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BBC News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
URC play-offs: Glasgow Warriors v Stormers
Update: Date: 19:27 BST Title: Post Content: Glasgow Warriors v Stormers (19:35) Some hardy Stormers fans have made the trip to Glasgow to cheers their team on tonight. Update: Date: 19:24 BST Title: Can Glasgow replicate last season's success? Content: Glasgow Warriors v Stormers (19:35) Andy BurkeBBC Sport Scotland at Scotstoun In many respects, this campaign bears many of the hallmarks of last season for Glasgow Warriors, one that saw them go all the way in the United Rugby Championship. Superb consistency to remain in the top two for the majority of the campaign, only to fall off with some patchy form late in the regular season to finish fourth. Now, as then, the Stormers lie in wait in the quarter-finals in what should be a belting showdown at Scotstoun. Not many expected Glasgow to pick up the sort of steam they did in last year's play-offs, sweeping aside the South African side at home before stunning wins away to Munster and the Bulls to take the title. Even as defending champions, Warriors are once again viewed largely as outsiders behind the likes of Leinster, Bulls and the Sharks in the race to lift the trophy. They have more recent experience of going the distance, however, and only a fool would write them off. Update: Date: 19:21 BST Title: McKay & Venter return for Warriors Content: Glasgow Warriors v Stormers (19:35) Glasgow Warriors are able to call upon Josh McKay and Henco Venter this evening, but are without Scotland centre Huw Jones, who has an Achilles problem. McKay returns from injury while Venter is available again following suspension amid several changes to the side beaten by Leinster in the final match of Glasgow's regular league season. Gregor Hiddleston and Murphy Walker join Jamie Bhatti in the front row and Scott Cummings partners Alex Samuel in the second row. George Horne and Tom Jordan are the preferred half-backs, Stafford McDowall replaces Jones alongside Sione Tuipulotu, while Kyle Rowe shifts to the wing to accommodate McKay at full-back. Kyle Rowe starts on the wing for Glasgow Update: Date: 19:18 BST Title: Line-ups from Scotstoun Content: Glasgow Warriors v Stormers (19:35) Glasgow Warriors: McKay, Rowe, McDowall, Tuipulotu, Steyn, Jordan, Horne; Bhatti, Hiddleston, Walker, Samuel, Cummings, Ferrie, Darge, Venter. Replacements: Matthews, McBeth, Talakai, Williamson, Mann, Duncan, Dobie, Hastings. Stormers: Gelant, Loader, Hartzenberg, Du Plessis, Senatla, Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Ungerer; Vermaak, Venter, Fouche, Moerat, Van Heerden, De Villiers, Theunissen, Roos. Replacements: Dweba, Matongo, Sandi, Schickerling, Evans, Nel, Jantjies, Libbok. Update: Date: 19:15 BST Title: It's knockout time Content: Glasgow Warriors v Stormers (19:35) Glasgow host Stormers in the first URC quarter-final this evening, as Franco Smith's side attempt to defend their league title. Warriors triumphed when these sides met at this stage last season and would love a repeat performance. Kick-off is 20 minutes away, so let's have a look at the teams.
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Wounded Warriors will have to do it the hard way if they are to defend URC crown
Bruised, battered and bashed-up for much of the season, there was almost a cruel sense of inevitability that Glasgow Warriors should lose another key player to injury ahead of the URC play-offs. The absence of Huw Jones due to an Achilles injury is undoubtedly a blow to Glasgow's chances of beating the Stormers in their quarter-final clash at Scotstoun tonight. Glasgow head coach Franco Smith spoke yesterday of how the problem is not expected to be long-term, and of how Jones could even return as early as next weekend for any possible semi-final. But to lose one of the form players in Europe this season, and bearing in mind that Jones had only recently returned to action, felt in keeping with the rotten luck Glasgow have experienced throughout the campaign. It is perhaps just as well that Smith has become well-accustomed to operating with one hand tied behind his back over recent months. As reigning champions, Glasgow's title defence has been pockmarked by the loss of key players. The injury list has been extensive, to the extent they actually had well over 20 players out of action at one point. Jones has only played four times for Glasgow since the turn of the year. His partner in crime in midfield, Sione Tuipulotu, has only recently returned from a four-month lay-off. Zander Fagerson has started just one match since the Six Nations finished in March and the word at Scotstoun is that he may not play again this season due to a calf injury, before he heads of with the Lions in the summer. His brother, Matt, also continues to be a big loss due to an ankle injury and hasn't started a URC match since late December. Jack Dempsey hasn't started a URC game for Glasgow since last October and hasn't played at all since Scotland's Six Nations win over Wales in early March. These are all players who would go straight into a first-choice XV for Glasgow. There have been other squad players who have also missed a large chunk of the season. Smith is able to welcome back Josh McKay and Henco Venter for tonight's clash with a Stormers side who finished the regular season with four straight wins and are former champions. That is undoubtedly a welcome boost, but it's undeniable that Glasgow's team has a makeshift and patched-up look to it in certain areas, most notably up front. Murphy Walker comes in to make his first start of the season at tighthead. That's a tall order at this stage of the season against a South African side who are sure to put him under huge pressure in the scrum. Indeed, there are only three of Glasgow's forward pack — Jamie Bhatti, Scott Cummings and Rory Darge — who could claim to be first-choice. The rest is make do and mend. Smith acknowledged that having such a depleted squad is far from ideal at this stage of the season, but he sees it as a challenge. It is a chance for his players to dig deep and show resilience. 'These three games that are lying ahead in the play-offs are a different season,' said the Warriors head coach. 'It's a completely different task than what is expected in the first part of the season. 'This is the 12th play-off game that we're going to be involved in since I arrived and there's a clear understanding that it's different. 'The challenge that people may overlook over a period of 35-36 weeks is to stay mentally and physically prepared, rotate the squad, win, stay on top when you're the leaders or the previous year's champions. 'It's a big mental challenge. We've played games with hookers at loose forward, flankers at lock, locks at flanker and things like that. 'We see that as a completely different challenge and we're looking forward now to the next one, which obviously we have worked hard to be a part of. 