Scottish Rugby

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Glasgow Warriors are on their travels to South Africa for Saturday's URC grand final against the Bulls.

Some players left on Sunday, with head coach Franco Smith part of a second wave departing on Monday.

The final comes just seven days after a bruising semi-final victory away to Munster.

However, Smith has no problem with the recovery time.

"For one, it’s not going to be an excuse," Smith told Premier Sports at the weekend.

"This is part of the game, like injuries and refereeing decisions. We must embrace this, if we want to make this sport and this competition work across these borders. We have to make it work."

We asked for your thoughts after Glasgow Warriors sealed their place in the URC final with a stunning 16-10 victory over champions Munster.

Here is what some of you had to say:

Elliot: So proud of the lads! Absolutely massive performance and really frustrated the home crowd. Bring on the final!

Stuart: Glasgow were wonderful against a 17-man Munster. Ref was disgraceful. Home fans were refereeing the referee. Munster were on the ropes and didn’t like it, especially Peter O’Mahoney. Better team won and against some very dubious yellow cards. Tough game to follow in Pretoria against Bulls. Massive well done to Franco Smith and all at Scotstoun.

Craig: Gritty and organised. Brilliant second try and amazing defence. Franco Smith for Scotland coach and First Minister!

Fraser: Great team performance, especially by some of our unsung players, Tom Jordan in particular. Our discipline, which at times has let us down, was immense when we were down to 14 men. If we can repeat this level of discipline next week then there’s no reason why we can’t win in Pretoria. Remember, we are Warriors.

Colin: Nice tonic after the disappointment of the football result. Glasgow are leading the way in Scottish team sport. All the best for the final and let's bring that trophy home.

Graham: For once we had quality of character away from home. Defence was superb and played with intent.

Adam: Was at Scotstoun for the quarter-final and watched the semi-final in the house. I used to watch Glasgow through my fingers but not any more. Smith has built a confident and competitive team that always look to score. Fearless, inventive and stellar in defence. I’d love to see him as the next national team coach driving Scottish rugby forward.

Stuart: We as a team fully deserve this win. The Warrior Nation have waited patiently for it. We Are Warriors! Lotus Versfeld we are coming!

Allan: Another brilliant defensive display by Glasgow with a sprinkling of good interceptions and a magnificent move from deep to score the second try. To win away at Munster is a very tough thing to do. Now bring it home boys.

Chris: So impressed by Glasgow's mentality. Played 14 v 15 for 20 minutes and still never looked like losing. Stuck to the task. Some massive performances

Stuart: The belief Franco Smith has given them since he arrived is incredible. Total turnaround. So many players put their hands up with huge performances. Seen some classy comments from Munster fans wishing Glasgow luck and congratulating them as the better team. Well played Munster!

James: A win against Munster at home is no mean achievement. Going to South Africa is going to be an even bigger challenge but if they can handle the South Africans' physicality and keep disciplined, then I have no doubt this team can do it.

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A defensive masterclass was the foundation of Glasgow's stunning URC semi-final win over Munster, says former Scotland prop Peter Wright.

Despite two yellow cards in the first half, Glasgow triumphed 17-10 at a packed Thomond Park to set up a final with the Bulls in Pretoria this Saturday.

"I think the way Glasgow won it, they won it on their defence," said Wright.

"First half they should've been 20 points behind. Munster had so many chances but Glasgow defended so well all night.

"They had a tough night with the referee as well but they're in the final which is all that matters.

"That's the one thing about Franco Smith - he believes every player is good enough to play in the first team and gives them chances and that then bolsters the confidence of the player."

Former Glasgow Warriors back Colin Gregor hailed Glasgow's performance as "absolutely outstanding".

"That was all about grit, doggedness and defence, taking chances when they came," Gregor added.

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Victorious Glasgow Warriors head coach Franco Smith told BBC Scotland he's "really proud of the resilience" shown by his team to overcome two yellow cards and secure a URC final place.

The two yellow cards came in the first half, firstly to Richie Gray and then Matt Fagerson.

"I'm very proud of the boys, the fact that they stuck to the script again and they worked really hard," he said.

"They adapted well to what was needed and under difficult circumstances with the fact we had two yellow cards. Really proud of the resilience.

"It was clear to everyone outside that we wanted to play to win tonight and we were just making too many errors the first half.

"Our own mistakes led to us defending a lot of sets and then getting penalised unnecessarily and that was the bad spiral we were in."

