Latest news with #Scotstoun
Scotsman
a day ago
- Business
- Scotsman
Inside Henco Venter's Glasgow Warriors exit and a special Scotstoun moment
Cult hero is swapping Scotland for France with a heavy heart 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... It's hard to think of an overseas player who has become so popular so quickly in Scotland as Henco Venter. Glasgow Warriors supporters have taken the South African forward to their hearts and serenaded him on Friday night in what turned out to be his Scotstoun swan-song. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It was a moving experience for Venter as he came off in the 72nd minute of the victory over the Stormers which kept his team's bid to win the United Rugby Championship for the second year in a row very much alive. Departing Glasgow Warriors forward Henco Venter is a hugely popular figure with the club's supporters. | SNS Group No club has done that before but Glasgow are now through to the semi-finals, thanks in no small measure to another outstanding performance from their No 8 and cult hero, who scored a try in the 36-18 victory. Alas, a parting of the ways is imminent. Venter is off to France next season to play in the second-tier ProD2. It was announced in March that he would be joining Brive and the news of his departure was a source of regret for Franco Smith as well as the club's fans. The Glasgow Warriors coach wanted him to stay and while he acknowledged that the player had received a very good offer from Brive, 'other factors came into play'. The chief one being 'a movement in the direction of having less foreigners' in Scottish rugby. Venter, who arrived in Glasgow from the Sharks in summer 2023 and has played 35 times for the club, hopes he has two more games left. The Warriors travel to Dublin to take on Leinster in the URC semis on Saturday and the final is scheduled for the following weekend. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad He wanted to remain at Glasgow but accepts there is a desire within Murrayfield to try to bring through more homegrown talent. Venter will be joined out the exit door by compatriot JP du Preez and Argentinian winger Sebastian Cancelliere. The appointment by Scottish Rugby last August of performance director David Nucifora was designed 'to provide a roadmap for its next decade of player development'. Being South African and 33, Venter isn't perhaps a poster boy for Nucifora's brave new world - but his contribution to Glasgow's success shouldn't be underestimated. He played a big part in last season's stunning URC triumph and has also been credited by Smith with an important role in helping bring through young Warriors players like Jack Mann and Euan Ferrie. He has also been a vital team cog during international windows when Glasgow have been without their large Scotland contingent. For Venter, it will be tough to leave. Henco Venter poses with the URC trophy after Glasgow's win over the Bulls in the final at Loftus Versfeld. | SNS Group 'With Scotland taking the route, as you all know, of less foreign players I wanted to stay but they all made their rules to make Scotland directly better - I respect it,' he said. 'It's one of those things, it's rugby. You just go to the next thing, stuff happens and you just keep going forward and make yourself better.' No-one could blame Venter for looking elsewhere when no offer of a new Glasgow contract was forthcoming but circumstances seemed to have worked against the player. The focus was on negotiating new deals for the club's frontline Scotland players such as Sione Tuipulotu, George Horne, Zander and Matt Fagerson, Kyle Steyn and Stafford McDowall, whose value had increased on the back of their URC success. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Approaching the final months of his contract, Venter would have been understandably concerned about his future and the offer from Brive was undeniably attractive. Nevertheless, he will leave Glasgow with a heavy heart. The reception he received from the home support on Friday had a profound effect on him, all the more so because so many of his family and friends were either at Scotstoun or watching back home in South Africa. 'You'd never think that would happen,' Venter said of the ovation he received as the supporters sang his name. 'I actually didn't know what to do. It was special, very special. I appreciate it a lot. I didn't expect it and to receive something like that is one of the highlights of my career. Henco Venter, with ball, scores Glasgow Warriors' third try during the URC quarter-final win over the Stormers at Scotstoun as Kyle Steyn celebrates. | SNS Group 'My [immediate] family was here [at Scotstoun] and it was televised in South Africa so my whole family saw it. All the people living on our street were also here, all our neighbours.' Venter's imminent departure also means he is splitting again from Smith, his coach and long-time mentor. The pair had success together in South Africa before lifting silverware with Glasgow Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'It's the second time that we've parted ways and it's not easier than the first time,' said Venter. 'Luckily we're not done. There's another game to go and then if we're successful, there's another one.' The game against the Stormers was Venter's first since returning from a six-game suspension for making contact with the eye of England prop Dan Cole during the win over Leicester in the Champions Cup in early April. It means he missed both of Glasgow's recent defeats by Leinster, the 52-0 hammering in Europe and the narrow 13-5 loss in the URC. If they are to prolong their season beyond this weekend they are going to have to find a way to win in Dublin. It's not been a happy place for Glasgow but Venter feels the Warriors are rediscovering their form and if they can match their hosts' formidable physicality they can progress to the final once again. 'Teams go through a bit of a dip here and there but I think after the weekend everyone's dialled in and everyone's ready to go again,' he said. 'We are prepared to sacrifice everything to win. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad
