I’ve heard plenty of chat from individuals tipping Glasgow as darkish horses for the Champions Cup this season and I can’t see any purpose why they shouldn’t be up there difficult.
To be trustworthy, because the reigning URC champions, I’d say my previous membership are higher than simply darkish horses. They should be up there among the many favourites primarily based on that achievement alone when you think about they beat the very best of Irish and South African rugby alongside the best way.
In fact, Champions Cup rugby is one other step up at school once you add the elite English and French groups into the combination however you think Glasgow received’t worry anybody, particularly at residence.
They’ll go into the event with loads of confidence and deservedly so, but when individuals elsewhere need to underestimate them then that received’t do them any hurt both.
I used to be down at Scotstoun earlier within the week and it all the time feels a bit extra particular within the build-up to a Champions Cup match, even simply the completely different submit coverings and the completely different balls being utilized in coaching.
There’s a special buzz across the place which isn’t any shock when you think about it’s one of many largest membership competitions round.
Glasgow have a good time their beautiful URC success on South African soil earlier this 12 months
Franco Smith’s aspect have earned the appropriate to really feel assured going into this 12 months’s Euro marketing campaign
Flanker Ally Miller runs fearlessly on the Bayonne defence in a courageous away show final 12 months
Glasgow open up their marketing campaign tomorrow night time in opposition to Sale Sharks and that should be an absolute cracker.
Franco Smith and the boys might be conscious that their solely defeat at residence final season got here at this similar stage a 12 months in the past in opposition to Northampton Saints however I believed they recovered nicely from that in the remainder of their pool matches.
They dug out a cracking win away to Bayonne, beat Toulon with a bit to spare at Scotstoun and may have additionally had a win at Exeter Chiefs if Euan Ferrie hadn’t had a last-second attempt controversially chalked off.
Even the last-16 recreation in opposition to Harlequins was shut and you think Glasgow might be out for revenge in opposition to Danny Wilson’s aspect when that rematch rolls round subsequent month.
However it’s Sale to begin and that might be an actual check for Warriors, though their pack might be alongside extra acquainted traces, I’d think about, after an inexperienced aspect struggled a bit in opposition to Scarlets within the URC final weekend.
Sharks have loads of expertise within the ranks, too, and I loved watching Arron Reed enjoying for Scotland within the autumn. He has critical tempo to burn and Warriors might want to maintain an in depth eye on him all through the competition.
Euan Ferrie’s late attempt at Exeter was disallowed to disclaim Warriors a well-known victory
You’d hope, although, that Glasgow would make it safely out of their pool after which, as we noticed within the URC playoffs final season, they have a tendency to take their recreation to a different degree on the subject of knockout rugby. On their day you’d again them to beat anyone.
In the meantime, over at Edinburgh, it’s the Problem Cup for them and a tricky-looking begin away to Gloucester tonight.
That’s a giant check in opposition to a group which might be going nicely within the Premiership and had a superb win in opposition to Northampton final weekend.
They’ve made some sensible signings in Welsh pair Tomos Williams and Gareth Anscombe so it could be fairly an announcement if Edinburgh may come away from that one with a victory.
Their pool additionally features a residence tie with Black Lion from Georgia who’re coached now by Richard Cockerill. Having Cockers again within the capital to face his former aspect will add a little bit of spice to that one, particularly if Edinburgh want a win to progress.
Richard Cockerill will return to Edinburgh along with his Georgian Black Lion aspect
The European motion will get below method when Finn Russell’s Tub welcome La Rochelle to the Rec
My previous rivals alongside the M8 haven’t fairly acquired going within the URC this season however in the event you have a look at the back-three firepower they’ve acquired with guys like Duhan van der Merwe and Darcy Graham, you’d wish to suppose they may thrive in Europe this season if they will discover their prime kind.
I’m simply excited to be getting the prospect to cowl plenty of these large matches for Premier Sports activities this season.
All of it will get going within the Champions Cup tonight when Tub and my previous pal Finn Russell welcome La Rochelle to the Rec and that should be an absolute cracker. It’s an iconic stadium and it ought to make for a superb event.
Tub have been going nice weapons and are at present prime of the Premiership desk, whereas Ronan O’Gara’s aspect received this competitors in 2022 and 2023 and have been runners-up the 12 months earlier than. So it’s a superb option to get this season’s Investec Champions Cup up and operating.
Premier Sports activities are definitely throwing loads of large names at their ECPR protection. It’s a star-studded group of pundits they’re rolling out with Martin Bayfield internet hosting and legends like Lawrence Dallaglio and Simon Zebo doing the punditry — after which there’s John Barclay and myself concerned too!
Ryan Wilson might be readily available to run the rule over the very best of the motion on Premier Sports activities
The Premier Sports activities group will carry all the very best European rugby motion to our screens
It’s a giant line-up and an announcement from Premier Sports activities as they give the impression of being to offer it the protection that it deserves. I’m simply delighted to be part of it and might’t watch for each tournaments to get going.
Ryan Wilson is a part of the Premier Sports activities group bringing each Investec Champions Cup recreation dwell all through the competitors. Tune in to observe Glasgow Warriors open their Champions Cup marketing campaign in opposition to Gallagher Premiership aspect Sale Sharks at Scotstoun tomorrow from 7.30pm dwell on Premier Sports activities 2. Ryan might be alongside Ross Harries, Andy Goode and Rory Hamilton. Plus there’s motion from Gloucester v Edinburgh this night within the EPCR Problem Cup from 8pm.
Premier Sports activities is the brand new residence of Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Problem Cup with 80 video games dwell all through the competitors. Premier Sports activities is on the market within the UK from £10.99 a month and is on the market on Sky, Virgin and Amazon Prime. Premier Sports activities additionally streams on-line on a variety of units and platforms. Go to: www.premiersports.television to sign-up.