Try machine George Horne credits Franco Smith after achieving league milestone

George Horne has joined an elite group of finishers by becoming just the eighth player to score a half century of tries in the United Rugby Championship.

The Glasgow Warriors scrum-half took his tally up to 51 with a double in last weekend’s 38-17 victory over Leinster Rugby at Scotstoun.

That takes him above Andrew Trimble and into seventh place on the all-time list for most tries in the history of the league in its various incarnations.

Just Tommy Bowe (67), Craig Gilroy (59), DTH van der Merwe, Gareth Davies, Tim Visser (all 58) and Steff Evans (54) now lie ahead of him, with veteran Scarlets scrum-half Davies the only other person on the list who is still playing in the competition.

Given Horne is just 30, he must have a decent chance of challenging former Ulster and Ospreys wing Bowe for top spot.

It was a year ago this week that he became Glasgow’s all-time top try scorer and now he has another landmark to savour.

“I started off my career, I scored quite a few and then I hit a real dry spell,” he said.

“But since Franco (Smith) has come in, we have kind of got back to the Glasgow style of rugby, playing fast which suits my game.

“He is so good at keeping it simple for us. Usually, it’s be brave and move the ball.”

Horne’s double against Leinster saw him pop up on the inside shoulder of centre Stafford McDowall for his first, while he appeared on the left wing for his second, cutting inside and touching down despite the attention of three defenders.

“It’s always nice to get over the line. Getting on the end of inside balls has been a strength throughout my career,” he said.

“Playing against Leinster is pretty special. They have been the best team in the league for a few years now. It was good. It makes Monday morning a lot easier when you come in after a win like that.”

As well as playing more than 150 games for Glasgow, the Dundee-born Horne has also won 45 caps for Scotland since making his Test debut in 2018, increasing his tally by figuring in all five games during the recent Six Nations.

Reflecting on his rugby journey, he said: “I went through a couple of years in my early 20s where I was picking up a few injuries and it was frustrating.

“It’s the same for any player. It’s always hard being injured. But, touch wood, I’ve managed to keep fit since then and I’m feeling good.

“I’m loving my rugby. I love playing for this club, for the boys, for the coaching staff, for everyone involved in the club. I am so proud to represent it.”

Former Scotland international Chris Paterson is full of praise for Horne’s predatory prowess.

“He’s scored an incredible number of tries,” said the 109-cap Paterson.

“To get there, you need to be brave, you need to be tough, you need to manage your body, you need to be super fit.

“You need a wee bit of luck along the way as well, but you have to be willing to put in the hard work and George absolutely does that.

“With the speed of the game these days, the number of breakdowns that nines have to get to is exhausting. Then to have the energy and the effort to still score that many tries is pretty good.”

Next up for the prolific Horne and table-topping Glasgow is a game at home to Benetton on Friday night.

BKT URC ALL-TIME TOP TRY SCORERS

67 – Tommy Bowe (Ulster & Ospreys)
59 – Craig Gilroy (Ulster)
58 – DTH van der Merwe (Glasgow & Scarlets), Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Tim Visser (Edinburgh)
54 – Steff Evans (Scarlets)
51 – George Horne (Glasgow)
50 – Andrew Trimble (Ulster)
49 – Dan Evans (Scarlets, Dragons & Ospreys)
48 – Dave Kearney (Leinster)
47 – Luke McGrath (Leinster)
46 – Johnny McNicholl (Scarlets), Simon Zebo (Munster)
45 – Tom James (Cardiff)