Scottish Rugby

Image source, Getty

Glasgow managing director Al Kellock admits the club's "outstanding" URC final win is more special than the Pro12 triumph he played in nine years ago.

Warriors secured their first title since 2015 with a stunning comeback win over favourites the Bulls in Pretoria after trailing 13-0.

"That [2015] was special but this is better," former Scotland second-row Kellock said. "There's so much heart and soul out there. It's all about now and the now was outstanding.

"Everybody back home as well, we've got to remember so many people couldn't be here that have made this season incredibly special. Those boys left everything out there."

At 13-0 down heading towards half-time, few would have given Glasgow much of a chance in front of 50,000 Bulls fans and playing at serious altitude - over 1,000 metres above sea level.

"This was always going to be hard," added Kellock. "In the first half, I was in bits. This is such a good league with quality teams and players, this is an unbelievable achievement.

"Matt Fagerson, for me, kept us in that. That was his best performance in a Glasgow shirt. That's a high standard by his account."

Image source, SNS

Henco Venter was Glasgow's standout substitute in their URC final win over the Bulls, says BBC Scotland pundit Peter Wright.

The 32-year-old back-row came off the bench on the hour mark in Pretoria, with the Warriors scoring almost immediately after his introduction.

"Henco Venter was out to prove a point," Wright said. "I've seen him play a few times and he's been pretty consistent, but on Saturday night the period he was on the pitch I think he was the best player on the park.

"Defensively he was outstanding and when he was ball carrying, the Bulls couldn't get him on the ground."

The South African was unknown to most when he signed for the Warriors last summer, but he has come to play an important role in Franco Smith's squad, starting 11 of his 22 appearances.

"He was a real beast of a guy in the final," Wright added. "He epitomises what Glasgow are all about, he's a squad player and he performs every single time when he's on the pitch. He doesn't get a lot of game-time but when he does he can make a real difference.

"Glasgow's strength is their players perform. The 23 players in the squad did their job. To concede one try last week and one again in the final, both away from home, is an incredible effort and they won the games on defence."

Smith also came in for praise from Wright after Glasgow's first league win since 2015 - and only the second in the club's history.

"You've got to try and develop your team and the weakness the previous coach [Danny Wilson] had was that he was playing to win the next game and you can't do it when you've got a young team," he added. "You've got to find ways to fit them into the squad.

"That's what Franco Smith has done. The likes of Max Williamson, Jamie Dobie, the young players. Stafford McDowall was never really getting game time under Wilson but Smith has seen something in him.

"Smith has developed a team that he trusts in, that he believes in and he's happy to give guys game time and that's a massive ability to have in your squad."

Image source, Getty Images

Glasgow captain Kyle Steyn believes that his side have grown closer this season as they not only became fathers, but URC champions.

Steyn, Huw Jones, and Sione Tuipulotu have all started a family during the season and prop Zander Fagerson said earlier in the week that he said there was a new-found "maturity" in the squad as a result.

"I don't know if it's made us any more mature," laughed Steyn, wearing ski goggles in his post-match press conference after the URC Grand Final victory.

"Glasgow is a club that likes to connect to its community, connect to its family and for so many of us to finally feel what it feels like to have your own kids and have your own family, that's certainly something that's brought us closer together.

"Sione had his baby very recently, and being able to share in that experience with boys and all across the squad - so many dads and a couple of moms to - those experiences bring people closer together and give you a deeper sense of why you're out there and doing what you're doing."

Matt Fagerson, who was player of the match in the triumph over the Bulls, put his improved performance down to getting back to "basics".

"It's been an up and down season," Fagerson said. "The last month or so I've gone back to what makes me a good rugby player and the basics. I probably would get frustrated in games at certain times when things weren't going my way personally.

"When you're playing with your mates and people you love coming to work with it makes it all that easier."

Image source, bbc

Glasgow Warriors are your URC champions! It was a hard battle in Pretoria but the Warriors defeated Bulls 21-16 in front of 50,000 vociferous fans.

