Mixed reaction to Glasgow's appointment of Wilson as Rennie's successor

Glasgow Warriors always faced a challenge replacing a coach of the calibre of Dave Rennie when he left.

So when it was announced this week that he would be leaving last season’s PRO14 runners-up to take over Australia at the end of this season, the Warriors were quick to appoint Scotland forwards coach Danny Wilson, but this has not been universally popular.  

Wilson has an impressive resume, having had successful spells with both Wales under-20 and Cardiff Blues in the past, leading the latter to the Challenge Cup in 2018. He also guided Wales to a third-place finish in the under-20 World Championship. 

Given the success that he had in Cardiff, many Glasgow fans back Wilson to have more success at Scotstoun as he is inheriting a better squad (if both teams are based on last season’s performance alone). 

Wilson is also thought of very highly by those from Cardiff, who recognise what a success his time at Cardiff was, helping the Blues return to the Champions Cup after a four-year exile. 

Great appointment for Glasgow, Danny made real progress with Cardiff, and would have liked to see him stay and be backed with proper funding

— Gareth Thomas (@GThomas_3) November 20, 2019

Good coaching credentials and experience. Will be interesting to see what he brings to Glasgow. Will continue to build the club which has progressed so much over the last decade plus

— G Frew (@g_frew) November 20, 2019

Hardly one to get the Glasgow fans pulses racing but he knows the league, did a good job at Cardiff Blues and has a record of working and developing young players. It looks a solid if unspectacular appointment. https://t.co/CVhqohVXqo

— Colin McBride (@colin_a_mcbride) November 20, 2019

A superb coach. Give him the right tools and he will do a brilliant job.

— Matt (@Cymru_Forever) November 20, 2019

Furthermore, many Glaswegians are hoping that with funding and backing from the club, something he may not have received with Cardiff, he can maintain the side’s growth which they have shown over the past few years. 

However, there are those that are a bit more sceptical about this deal. Ultimately, being a two-time Super Rugby winner, Rennie was always a hard act to follow. 

Moreover, some fear that the brand of rugby that the Kiwi has established in Glasgow will now go with the arrival of someone that may be less expansive. 

That may come down to who Wilson has in his coaching team, however, and does not mean that the Warriors will lose their high-tempo style of play. 

My only concern is that Glasgow are now going to lose that fast paced style that was bringing in new fans.

— Will Dev (@WilliamDevllin) November 20, 2019

https://twitter.com/wargiantcoach/status/1197052331717746688?s=20

What has concerned Glasgow fans as well is the performance of Scotland’s forwards since Wilson joined Gregor Townsend’s coaching team in 2018. If anything, some have accused the Scotland team of regressing, which does not look encouraging. 

https://twitter.com/gfitzpatrick124/status/1197086157693243392?s=20

Sorry but not a good appointment, has weakend the Scotland coaching set up and dont think he has the spark needed to take Glasgow forward.

— John-Paul Wright (@JPW091) November 20, 2019

Given how well the Scotland forwards have performed recently, was it about the coaching or the players, so let’s see how it goes. Certainly not the class of Dave Rennie

— Neil Sinclair (@scotacc) November 20, 2019

What is clear is that there is a fairly mixed reception to this news, but Wilson will arrive at the Warriors already with an understanding and relationship with many of the players from his time with the national team. That may make the process of acclimatising much easier. 

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