'We just want to go out and finish this season on a high. Everybody goes through a bit of a patch where they're challenged. But I'm not concerned, I'm excited.' Glasgow beat the Stormers at the same stage of the competition last year on their way to winning the title, winning 27-10 at Scotstoun before going on to win away at Munster in the semis and the Bulls in the final. As was the case last year, this is likely to be their last home game of the season tonight, with a semi-final away in Dublin against Leinster looming large on the horizon. But, in order to get there, they will need to dig deep. The Stormers are a quality outfit who finished the regular season like a steam train. Reeling off four straight wins, they scored an aggregate of 172 points in those four matches against Connacht, Benetton, Dragons and Cardiff. However, all four of those wins came on home soil in South Africa, so this will be a much stiffer proposition going away from home against a Glasgow side who have made Scotstoun a fortress under Smith. Stormers lost at home to Glasgow 28-17 earlier in the season, so they will need to raise their game if they are to progress to the semi-finals. But with the likes of Springbok star Manie Libbok on the bench, they have plenty of star power to cause Glasgow serious problems. Asked about the expectation that it will be a tight game, Smith replied: 'Yeah, we expect that. Play-off rugby is all about that. That's why I say it's a completely different competition from previous rounds. 'We've got that experience. We've been in close games. I think there's some cool heads on the pitch who have played a lot of Test match rugby as well. 'I'm sure that the plan and the approach that's in place allows the players to manage that well. 'I'm sure that playing at home, being motivated with the amount of people in the stands and with the pride that we have for the jersey, I've got no doubt that we will manage the back end of the game well.' This is a test of Glasgow's character and resilience as much as anything. They have been the walking wounded for much of the season. But, even bashed-up and without so many first-team starters, they won't give up their title without a fight. It promises to be a Friday night thriller at Scotstoun.
Scotsman
6 days ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
Glasgow Warriors give update on Huw Jones injury and Lions prognosis
Glasgow Warriors' Huw Jones will miss the URC play-off quarter-final against the Stormers. | SNS Group Smith explains injury situation for Warriors man Sign up to our Rugby Union newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Huw Jones has an Achilles tendon issue that will need to be managed but Glasgow Warriors coach Franco Smith is confident it will not affect the player's participation in the British & Irish Lions' summer tour. The centre has been ruled out of Glasgow's United Rugby Championship quarter-final against the Stormers at Scotstoun on Friday night after the problem flared up again and Stafford McDowall will take his place at 13. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Jones, 31, made his long-awaited comeback for the Warriors against Benetton earlier this month. It was his first match since playing for Scotland against France in the Six Nations decider and he retained his place for Glasgow's game with Leinster a fortnight ago. Glasgow Warriors' Huw Jones will miss the URC play-off quarter-final against the Stormers. | SNS Group The injury has troubled Jones for some time and while it won't require surgery it will need to be carefully managed. 'Unfortunately since the Six Nations, Huw has been struggling with that,' said Smith. 'It's not a muscle injury, it's a tendon issue. It flares up and it takes a lot of time to get the inflammation gone. He's not been available. All our Lions haven't been available much since the Six Nations. 'When this thing reoccurred at the back end of last week, it looked treatable and we've managed it well. But it just flared up again on Tuesday. He was announced originally in the team but unfortunately now for him, we have to go and have a deeper look to see if we can get him fixed and get the inflammation down so he'll be able to play in any other game that hopefully we will play going forward.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Glasgow are aiming to retain the URC title they won so impressively last season and a victory over the Stormers would set up a semi-final against either Leinster or Scarlets. Jones played a key role in last year's triumph, dovetailing brilliantly with Sione Tuipulotu in the midfield. His centre partner has also been sidelined by injury and only made his return in the Leinster game after four months out. While Tuipulotu has come through unscathed, Jones will have to be patient as Glasgow try to ease him back. Glasgow Warriors' Huw Jones and Sione Tuipulotu after they were named in the British & Irish Lions squad. | SNS Group 'Without becoming a doctor in five minutes, I can honestly state that it's something that will be managed for the rest of his career,' added Smith. 'By the last five years of my own career, I had similar problems so I can relate to what's happening to him. 'Unfortunately, you pick up a little bit of wear and tear through the years. Now at the later stage of one's career, it always influences things a little bit. But it is treatable, it is manageable and I'm sure he'll be back fighting as early as next week.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Jones, Tuipulotu and their Glasgow team-mates Scott Cummings and Zander Fagerson have all been named in the Lions squad for the tour of Australia and Smith insisted Jones' place was not in doubt. 'No, not at all,' said the coach. 'Huw is an important player for us and it's important that he gets well. I think he's going to play a lot of rugby still in the summer.' Smith sad at exits Smith, meanwhile, has expressed his disappointment at the imminent departure of Sebastian Cancelliere and JP du Preez who will leave the club at the end of the season. The pair are part of a group of eight exits announced this week by Glasgow. 'I'm really disappointed,' said Smith. 'There's nobody at the club that I wanted to lose. We're people that give our hearts and those two are similar. The disappointment in their eyes and the way they've gone about their business, JP working hard to get back in form and obviously, Seb has been brilliant for the time I've been here. But even before he's absolutely had value on and off the pitch. I'm really disappointed that it's come to an end for him here.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Scottish Rugby is in the process of implementing a policy of having more Scottish players which is believed to have partly shaped the decision to allow Cancelliere and du Preez to leave. Smith has already expressed his sadness that Henco Venter, the South African No 8, is also leaving.