With the "red army" out in force at Thomond Park, Smith says he is "proud of the boys for not being influenced" by the crowd.

"There was obviously very few Glasgow supporters. They definitely were the 16th man for [Munster] in the last bit of the game and I'm absolutely proud that the boys didn't get influenced."

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Glasgow Warriors lock Scott Cummings believes the side "stuck to our game plan" to secure their passage to the URC final..

Glasgow came out on top to go through to Pretoria next weekend after beating Munster 10-17 at Thomond Park.

"We stuck to what we wanted to do, we stuck to our game plan which has done us well all year," Cummings told BBC Radio Scotland.

"We just did it better than what we were doing at the end of the season.

"Munster play a good brand of rugby so it was tough for us. everyone thinks of Munster as a physical up front team, but they move the ball a lot."

Cummings set up Glasgow's second try but admitted he "didn't even know what happened."

"I was setting up for something completely different than I was supposed to do. Just turned round and there was a line break. Some unbelievable tries, I think even Steyno's [Kyle Steyn] just comes off the back of our defence.

"We put in some effort for that game and we needed it to get the win.

"It was tough, it was physical. We all work hard for each other, we feel like we're a hardworking team that's very close and we have to train hard as well. We put the effort in but we feel that we need to to get the results from it."

Well, Pretoria is the final destination for Glasgow Warriors after a monumental 10-17 win at Thomond Park against Munster.

What did you make of tonight's game? Were you in Limerick watching or were you hiding behind the sofa at home? Who stood out for you?

Give us your views on the season as a whole as well as tonight's result here., external

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Glasgow head coach Franco Smith told Premier Sports:

"I think defensively we stayed in the fight, despite two yellow cards, and that's compliments to Nigel [Carolan].

"Because I'm attack minded people always think it's just about attack and we put a lot of work into it. Pete Murchie is doing a great job. There's a lot of work and understanding from the players that grows and grows with this.

"I always believe in the saying 'attack puts you in positions to win finals but defence wins finals'. It was important for us to front up physically. The believe that we've created through that has allowed us to back up some good maul skill and ball retention opportunities."

Eve McTiernan
BBC Sport Scotland

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Glasgow Warriors head coach Franco Smith has hailed semi-final opponents Munster as "one of the top teams" in the United Rugby Championship.

Munster have made it to 12 semi-finals, winning six of them, but Smith and his side are no stranger to knock out rugby either.

"To get into the top four and to play each other, it was always going to be tough," Smith said. "Munster have been one of the top teams for years now - I can't remember when they last didn't make the top eight or played in the top four.

"Traditionally, they're a very good side and we didn't make more of this week than what it already is. I hope the boys will show the same collected and calm approach that they've done this last week."

With a very successful first two years with the province, head coach Graham Rowntree is looking to get his second successive title.

"He's a fantastic person and, from the few words we've shared, he's obviously brought a lot of direction, there is a sense of continuity with the work that was done with Johann van Graan and he's put his own spin on a lot of that," Smith added.

"Obviously he is well respected. If you look at the way that they came back last year after the defeat against us last year and just kept on rolling it out and winning the competition away from home, it says a lot.

"Now the last 10 games unbeaten to go to South Africa and win two games there, that's massive. He's done well, I think he's got a good bunch of players behind him that buy into what he does with the team."

Eve McTiernan
BBC Sport Scotland

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Franco Smith has urged his Glasgow side not to get "engulfed by the fact this is a semi-final" when they visit in-form Munster on Saturday.

While Glasgow have been to nine Pro12/URC semi-finals, this is their first since 2019.

"That's the main theme around our team this week, to not get engulfed by the fact that this a semi-final," said head coach Smith.

"We know more is made of the occasion. We need to stay on script and concentrate on our competence and our ability to make sure we give it the full go.

"There's not a second chance in knockout rugby. Your approach changes a little bit, and there's a different mindset to it, but you must find the balance so that you have enough continuity of what brought you into the finals without going completely off script and away from your DNA."

With an unchanged starting XV named, Smith stressed his selection is down to having "the right people for the occasion" on the pitch.

"I've planned this from the start of the season to have the best players out there for the most important game. The right people for the occasion, not necessarily the best people," he added.

"Continuity so late in the season is the most important and it's not about rewarding anybody, the players know that. What's happened doesn't count, it's the next action that's going to be more important."