What did you make it of the game? Were you one of the lucky few people who made it out to South Africa or were you in a fan zone? We want to hear from all of you.

Let us know all your thoughts on your champions here., external

Image source, Getty Images

Former Scotland hooker Fraser Brown says there is "no comparing" Glasgow's latest league title triumph to their Pro12 win in 2015.

The Warriors went into the URC final as underdogs but came from 13-0 down to beat the Bulls in Pretoria and lift their first silverware in nine years.

"There's just no comparing 2015 to this," Brown said. "Those boys have been unbelievable in the last three weeks. To come to Pretoria and do it in front of 50,000 fans is incredible. An unbelievable feat."

Glasgow have had a tough road to the final, coming up against the two previous champions in the play-offs - Stormers and Munster.

"They've beaten the last two champions in the play-offs to be champions and then have gone to the most hostile place in the league to win it.

"It's irrelevant where you finish in the regular season, they are the best team in the league by a country mile. What an achievement to go across to South Africa and win like they did."

Brown, technically still a Warriors player who retires from professional rugby at the end of the season, picked out a few for special praise.

"I think Stafford McDowall played every single minute of the regular season bar eight minutes and hasn't played a single minute of the play offs but for guys like him, injured and not playing, it is an unbelievable effort from everyone.

"The praise and congratulations should go to Franco Smith, all the coaches and players because what a job they've done in two years. This is a Glasgow side that couldn't get past 50 minutes two years ago.

"I don't have enough words to praise Zander [Fagerson] enough, he's an incredible player and athlete. He is Scotland's best tight-head, to go 80 is a huge effort."

Glasgow fans, we asked for your pre-match views for Saturday's URC final with the Bulls.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Euan: I think we have a good chance despite the travel, heat and altitude issues. The quarter-final and semi-final wins show a knockout rugby maturity that was absent last year - defence in both games immense - two years, two finals. As Franco says, attack puts you in a position to win finals but defence wins them. C'mon Warriors!

Graham: It'll be a brutal match with both sets of players going at it hammer and tongs, so the result is likely to come down to one or two pieces of inspired play. My concern is the Bulls may have the players to do that when it really matters in the dying embers of the game.

Stuart: After a disappointing end to the regular season, the Warriors have been on fire the last two games. It will be tough, though there is belief. A notch up in gear from last week's game and I believe they will win it. They will have to execute all plays with accuracy to do it.

Jamie: As a Glasgow fan, I think this is Bulls' game to lose. A home final against a big underdog puts all the pressure on the South Africans. If Glasgow turn up and manage a spell of momentum together, the game is theirs. Huw Jones and Sione Tuipulotu will be pivotal in the centre channels. Come on Warriors!

Image source, Getty

Glasgow Warriors captain Fraser Brown believes referee Andrea Piardi being in charge for the URC final "benefits" his side.

Italian Piardi took charge of Glasgow's semi final against Munster at Thomond Park and faced some criticism for his handling of breakdowns.

"I think he's a really good referee," Brown said. "It's a positive appointment for Glasgow because they've had him previously, they've had him in a big game.

"They know how he's going to referee, they have that little bit of a relationship with him, around the set-pieces."

Eve McTiernan
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

Glasgow are "very much the underdog" in the URC final against the Bulls in Pretoria, according to former Scotland international Hugo Southwell.

The Warriors lost narrowly at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium just six weeks ago and face a real challenge if they are to end the Bulls' excellent run of home form.

However, they can take confidence from their wins over the Stormers in the quarters and Munster - away from home - in the semis.

"This will be a test for this Glasgow pack, but they came through the test with flying colours last week," Southwell told BBC Scotland.

"As much as we talk about the back three scoring the tries, it all comes from that defensive effort from the whole team and the forward pack really getting stuck in."

If Glasgow are to provide an upset, they'll have to do it in front of a full house in Pretoria.

"South African crowds can be pretty vociferous," Southwell added. "The biggest thing for Glasgow is in that environment, just keep your head and keep your discipline.

