Are Glasgow losing steam? Should international tours be cut back?

BBC News

16-05-2025

BBC Scotland's chief sportswriter Tom English has been answering some of your Scottish rugby questions.Callum asked: Based on the last few results are Warriors losing steam in the URC ahead of the play-offs? Can they put up a good performance v Leinster at the Aviva this weekend?Tom answered: Losing steam? Definitely. A similar thing happened to them at the end of last season, but the difference between now and then is their injury list. Not only is it long, it includes some serious hitters, some of whom will not play again in the URC this season.The Benetton performance last week was lamentable on every conceivable front. Even if they don't win in Dublin they're going to have to find something that gives them some momentum for the knockouts.They'll have one or two of the heavy hitters back by then. But it's all looking pretty fraught. The confusion over Franco Smith's future doesn't help either. I think he's handled that poorly.Hopey asked: Given Glasgow's poor form, I think the expectations for the play-offs would be to win the quarter-final and lose the semi. Optimistic maybe, but looking ahead to next year do Glasgow have the grunt up front to do the same thing again?Tom answered: When they have a fairly clean bill of health there's not a whole lot wrong with Glasgow's grunt. The Fagerson brothers, Rory Sutherland, Scott Cummings, Max Williamson, Gregor Brown, Alex Samuel, Jack Dempsey, Rory Darge - those guys are very, very aggressive players.They'll miss Henco Venter and Jack Mann but Alex Craig is coming in. He's not a beast, but he's a terrific carrier and will be a real asset. Against most opponents, they won't lack grunt.They need to resolve the Franco Smith confusion and they need a bit of luck with injuries. They've lost their edge and their belief in recent weeks but they're missing a lot of senior players. It's catching up with them now.Neil asked: What's your view on Darcy Graham's omission from the Lions squad in favour of Mack Hansen's inclusion?Tom answered: In Hansen, Andy Farrell has gone with somebody he knows and trusts. He's a very intelligent player and a Grand Slam winner.I have two issues with that decision. Firstly, Hansen hasn't played since 12 April and is still injured. Secondly, and more importantly, Graham is in brilliant form, has way more pace and X-factor than Hansen and is fit as a fiddle.I feel for Graham. I think he deserved to go and he'd have been a revelation, I'm sure.Gavin asked: I'm a huge Matt Fagerson fan. While unlikely, I'd have been interested to hear how close he was to Lions selection if he was fit, but also do you agree he brings so much to every team he plays in, and is very much being missed by Glasgow at the moment?Tom answered: If he was fit and firing like he can then I don't think he'd have been too far away at all. The fact is he's injured and he's probably not been at his brilliant best this season. Not far off it, but he can play better.For me, his aggression and dog typifies Glasgow at their very best. He was immense on the road to URC glory last season. He'll be immense again.David asked: Considering the number of injuries Glasgow have suffered this season is it time to cut back on summer international tours? International matches should be the icing on the cake of rugby. Now they seem to be the bread and butter.Tom answered: There are too many Tests but it's a plaintive cry at this stage. Test matches generate the revenue that keeps the club game going, so if anything we're going to have more of them and not fewer.Next season we have the new Nations Cup happening for the first time - a likely money-spinner for each union involved.Some/many of these unions are living a very tight existence and Test rugby is the only thing that's keeping them from financial implosion.