Hastings relishing Stormers challenge

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - APRIL 01: Adam Hastings during a Glasgow Warriors training session at Scotstoun Stadium, on April 01, 2025, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)

The two teams are familiar foes in knockout rugby, the Warriors having emerged 27-10 victors at the same stage in the 2023/24 campaign to kick-off the playoff run that ended with Franco Smith’s men being crowned champions in Pretoria last June.

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Yet Hastings is fully aware of the threat posed by the South African outfit, having started at fly-half in October’s free-flowing 28-17 victory in Stellenbosch.

“They’re a fast-paced team who have a lot of flair players throughout that back-line – they can cause you problems from anywhere,” he told glasgowwarriors.org.

“We know they’ll look to keep the ball alive with their off-loading game, so it’s important for us to shut that down.

“Set-piece is going to be massive for us, too. We know we need to nail our roles there and make sure we execute on first-phase. We’ve got some pretty electric backs that we want to get the ball to in some space, so that’s definitely been a focus for us as we sharpen up this week.”

Whilst he may not have been involved in the 2023/24 title triumph, Hastings believes this season’s playing group can draw upon the experience, as they look to continue their defence of the trophy.

“I watched last year’s knockout games on TV, and just the intensity the boys played at was something else,” said the fly-half.

“The emotion that was shown throughout the team was something you could really feel, and that’s something we want to re-create this year.

“There’s different focuses, but the boys are fired up for this home quarter-final.”

It will be Hastings’s first experience of the BKT URC playoffs since returning to Scotstoun after a three-year spell with Gloucester, and it’s a prospect that is already being relished by the fly-half.

The 28-year-old is also keenly aware of the difference the Scotstoun faithful can make, as he called on the Warrior Nation to make their presence felt under the Friday night lights.

“You play all year to make it to the knockout games, so to have a home quarter-final is amazing,” said Hastings.

“We love playing at Scotstoun as a team because we know the difference the supporters make, and to have another game here, with high-stakes knockout rugby – they’re the games you want to be involved in as a player. I can’t wait.

“I really hope the Warrior Nation bring lots of noise, too! We feel the energy every time we run out at Scotstoun, so if they can bring the noise and wave those flags, that’ll be great.