"In a cauldron like that, things can happen. Your head can go. You can get over-excited because it is going to be electric out there and you do stuff that you wouldn't normally do."

Glasgow have had a few near misses when it comes to silverware over the last five years and Southwell thinks it's about time they get their hands on a trophy and "become a proper champion side".

"Having won in Munster and then to back it up in Pretoria, that would be the proper coming of age of this Glasgow side," he said.

"That's getting into the territory of how Leinster got started and Munster when they won last year, just consistent wins away from home.

"Glasgow haven't quite been there over the years, they've been looking towards it. This is their chance to show exactly what they're made of."

Image source, SNS

Former flanker Chris Fusaro knows what it takes to win a league title with Glasgow.

And the former flanker hopes Franco Smith's men can quell a hostile atmosphere in Pretoria and dangerous Bulls side to emulate his team of 2015.

That Pro12 triumph over Munster in Belfast was the Warriors' last major silverware and Fusaro reminisced prior to this weekend's URC showpiece.

"The whole of Glasgow just came to life when we won that final," he told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland.

"I think not just for Warriors, but for everyone that came on the journey with us, our friends, our families, the city, it was absolutely incredible.

"It took four or five years in the making. And with Sean [Lineen] initially, the squad that he built, and then with Gregor [Townsend] coming in, it took a long time to build that.

"I think now that Franco's had a couple of years there, you can see he's put his stamp on the team and I think the whole of Glasgow will be buzzing. Fingers crossed they can get the win in what's going to be in a hostile environment over in Pretoria.

"They managed to silence Thomond Park last weekend against Munster and if you can do it there then you can do it against anybody.

"Inside the Glasgow players will be very nervous but the underdog mentality will help them, it's something they'll relish."

Eve McTiernan
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

Glasgow Warriors head coach Franco Smith says his side have "learned a lot of lessons" after their disappointing loss in the Challenge Cup final last season.

Smith now has a second chance of silverware, with his side facing the Bulls in the URC showpiece on Saturday, and is determined to right the wrongs of the heavy defeat by Toulon.

"I think out of the quarter-final last year against Munster at home, and obviously the final of the Challenge Cup last season, we've learned and grown," said the South African.

"We've taken some of those learnings into our pre-season and we took it through the whole season and could apply some of them already. We're looking forward to facing this next challenge."

Having beaten Munster at a sellout Thomond Park last week, the daunting task awaiting Glasgow at the Loftus Versfeld doesn't faze Smith.

"We've learned a lot from last week's game," he added. "There was 20,000 Irish supporters at Thomond Park and it could have been intimidating, but we've taken a lot from that in our preparation for this week.

"We know we're going to face a pretty hostile crowd over here as well, it's double the number that we saw last week.

"It's just about focusing on the task at hand and not getting engulfed by the occasion."

Glasgow fans, how are you feeling as the big one looms?

Are you confident Franco Smith's side can overcome the odds and claim a momentous title triumph by beating the Bulls on Saturday?

Is Smith right to stick with the same XV? And who do you think are the potential match-winners?

Let us know your thoughts on the final here., external

Image source, Getty Images

Glasgow head coach Franco Smith has been talking to the media before Saturday's URC final against Bulls in Pretoria.

Here are the best bits from his press conference:

• Smith says his side can take lots of confidence from last week's semi-final win over Munster and the way they performed in front of a hostile crowd.

• Spoke about the importance of "not getting engulfed by the occasion" and "focusing on the task at hand".

• Touched on last season's Challenge Cup final loss to Toulon, but thinks the Warriors have "learned and grown" since that experience.

• The South African praised the way in which his squad has evolved and adapted throughout the season, and says it now puts them in a place where they have "the best available team out there".

• Described winning silverware as "the next step" for this Glasgow team.

Eve McTiernan
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

Skipper Kyle Steyn is craving his first silverware in his third final with Glasgow Warriors.

The winger suffered an agonising near miss in 2019, his first season at Scotstoun, as Glasgow were narrowly beaten by Leinster in the Pro14 showpiece, before they were blown away by Toulon in last term's Challenge Cup.

