Why Glasgow won't be starstruck by 'arguably the best club team in the world'

Glasgow head coach Franco Smith insists his side won’t be “star-struck” when they tackle what he regards as “arguably the best club team in the world” in Friday’s opening Investec Champions Cup quarter-final against Leinster in Dublin.

A Warriors side without key prop Zander Fagerson returns to the Aviva Stadium for the first time since being thrashed 43-19 there by French giants Toulon in the European Challenge Cup final two years ago.

That was the end of Smith’s first season in Glasgow when, he believes, “the people that were most surprised to see us in the EPCR final were ourselves”.

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“Over the last year, 18 months, definitely it was a point of reference,” Smith said of an occasion when Warriors failed to fire a shot until the outcome was as good as settled. “We often spoke about that. I think these guys have now grown mentally as much as physically from a rugby understanding perspective.

“I believe the squad and the group has grown past that. We’ve moved on from there. I think we’ve breached a lot of those hurdles. I’m confident that we will be able to play our game and not be star-struck. That was an important stepping stone for the team to go through that experience and learn from it.”

Fixture

Investec Champions Cup

Leinster

52 - 0

Full-time

Glasgow

All Stats and Data

Warriors have certainly come a long way over the past two seasons, making rapid progress from a URC quarter-final in his first term all the way to the title last year with stunning wins at Munster’s Thomond Park and the Bulls’ Loftus Versfeld.

Last week they won a first Champions Cup knockout game, thumping Leicester 43-19 in the last 16, to earn only their third ever quarter-final, and first since 2019.

While most pundits confidently expect Leinster to reach a fifth straight semi-final and beyond, Smith insists their underdog status won’t bother his side as they aim to make their own history.

“Look, I don’t think we need extra motivation,” he said. “I think going to the Aviva Stadium and playing against arguably the best club team in the world is motivation enough. Our boys are really focused already.

“We all know everything about Leinster. They’re the most talked about team. And we know that probably 90% of their squad has been on top of the world rankings with the Irish shirt on their back, so they’ve been at the top for so long.

“There’s no need to make more of them than what they already are. For us to go to Dublin and be the best version of ourselves, so that we can come back winners regardless of the result, is going to be important.

“We know they are a quality team and we will be there to apply ourselves against the best, so that we can do what’s necessary to become as good as they are.

“I believe they are the team to beat in this competition. They’ve been missing out recently. I’m sure they’re going to throw everything at it to not miss an opportunity here.” “But they are also playing against Glasgow. It’s not just us playing against Leinster. We’re going to take our product there and do the best we can.”

Warriors will be without in-form tighthead Fagerson, who started having concussion symptoms after last Saturday’s victory over Tigers.

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

3

Draws

0

Wins

2

Average Points scored

29

21

First try wins

80%

Home team wins

100%

When they didn’t subside by Tuesday, the experienced Australian Sam Talakai was promoted to the starting XV with Patrick Schickerling, who has featured eight times since arriving from Exeter last summer, joining the replacements.

“Obviously, Zander plays an integral part for us,” Smith said. “He is unique in what he does and he’s very good at it. But I’m confident that we have other players that can also do an important role.

“Sam has been part of most of the last four or five games so the continuity there is good, and we have Patrick coming in and he’s been doing his part of the job as well. So I’m looking forward to seeing him in a stressful environment like it’s going to be.”

Smith is confident Scotland flanker Rory Darge, who returns at openside with Sione Vailanu switching to No.8 in place of the suspended Henco Venter, is “ready to go” after overcoming some “niggles” on his return from Six Nations duty.

While the Dublin date comes too soon for the likes of Sione Tuipulotu, Huw Jones, Scott Cummings and Jack Dempsey, there is a return on the bench for 6ft 6in, 18st 6lb lock Max Williamson, who has had a frustrating five months since injuring his thumb against South Africa in November.

“He’s eager to contribute and he’s physically so much stronger,” Smith said. “Having him back is really, really good for us.”

The versatile Jamie Dobie again starts on the right wing ahead of Sebastian Cancelliere in an unchanged backline.

GLASGOW:
15. Kyle Rowe
14. Jamie Dobie
13. Stafford McDowall
12. Tom Jordan
11. Kyle Steyn (captain)
10. Adam Hastings
9. George Horne
1. Nathan McBeth
2. Johnny Matthews
3. Sam Talakai
4. Gregor Brown
5. Alex Samuel
6. Matt Fagerson
7. Rory Darge
8. Sione Vailanu

REPLACEMENTS:
16. Grant Stewart
17. Jamie Bhatti
18. Patrick Schickerling
19. JP Du Preez
20. Max Williamson
21. Euan Ferrie
22. Ben Afshar
23. Sebastian Cancelliere