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Munster back-rower Gavin Coombes says "nothing changes" for this side as they look to end Glasgow's dreams of reaching the URC final.

The Irish side are on a 10-game URC winning streak and have home advantage in Saturday's semi-final at Thomond Park.

"Nothing changes for us, every week has been huge for us and must-wins," said Ireland international Coombes.

"This week is no different. We've got a good plan in place and are looking forward to the game.

"We've looked at Glasgow and assessed where we need to be better from last week [quarter-final win over Osprey] and where their strengths are and where there's opportunities for us as well."

Head coach Graham Rowntree says Glasgow's last visit to Thomond Park - a 38-26 win for the Scottish side in March 2023 - has proved to be a valuable lesson for his side.

"28-0 at half-time wasn't it?" he said. "I'll never forget that dressing room but we were better in the second half. I think the term I used was 'it gave us a punch on the nose'.

"Certainly defensively we changed some key elements of our game and how we were training. I look back at what we learned and we picked up from that game and it's stood to us since."

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The URC's team of the season has been announced - and includes a player each from Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Having already been crowned the turnover king, Edinburgh's Jamie Ritchie is named at flanker in the elite XV.

And after a stellar season for Warriors, Sione Tuipulotu is part of the midfield.

The team was dominated by Bulls, with six players selected.

URC team of the Season: Warrick Gelant (Stormers), Jordan Larmour (Leinster), Sione Tuipulotu (Glasgow Warriors), Alex Nankivell (Munster), Kurt-Lee Arendse (Bulls), Jack Crowley (Munster), John Cooney (Ulster), Ox Nche (Sharks), Akker van der Merwe (Bulls), Wilco Louw (Bulls), Tadhg Beirne (Munster), Ruan Nortjé (Bulls), Jamie Ritchie (Edinburgh), Elrigh Louw (Bulls), Cameron Hanekom (Bulls).

Eve McTiernan
BBC Sport Scotland

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Glasgow head coach Franco Smith has been speaking to the media before this weekend's URC semi-final against Munster in Limerick.

Here are the key points:

• Smith says his team are "calm" and he "hasn't made more of this weekend than needed".

• He expects a tough challenge against Munster, describing them as "traditionally a very good side" and says he can't remember when they last didn't make the play-offs or top four.

• He downplayed the rivalrly between the sides and stressed "the occasion is bigger".

• Has reminded his side there is"no second chance in knockout rugby" and says they need to show the balance and continuity that "brought them to the semi-finals".

• It's important that Glasgow "play the game and not the occasion" at Thomond Park on Saturday.

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Glasgow head coach Franco Smith has named an unchanged starting XV to face Munster in Saturday's URC semi-final at Thomond Park.

Top try scorer Johnny Matthews will pack down alongside fellow Scotland internationals Jamie Bhatti and Zander Fagerson in the front row.

George Horne, a standout in last weekend's quarter-final win over the Stormers, continues his half-back partnership with Tom Jordan, who makes his 49th appearance for the club.

Murphy Walker takes a place on the bench at the expense of Nathan McBeth in the only change to the squad.

Munster head coach Graham Rowntree has made four changes to his starting line-up, with Ireland wing Calvin Nash missing because of a leg injury.

Full-back Mike Haley and fit-again centre Alex Nankivell come into the backline while Fineen Wycherley and Jack O’Donoghue start in the pack.

Should Glasgow win, they will be away to Bulls or Leinster in the final.

Munster: Haley; Shane Daly, Frisch, Nankivell, Zebo, Crowley, Casey; Loughman, Scannell, Archer, Wycherley, Beirne (C), O’Mahony, Hodnett, O’Donoghue.

Replacements: Barron, Ryan, Jager, Snyman, Coombes, Murray, O’Brien, Kendellen.

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

Replacements: Turner, Kebble, Walker, Williamson, Ferrie, Venter, Dobie, Thompson

Eve McTiernan
BBC Sport Scotland

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Standing between Glasgow and the URC final are old rivals Munster.

Saturday's semi-final at Thomond Park will be the 43rd meeting of the sides, with Munster having won 25 of the previous head-to-heads compared to Glasgow's 16, with one draw.

Glasgow and Munster have a history of tough confrontations and tight margins, including the 2015 final where Glasgow came out on top 31-13 to take what remains their last title.

The last time the two sides faced each other was back in December when the Warriors travelled to a freezing Musgrave Park and suffered a 40-29 defeat.