STV News
2 days ago
- Sport
- STV News
Henco Venter disappointed to be leaving Glasgow due to Scottish Rugby strategy
Henco Venter expressed disappointment over his impending Glasgow exit after becoming one of the first victims of Scottish Rugby's drive to reduce the number of non-Scottish-qualified players affiliated to the country's two professional clubs. It was announced in March that the 33-year-old South African back-rower would be leaving Warriors this summer to join French second-tier side Brive. Venter, a fans' favourite at Scotstoun, had hoped to extend his two-year stint at the club, and head coach Franco Smith said in April he would have liked to have retained the forward. However, Scottish Rugby director of rugby David Nucifora is overseeing a shift in strategy to provide more opportunities for Scottish-qualified players to play for Glasgow and Edinburgh. Explaining his reasons for leaving at a press conference on Monday, Venter said: 'Oh, tricky question. It's from above and all the stuff going on in Scotland rugby with the foreigners. That's basically one of the main reasons. I love this place and I'd love to stay here.' Venter has had more than two months to get his head around the fact his Glasgow career will be over once their involvement in the United Rugby Championship play-offs is over this month, but he admits he was not expecting to be released. 'It's rugby, so there's always something and some challenge to overcome, some injury,' he said. 'So, yeah, it's bad and I didn't like it, but it's rugby. You don't take anything personally. 'You learn to accept stuff and just be better where you can be better and perform where you can perform and enjoy every moment. I'll enjoy this week and hopefully next week.' Venter insisted he 'respects' Scottish Rugby's change of policy with regard to foreign players. 'I understand that's their plan going forward and I respect it,' he said. 'I am not Scottish, so it's a privilege to be here and to give back to the club and to the country. 'If they make their plans, they have a will to make Scotland rugby better and I hope they succeed in it.' Venter was the toast of Scotstoun during and after Friday's URC quarter-final victory over Stormers as he scored a try and produced a magnificent display in his final home match for the Warriors. They now face Leinster in the semi-final at Aviva Stadium on Saturday, and the South African is braced for a formidable task as he bids to prolong his Glasgow career by one more week. When asked what it would require to win in Dublin, he said: 'Twenty-three dogs and 80 minutes of just everyone giving everything. 'They're a class outfit with world-class players and world-class coaching staff. But it's rugby. So if we do our stuff right, then we can do it. 'These games, this is what you play for. Big stakes, big crowd, everyone just ready to give everything.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
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
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Glasgow Warriors confirm eight players will leave in summer - including some key men
Warriors reveal their leavers list at the end of the season 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... Glasgow Warriors have announced that Sebastian Cancelliere will leave at the end of the season along with seven other players. The Argentina international has been a key contributor to the club's success during his four years in Scotland, most notably last season when he helped Franco Smith's side win the United Rugby Championship. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The 31-year-old is expected to return to Buenos Aires and has been linked with a move back to his former club, Hindu. However, he will still have a big role to play in the URC play-offs starting with Friday's home quarter-final against the Stormers. Warriors' Sebastian Cancelliere is one of eight players who will vacate Scotstoun. | SNS Group Also leaving Glasgow at the end of this campaign will be Tom Jordan, who has signed for Bristol Bears, Jack Mann, who is joining Gloucester, and Henco Venter, who is heading to France to play for Brive. In addition, lock JP du Preez, scrum-half Sean Kennedy and wings Facundo Cordero and Logan Totter will all be moving to pastures new. Head coach Smith paid tribute to the eight. 'We are always disappointed when the time comes to say goodbye to any player, and I would like to personally thank each and every one of our leavers for the contribution they have made to this club,' he said. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Massive' contribution 'Each player has contributed massively during their time at Scotstoun, not only through their efforts on the field but in their dedication to leaving the jersey in a better place for those to follow.'