With the sold out URC final against the Bulls looming in Pretoria on Saturday, Steyn said: "We've got a really clear plan and a process that we've put in place that's worked for us over the last two weeks.

"I think just focusing on that plan and not getting carried away, just making sure that the focus stays in the moment and you deal with that moment and then you can move onto the next one."

Image source, SNS

Head coach Franco Smith has named the same starting XV for the third successive game as Glasgow bid for URC glory against the Bulls in Pretoria on Saturday.

Semi-final try scorers Sebastian Cancelliere and captain Kyle Steyn continue their successful run on the wings.

Josh McKay starts at full-back while number 10 Tom Jordan plays his 50th Warriors game.

George Turner and Oli Kebble, who are leaving the club this summer, will make their last appearance if called upon from the bench.

The only changes in the squad for the final are Nathan McBeth and Duncan Weir being named among the replacements at the expense of Murphy Walker and Ross Thompson.

The Bulls make one alteration to their XV, with Springbok Kurt-Lee Arendse returning from injury to start on the wing. Full-back Willie Le-Roux drops out because of concussion suffered in the semi-final win over Leinster.

Glasgow last reached the final five years ago and are aiming to secure their first title since 2015.

Smith's men finished fourth in the regular season before beating Stormers at home and Munster away in the plays-offs.

This weekend is Bulls' second URC final, having lost to Stormers in 2022.

Bulls: Williams, Peterson, Kriel, Vorster, Arendse, Goosen, Papier, Steenkamp, Grabbelaar, W Louw, Vermaak, Nortje (capt), Van Staden, E Louw, Hanekom.

Replacements: Van der Merwe, Matanzima, Klopper, Ludwig, Carr, Burger, Smith, Smit.

Glasgow: McKay, Cancelliere, Jones, Tuipulotu, Steyn (C), Jordan, Horne; Bhatti, Matthews, Z Fagerson, Cummings, Gray, M Fagerson, Darge, Dempsey.

Replacements: Turner, McBeth, Kebble, Williamson, Ferrie, Venter, Dobie, Weir.

Image source, Getty

Glasgow don't just have to beat the Bulls in their own backyard on Saturday. They also have to beat the altitude if they're to come away from South Africa with the URC crown.

How will the players cope with the challenging conditions? Ex-Glasgow, Edinburgh and Scotland international Chris Paterson has offered an insight.

"I think players learn quite quickly and Glasgow obviously played there reasonably recently," he told BBC Scotland's Rugby Podcast.

"You'll have an experience of it, but the altitude has an effect, of course it does. It's harder to get oxygen in your lungs, you feel it, but you burst through it.

"It's almost like, from my experiences playing in the high altitude, once you get your second wind, as you imagine for those who've played sevens tournaments, the end of the first tie, you think, 'I can't put one foot in front of another, I'm absolutely broken', but somehow you can go on and play three or four more ties.

"But knowing how you're going to feel at what point, and the fact that you're going to get through it, I think is where it has less of an effect.

"And if that experience has been recent, as it was in the middle of May for a lot of the Glasgow players, then hopefully it has less effect."

Image source, Getty Images

Glasgow will need to repeat their semi-final performance if they are to beat Bulls and win the URC, according to former Scotland head coach Ian McGeechan.

The Warriors won 17-10 away in Limerick last weekend, but now face arguably an even tougher test as they travel to Pretoria for the competition's final.

"It’s a tough ask," McGeechan said. "Munster one week, Pretoria the next.

"It will be a massively physical game and it’s at altitude, so they know they need to be at their best, as they were against Munster.

"I’ve been impressed by Glasgow. In the past we would say Scottish teams have played well but they’ve given points away.

"Glasgow, now, are playing really well under pressure and taking the points when they are there."

McGeechan also believes a Glasgow win could help the national side's belief, and help them take a big step towards competing for trophies on the international stage.

"If you win the competition then you’ve taken the last step – and that’s sometimes the biggest one," McGeechan added.