However, Glasgow will be buoyed by happy memories of their previous trip to Thomond Park. In March 2023 Franco Smith's men handed Munster a 38-26 defeat in Limerick, their first victory there since 2014. Can they repeat those heroics this weekend in their first URC semi-final for five years?

It will be no easy task. With a 10 game winning streak, their best since 2011, defending champions Munster are in formidable form.

While Glasgow had a 100% home record in the regular season, they lost five of nine away trips, including the defeat to Munster.

The Irish side have played in 12 previous semi-finals, winning six, whereas Glasgow have played in nine and only won three, although all those wins came in their last five visits to this stage.

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Scottish Rugby’s search for a new chief executive is to be extended after their preferred candidate to replace Mark Dodson withdrew at an advanced stage of negotiations.

The governing body are now set to start the recruitment process from scratch.

The new CEO was intended to have a key role in the search for a performance director to replace the outgoing Jim Mallinder, but with that process still ongoing the new head of performance could now be in place before the chief executive is appointed.

There is no timescale for when the new CEO will be appointed but it is expected to be mid-summer at the earliest and could possibly be into next season before Dodson’s successor is confirmed.

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Glasgow Warriors hooker Johnny Matthews and Edinburgh flanker Jamie Ritchie have picked up awards for their efforts in the URC this season.

Matthews received the top try scorer prize after crossing the whitewash 14 times in the regular campaign.

The 30-year-old played in all 18 of Glasgow's games, scoring a whopping 70 points.

Ritchie, meanwhile, was named the league's turnover king with 22 to his name.

Ritchie amassed 22 turnovers, four more than the next closest, his 12 outings.

Edinburgh fell short of a play-off spot while Glasgow face Munster this weekend in the semi-finals at Thomond Park.

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Glasgow Warriors aim to right the wrongs of last season's URC play-off defeat by Munster when the sides meet in Saturday's semi-final, says Rory Darge.

The back-row admits Franco Smith's men badly underperformed to lose 14-5 at home to the Irish side at the last-eight stage a year ago.

Now Glasgow go looking for revenge against the reigning champions at Thomond Park, having already suffered a 40-29 defeat in Limerick this season.

"The main thing for this weekend is trying to get into the final of the URC, that's the motivator," said Darge, 24.

"That quarter-final really was a tough pill to swallow. When you're watching URC semis and finals after getting knocked out in the quarters in a game that you feel like you didn't show your best, it's a tough one to take.

"I think we've learned more lessons. We're not going to shy away from our ambition, but that doesn't mean that we're under any illusions about it's going to take.

"Saturday [quarter-final win over Stormers] was a huge game, but now it's the semi-final, which is an even bigger one against the reigning champions."

Glasgow are bidding to reach the final for the first time since 2019. And Darge says meetings with Munster always come with an extra edge.

"Since I've been at Glasgow anyway, every game we've played them, it's just been so competitive, so physical, lots of niggle," the Scotland co-captain added.

"We also beat them over in Thomond [Park] last season in the regular season then they came over here and knocked us out in the quarters.

"I think the style that both teams play, two clubs that are usually there thereabouts come play-off time. It's just competitive nature of it."

We asked for your views after Gregor Townsend named 10 uncapped players in his Scotland squad for the summer tour of the Americas.

Here is what some of you had to say...

Stuart: The summer tour is all about building a descent depth of squad and finding and playing the young guns with senior players for experience. Surprised Johnny Matthews is not selected. We will have to wait to see who impresses. Nice to see Adam Hastings selected. Hope he keeps injury free.

Ben: Would liked to have seen a bolter in the form of Fergus Burke. Surprised Cam Redpath, Rory Hutchinson and Mosese Tuipulotu are not included but Huw Jones and Sione Tuipulotu are - would of thought the sure partnership would be rested. Euan Ferrie, Ally Miller and Magnus Bradbury also unlucky to miss out. Surprised more big hitters haven’t been rested.

Jim: Far too many established players and where on earth are Bradbury, Ben Vellacott and Matthews? Classic Townsend selection of his favourites and then some tokens to semi satisfy the masses.

Ronald: I can't understand why Gregor Hiddleston isn't in the squad if Townsend is looking at hookers. One obvious omission is Andy Christie who was outstanding in any game time he got in the Six Nations. Josh Bayliss is one of these guys who gets named in every squad but never plays.

James: The omission of Matthews, Christie and Bradbury shows why Townsend should be replaced. In his own terms maybe he should have been rested and the reins given to, say, Franco Smith to lead the tour. After a backwards step in the Six Nations, many feel Toony has lost his way.