Daily Mail
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Prince William's sassy response after royal fan makes comment about Kate Middleton's appearance during Glasgow visit
Prince William made a witty remark to the crowd on Thursday afternoon after a royal fan called Kate 'beautiful'. The Prince and Princess of Wales were at the the traditional naming ritual of HMS Glasgow at the BAE Systems' shipyard in Scotstoun, on the bank of the River Clyde. Kate, 43, officially named HMS Glasgow by smashing a bottle of local Scottish whisky against its hull. Keeping her look suitably nautical for the outing, the royal sported a navy and white £1,850 coat dress from British brand Suzannah London and a matching statement hat from Philip Treacy, first worn at Trooping the Colour in 2024. As the couple departed, one wellwisher from the crowd couldn't resist telling the princess, 'you're beautiful!' And in an effort not to leave her husband out, they added: 'You too, William!', in footage recorded by local news outlet Clyde News. Clearly amused by the surprise compliment, William, 42, quipped: 'You don't have to say that, don't worry!' The crowd then burst into laughter at his self-deprecating comment, as the couple bid goodbye after a busy afternoon. Earlier, stepping up onto a podium before a crowd of several hundred BAE employees, their families and the 45-strong ship's company, Kate uttered the time-honoured words: 'I have the pleasure to name this ship HMS Glasgow, may God bless her and all who sail on her'. The Princess then flicked up a small red 'launch' button to release a bottle of exclusive single malt whisky made by the nearby Clydeside Distillery. The ceremonial act is said to bring good luck and fortune to the vessel and its crew. The distillery opened its doors in 2017, the same year that the HMS Glasgow build began, marking what is considered the start of two modern icons of Glasgow's maritime heritage. Each bottle of the whisky sold will include a donation to HMS Glasgow's chosen charity, Place2Be, of which the Princess is patron, and which supports children's mental health in the city. The Princess was named sponsor of the 8,000-tonne warship, a state-of-the-art Type 26 anti-submarine frigate, in June 2021 and is said to hold 'a real interest' in the ship 'and in the lives of those who will serve onboard'. A year later, Kate met Royal Navy sailors from HMS Glasgow at Windsor Castle to hear about the ship's progress and their experiences in the Royal Navy. After today's naming ceremony, the couple stepped aboard to meet representatives from BAE Systems who have been leading the delivery of the vessel, as well as others from the Royal Navy to discuss the ship's unique capabilities. The Princess was congratulated on naming the ship and appeared relieved it had gone to plan. The Prince and Princess were then driven a short distance down the road to the BAE Systems' Shipbuilding Academy to meet apprentices and graduates. They heard about the shipbuilding and maritime training the students have received, including craft trades such as fabrication, electrical, sheet metal work, welding, and pipefitting – all of which contributed to the construction of HMS Glasgow. The couple's long held rivalry was once again put to the test as they were tasked with racing to complete a pipe building challenge, a STEM exercise used to teach secondary school pupils. Aided by second year pipe apprentices Natalie Black and Rory Hamilton, the couple got to work building their pipes while chatting. The Princess meets the Ship's company and their families at the official naming ceremony As the Princess swiftly began screwing her pipes together, Ms Black told her: 'You look like you've done this before,' prompting the Princess to tell her it was her experience playing with the childrens' toys. Prince William, who spent more time chatting than building, later claimed he had not realised it was a race. Deborah Lynch, an early careers and skills practitioner at BAE, declared the Princess the winner, only for her pipe construction to collapse, prompting much laughter. The Princess was then asked to screw in a wing nut to complete an inclinometer, the gadget traditionally fixed to a ship to measure its tilt, which will be put on display in the bridge. 'It's so beautifully made,' she said. 'I look forward to seeing that in place if I come back another day.' The Prince and Princess also met a cross-section of BAE Systems employees from different backgrounds, trades and skills involved in the building of the ship, and members of HMS Glasgow ship's company and their families. The Princess repeatedly described how impressed she was by the sheer scale of the ship, the number of people involved in the build and the technology on board. 'It's so exciting to see it all come together, all the technology is so impressive,' she marvelled. 'What's really interesting as well is seeing the international interest.' Keeping her look suitably nautical for the outing, the royal sported a navy and white £1,850 coat dress from British brand Suzannah London and a matching statement hat from Philip Treacy, first worn at Trooping the Colour in 2024 After the ceremony, William and Kate (pictured), known in Scotland as the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay, boarded the ship and met representatives from BAE Systems, which has led the delivery of the vessel, and others from the Royal Navy who discussed the ship's capabilities She admitted that she was still getting to grips with the naval language. 