV along with Scotland internationals Huw Jones, Sione Tuipulotu, Jamie Bhatti, Zander Fagerson, Scott Cummings, Matt Fagerson and Rory Darge.

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GLASGOW WARRIORS: Jamie Bhatti, 2. Gregor Hiddleston, 3. Zander Fagerson, 4. Olujare Oguntibeju, 5. Scott Cummings, 6. Matt Fagerson, 7. Rory Darge, 8. Henco Venter, 9. George Horne, 10. Tom Jordan, 11. Kyle Rowe, 12. Sione Tuipulotu, 13. Huw Jones, 14. Sebastian Cancelliere, 15. Josh McKay

REPLACEMENTS: 16. Johnny Matthews, 17. Rory Sutherland, 18. Sam Talakai, 19. Alex Samuel, 20. Ally Miller, 21. Jack Mann, 22. Jamie Dobie, 23. Duncan Weir

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J
JW 4 hours ago
Scott Robertson has to take charge of his All Blacks in 2025

I feel like he'd be too happy to select people from overseas and tank the ABs as a result. I mean you gotta do it to find out, but nah, I certainly don't have enough confidence in him to give him that sort of freedom.

smith 100% plays 9 and mounga 100% plays 10

Haha yep you sound like a Razor clone, run his players into the ground without developing the next gen and tanking 2027 WC as a result.


Yes, AJ Lam was that player this year.


That's when DMac is also the biggest liability. Forced to be the playmaker is the best way he can contribute being such a tiny bloke.


That was actually one of the reasons I liked the older age bracket, it attracts the youth and also gives them somewhere to go after hs, something to capitilize on, as currently it all just dies out without an immediate or obvious step. It helps to remove a bit of the seriousness as well, which can be misplaced at that age. Sure it might be older kids that look upto it but I wouldn't change hs footy at all. Agreed though, its about the only place left with that sort of tribalism so you wouldn't want to destroy it. As there wouldn't be more than a dozen university teams hs should definitely still have cause to retain it's high following.


Haha it would certainly be cool being in that particular environment with some influence. I had a mate who worked there and said it wasn't great, but that was under the guy that got kicked out. University rugby is that stepping stone you're after 😉 thank me once you're able to pay for my time and expertise!

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