Leon: Disappointed for Matthews. Townsend's excuse for not selecting him comes across as very hollow given the number of senior players in the squad. Robbie Smith is a talent, but he struggled badly when he took the pitch at Scotstoun and that game coincidentally started to swing in Glasgow's favour. Patrick Harrison also has stacks of potential but little game time.

Roddie: Whatever Gregor says, omitting Matthews is a snub. He has been prolific in the URC and has impressed across the park. Not just at the back of a maul.

Steven: No real great surprises, summer of rest for the exiles like Finn Russell and Blair Kinghorn. Generally looking at the younger guys and giving them some exposure alongside a few of the veterans. Interesting to see who gets the nod at 10 between Ben Healy and Hastings. Hope is we develop new tighthead and hooker options.

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

This was always going to be a experimental Scotland squad named by Gregor Townsend for the summer tour matches against Canada, USA, Chile and Uruguay, but there is enough experienced heads throughout the core of the team to ensure no absence of leadership.

It's always interesting to note the absentees from any squad. Some came as no surprise, with the likes of Finn Russell, Ben White, Richie Gray, Grant Gilchrist, Jack Dempsey, Zander Fagerson and others sure to benefit from a summer off.

The omission of Johnny Matthews is more surprising. With Fraser Brown and Stuart McInally both now retired and George Turner departing for Japan, and thus probably ruling himself out of Test contention, Matthews would seem the obvious choice to be competing with Ewan Ashman for the number two jersey. Alas, the prolific Glasgow hooker is being left at home.

Ashman looks to be the man in position to take on that hooker role having been a standout in an otherwise underperforming Edinburgh side this season. A good showing this summer will only cement that status.

With Glasgow's season still ongoing with a URC semi-final and potentially a final to come, it will be a long old campaign for the likes of Sione Tuipulotu and Rory Darge, though perhaps injury lay-offs for both those players earlier in the season means they may not have quite as many miles on the clock as others.

In Russell's absence, Ben Healy will have a chance to get some time in the saddle at 10 for Scotland having played only a bit-part since his introduction to the fold, while Adam Hastings will look to put two years of injury hell behind him to reacquaint himself with Test rugby.

Townsend has not revealed who will be the tour captain and it may be that with changes likely to be significant for each game, the head coach elects to choose a skipper on a match-by-match basis.

Jamie Ritchie will presumably come into that conversation having led the team in the 2023 Six Nations and Rugby World Cup before losing that honour, and finding himself in and out the team, during this year's Six Nations. This summer will be a good opportunity to remind the coaches of his qualities, not just as a back-row of immense ability but also as a leader.

Of the 10 uncapped players, some have been in and around the squad before and it will be interesting to see how much game time the likes of Sale winger Arron Reed gets having been in the initial squad for the Six Nations but failing to make a matchday 23.

It would seem likely that all 37 players will be given a chance to shine at some stage and stake their claim for bigger tests to come in the autumn.

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Gregor Townsend says a desire to create more competition for the Scotland number two jersey is the reason for the surprise omission of in-form Glasgow Warriors hooker Johnny Matthews from the summer tour squad.

Matthews has played a key role in Warriors’ run to the URC semi-finals and has scored 17 tries in his last 25 matches.

However, Townsend has elected to go with the Edinburgh duo Ewan Ashman and Patrick Harrison and Northampton’s Robbie Smith for the matches against Canada, USA, Chile and Uruguay.

"I think with Johnny and Dave Cherry, they've been in our environment and we feel with where we are with hookers, we want to give an opportunity to younger players to really put their hands up for selection in the future," Townsend told the BBC Scotland Rugby Podcast.

"This gives us an opportunity to see three of our younger hookers or players that are coming through in that position.

"On a tour where Ewan Ashman will be the leading hooker, he's played very well for Edinburgh this year, so yes we could have taken Johnny, we could have taken Dave, but we decided to look at players that haven't been involved in our environment.

"[It gives us] more depth in that position and Johnny and Dave will be very much in the mix when we get to the November Tests.

"Hopefully they'll be competing with one, two or three new hookers that have come through on tour and we still have a couple of hookers that are playing good rugby.

"Angus Fraser and Gregor Hiddleston have played for Glasgow this year so we know it's a position that players haven't played much for Scotland but are competing hard to get that opportunity."