'I'm still learning all my naval lingo,' she told one woman. 'There are a lot of abbreviations that I don't fully understand. I've got a lot to learn.' The Princess told another employee: 'It's a really proud moment for the UK but particularly, Glasgow, because there's such international interest.' She met several children, parents and grandparents of employees, telling them it was so important for family members to come and see the work after 'so much time and effort had been invested' and to share the experience. 'It must be a very proud day for you, to see what your loved ones do on a day to day basis,' she told one grandmother. 'The technology is so advanced. Have you had a look around? I find it fascinating.' She told another family member that the 3D animations she had seen 'looked very James Bond' and another that she hoped the sunny weather would prove 'a good omen' for the ship. The Princess was introduced to Lt Simon Hartland RN and his son, Teddy, 11. 'Have you got any aspirations to be in the Navy?' she asked Teddy. 'I was just hearing, there are so many jobs that you can do. Have you started coding yet? The Princess told some employees that it must be 'great to be part of something so new and cutting edge.' The Prince of Wales and The Princess of Wales, Sponsor HMS Glasgow, attend the ship's naming ceremony at the BAE Systems' shipyard She added: 'Everyone's very excited about the gadgets on board, everyone's raving about them.' The Princess said: 'It's a very proud day for me to see all the hard work that's been going on behind the scenes.' Asking one young girl what she thought of HMS Glasgow, she said: 'She's pretty impressive. I'd seen a picture but I didn't realise she was going to be that big.' She told another employee: 'It's so special, when I saw her, I was like, 'wow'.' Before leaving, the Prince and Princess were given a bottle of the Clydeside Distillery whisky. The couple visited the distillery when they were in Scotland for Cop26 in 2021. The Prince joked that he thought it a shame that the whisky was wasted by smashing a bottle on the ship. Tim Morrison, the distillery founder, suggested they use a drop of cold tea instead, to much laughter. The Princess asked why whisky was used rather than champagne and was told it was because Elizabeth II had once christened a ship with whisky from Morrison Bowmore Distillers, which the Morrison family previously owned. The Princess also met the local jewellers who designed the brooch she wore for the occasion. James Porter & Son, established in 1858, is based in Glasgow's historic Argyll Arcade and is one of Scotland's oldest jewellers. Simon Porter said they had been asked to design a brooch based on HMS Glasgow's crest. 'It was an absolute honour to see her wearing it,' he said. 'Against a plain navy background it really stood out.' The brooch was funded by two London livery companies, the Worshipful Company of Fan Makers and the Worshipful Company of Merchant Taylors. The ship, the first of eight planned Type 26 frigates, is designed to provide protection to the UK's nuclear deterrent and aircraft carriers. It features advanced systems such as the Sea Ceptor anti-air missile system, a 5-inch naval gun, and the capability to carry both Wildcat and Merlin helicopters. The construction of the eight frigates has sustained 4,000 jobs across Scotland and the wider UK supply chain. On arrival at the shipyard, the Prince and Princess were met by Jacqueline McLaren, Lord Lieutenant of Glasgow, Sir Simon Lister, managing director, of BAE Systems Naval Ships and Commander Phil Burgess, senior naval officer on HMS Glasgow. 'It'a so great to see her, she's fantastic,' Kate said at first sight of the vessel. Cdr Burgess escorted the couple past a guard of honour made up of the ships company for a royal salute. A piper marked the start of the 25-minute ceremony before a P-8 Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft from 120 Squadron at RAF Lossiemouth performed a flypast. Sir Simon and Second Sealord Vice Admiral Sir Martin Connell, gave speeches. Sir Martin Connell thanked the Prince and Princess for their support in reaching the milestone. 'From the first ever HMS Glasgow, sailing under the Royal Navy flag at the end of the 17th Century to the ship we see here in the 21st Century, HMS Glasgow has evolved and adapted to meet the warfighting and operational demands of its day,' he said. 'Each metamorphosis saw shipbuilders adapting materials and designs so that crews could operate each successive HMS Glasgow on operations and in conflict and war. 'The result of this being 11 battle honours – HMS Glasgow's pedigree is awe inspiring.' He hailed the ship as 'a pure-bred Anti-Submarine Warfare platform, setting the standard for naval warfare', which was ready to 'meet the global and geopolitical challenges of today'. He continued: 'HMS Glasgow and her class represent the next chapter of naval innovation, safeguarding the UK's interests and contributing to national prosperity.' Sir Simon said the naming ceremony marked 'quite a moment' for Glasgow. 'There are many sons and daughters of this city here today and you should be proud to say you are helping Glasgow to flourish,' he said. 'HMS Glasgow is a reminder of the role ship building on the Clyde plays on the global stage', he added.
