Weir urges Glasgow to embrace the pressure of being champions

Glasgow Warriors fly-half Duncan Weir has urged his team-mates to embrace the pressure of being hunted as teams will be "looking for the scalp of the champions".

The United Rugby Championship resumes later this month with Warriors looking to defend the title they won in spectacular fashion by beating Bulls in Pretoria in June.

A callow Glasgow side lost 31-0 to Zebre in their first pre-season game and face Connacht next in their final warm-up match before facing Ulster in their URC opener.

Weir, who started against Zebre, says the intensity of their opponents from the first minute demonstrated the challenge Glasgow will face this season.

"Everyone’s going to be looking for the scalp of the champions," the former Scotland fly-half said.

"It’s going to be something that we're going to have to embrace. We can obviously take real confidence from last season, but it is in the past and it's a new team here."

Weir believes Glasgow's triumph, their second title and first since 2015, has helped raise the profile of rugby in the area again.

However, the 33-year-old says while "one of the best moments" in Scottish rugby can help inspire them, it is about "biting down on the gumshield" and trying to repeat the feat.

And Weir says Franco Smith has the group to compete at the top end of the league once again.

“We have some unbelievable athletes, we’re well coached, we all know exactly what each other is doing," he said.

"We have a template for every scenario. It means you have the freedom to play your best rugby and put your best foot forward.

"You know your teammate will always back you up. It is a special team and I love it dearly. “