British & Irish Lions lock Richie Gray looks certain to miss out on this year’s World Cup in Japan after he missed out on one of the last two places in Scotland’s pre-tournament training squad which were announced yesterday.
As they claimed their 10th major trophy in 11 years, their 12th in all, Leinster once again demonstrated on Saturday what makes them their organisation a shining example of how teams in the Celtic nations can maximise their competitiveness.
Glasgow Warriors co-captain Ryan Wilson believes the experience of the team’s reaction to its previous defeat to Leinster in a major final can provide the inspiration that can see them go one better next season.
On the face of it, Saturday’s defeat by Leinster at Celtic Park was the same old story for Glasgow Warriors as they fell short against one of European rugby’s powerhouses.
A fortnight after relinquishing their Champions Cup title, Leinster reasserted their dominance among the Celtic nations last night, but only after their technique and endurance were tested to the limit in an intense PRO14 Grand Final that was worthy of comparison with that previous battle against Saracens.
Leinster’s head coach Leo Cullen has apologised for his light-hearted call to Celtic supporting locals to back his team in today’s Pro14 Grand Final in Parkhead.
Their only previous meeting with Glasgow Warriors in a Grand Final was won easily by Leinster, but since then the Irish team’s respect for today’s opponents has grown and that is due in no small part to who is in charge.
A combined audience of around 100,000 is expected to witness two major finals in one of the biggest days of sport in Glasgow’s recent history, at least partly demonstrating the impact of professionalism on modern rugby’s spectator appeal.
Today’s Pro14 Grand Final has the potential to be crucial in Glasgow Warriors bid to prove to themselves that they are capable of competing at European level, but their head coach knows that will only be the case if they can get the right result.
Saturday’s Pro14 final between Glasgow Warriors and Leinster may be the first ever rugby union match staged at Celtic Park, but it will by no means the first time since a star of the 15-a-side football code has competed at the venue with close to a century having elapsed since it was graced by a visit from one of the Chariots of Fire.