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Glasgow centre Huw Jones ruled out of URC play-off clash... but head coach Franco Smith insists Achilles injury will NOT harm his Lions chances
Huw Jones has been ruled out of Glasgow Warriors' URC quarter-final clash against the Stormers tomorrow evening due to the recurrence of an Achilles injury. But Warriors head coach Franco Smith insists that the setback is only short-term and won't have any impact on Jones' involvement with the British and Irish Lions in the summer. It has been a niggling problem for Jones over recent months and something which has had to be managed by club and country. The Scotland centre, 31, had initially been named in Glasgow's starting XV for the visit of the Stormers to Scotstoun, only for the problem to flare up again. When the team was announced earlier today, there had been concerns among Glasgow fans that Jones' absence could well become hinder his availability for the Lions and their tour of Australia. Jones was one of four Warriors stars — along with Zander Fagerson, Sione Tuipulotu and Scott Cummings — who were selected for the tour Down Under. Head coach Franco Smith was disappointed by the news after initially naming Jones in his side But Smith was quick to quell those fears. Asked if there was any danger of Jones being in danger of missing the Lions, he replied: 'No, not at all. It's just about managing it and nullifying any risk. 'Unfortunately, since the Six Nations, Huw has been struggling with that. It's not a muscle injury, it's a tendon issue. 'It flares up and it takes time to get the inflammation gone. He's not been available. All our Lions haven't been available much since the Six Nations. 'When this thing reoccurred at the back end of last week, it looked treatable and we've managed it well. But it just flared up again on Tuesday. He was announced originally in the team. 'Unfortunately for him, we have to go and have a deeper look to see if we can get him fixed and get the inflammation down. 'Without becoming a doctor in five minutes, I can honestly state that it's something that will be managed for the rest of his career. 'By the last five years of my own career, I had similar problems, so I can relate to what's happening to him. 'But it is treatable, it is manageable and I'm sure he'll be back fighting as early as next week. 'Huw is an important player for us and it's important that he gets well. I think he's going to play a lot of rugby still in the summer.' Stafford McDowall has been given the nod to start in Jones' absence and he will partner Sione Tuipulotu in midfield. Glasgow beat the Stormers as the same stage of the play-offs last year before going all the way to win the title. Smith accepts his team are in for a tough challenge when they face the South Africans, but is confident they can pull through. 'Stafford's been playing well, so I'm going to lean that way,' said the Warriors boss. 'He has shown the whole season, he's put up his hand for responsibility. There's no better replacement for us. 'This is going to be a really tough game for us, the Stormers have a lot of experience and quality. But we have prepared well and are ready for it.'
BBC News
6 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
Glasgow calm fears over injured Jones' Lions hopes
Glasgow head coach Franco Smith is confident Huw Jones will be fit for this summer's British and Irish Lions tour of Australia despite the recurrence of a niggling Achilles centre will miss Warriors' United Rugby Championship semi-final against the Stormers at Scotstoun on Friday has confirmed it is the same issue that sidelined Jones for two months after Scotland's Six Nations campaign."It flares up every now and then and it's just too close to the game to recover," Smith told BBC Scotland."It was better to make the call earlier in the week, so that we can be best prepared, but at the same time you can be recovered and hopefully as soon as possible."The whole season he needs to be managed. He came back from the Six Nations with that problem, and it's just the same one that's flared up now."Our medical team is on it and they're trying to find solutions to make sure he's back as soon as possible."The Lions play their first warm-up match against Argentina in Dublin on 20 June before departing for Australia and Smith played down fears Jones' participation could be in doubt."Yes, I definitely think so," Smith said when asked if Jones will be available for the tour."I hope we will have him back sooner. Let's see what the medical side of things say. All the anti-inflammatory treatment helps to get him back onto the pitch as soon as possible."