"If you get players that are used to doing that, it has a knock-on effect to the national team and that’s hugely positive."

Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, Getty Images

One name leapt out when asked who to watch out for in the potential Bulls XV - Cameron Hanekom.

Nominated for the URC's player of the season - alongside team-mate Kurt-Lee Arendse, who will miss the final through injury - the 22-year-old number eight has drawn plenty of plaudits.

His man-of-the-match performance in the semi-final win over Leinster was so good that many now expect him to start for the Springboks in the summer fixtures against Ireland.

Eighteen tackles. Fourteen carries. Six defenders beaten. His stats laid bare the dominance of his performance against a Leinster back-row that had 123 Ireland caps between them.

Hanekom has been impressive all season, too. According to URC stats, he is second for offloads in the league (24) and joint fourth for turnovers (15). Scarier still - he only made his URC debut this year.

An aggressive - almost violent - ball carrier, he is now in prime position to replace Duane Vermeulen in the South Africa back-row for years to come.

Maybe that is harsh, though, on team-mate Elrigh Louw, who already has three Springbok caps. Shifted to blindside this season to accommodate Hanekom, Louw's ability to bulldoze through tackles is equally breathtaking.

While Arendse and fellow winger Canan Moodie miss out, the Bulls will hope Springbok veteran Willie le Roux is fit. The 34-year-old took a whack to the head and neck in the semi-final win and had to replaced in the second half.

Image source, Getty

Glasgow will have to knock the Bulls off their game if Franco Smith's men are to triumph in Saturday's URC final, says former Scotland star Chris Paterson.

Warriors have lost eight successive games in South Africa, including a narrow defeat by Bulls six weeks ago, since last winning there in 2018.

Having lost to Stormers in 2022, Bulls are in their second final in three years as an URC side while Glasgow last made it this far in 2019.

Speaking on the BBC Scotland Rugby Podcast, Paterson said: "I'd say Bulls are favourites. We had to do predictors about four or five weeks ago, as pundits, and I picked Bulls to win because if they play well at home, they determine who wins the game.

"Glasgow's best chance is forcing Bulls not to play well. But if the Bulls turn up with their physicality, with their game-plan, with their intensity, I don't think, as we saw last week with Leinster, you don't come away with much.

"So Glasgow need to force Bulls to play poorly and then strike."

Paterson insists there is much more in the Bulls' weaponry than just physicality.

"They are hugely physical, but they have added to the game over the last 12, 18 months," he said.

"I think Jake White [head coach] quite likes people to assume they're just a one-trick pony, massive, big physical side. But they're not, I think they're fourth for line breaks or second for offloads.

"They don't hold a lot of possession because they either score really quickly or turn it over because they have quite an attacking mentality and the last game [40-34 defeat] shows that they're so dangerous.

"But at the same time, they do have a lot of kind of unforced errors because they're trying to play a bit too quickly at times. That's where Glasgow can come alive and the blueprint for that was last week's win over Munster.

"Defend so bravely, so well, multi phase and hold your discipline after the first 10 minutes. And then you score, Glasgow's first try came from the defence, wasn't it? A forced error."

Image source, Getty

Scotland and GB Sevens back Lisa Thomson has said it was a "tough decision" to sign her hybrid contract as it meant she would miss out on a lot of 15s rugby.

After the 2021 Rugby World Cup - played in 2022 - Thomson made the choice to split her time and chase a second Olympics having travelled to Tokyo as a reserve in 2021.

The 26-year-old has achieved her aim and will head to this summer's Paris Games as the sole Scot in the 12-strong GB women's sevens squad.

"My brain has been crazy for the past six months," said Thomson.

"It's been a huge goal, I was at the World Cup in New Zealand when I accepted my sevens contract and making that decision was pretty difficult just with thinking I would be stepping away from 15s a lot.

"I knew the goal of going to an Olympics in Paris and being part of a 12 was a big aim.

"It means everything and to be a Scottish player in this environment is something I don't take lightly. I want to represent the Scottish girls that have missed out and just the country. I want to put Scotland on the map."