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'Bright future awaits Afshar'

'Bright future awaits Afshar'

BBC News28-01-2025

The storm may have passed but Glasgow and Connacht dealt with all the seasons in the rescheduled game on Sunday afternoon.Gale-force winds, sleet, snow and rain battered the players and left both teams looking like they would rather be anywhere other than Scotstoun.It's often spoken of how depleted Glasgow are during these international windows, where squad depth and talent are really tested.Add into the mix the amount of injuries Franco Smith is dealing with and it could cause a real headache. However, there is something about this squad. Ollie Smith played his first 80 but as 13 not at full-back and yet again Glasgow had three hookers in the 23.The stiff wind on Sunday made it a real tricky game for place kicking and clearing territory in general. Connacht started brighter but Glasgow roared back and two scores from Sebastian Cancelliere paved the way for victory.Player of the game Ben Afshar looked a veteran as he marshalled the Glasgow team throughout. He scored a marvellous try but, like George Horne and Jamie Dobie, he continually makes brilliant support runs and looks to be working hard on his kicking game too. A bright future awaits the youngster.His game-time may be restricted at present but it won't be long before he is knocking at the door of both Smith and Gregor Townsend and earning that playing time.Glasgow at this break in the season sit second in the URC and a home tie with Leicester Tigers in the Champions Cup last 16 also awaits. A successful start to 2025.

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