Smith highlights positives despite opening day defeat

BKT United Rugby Championship, Kingspan Stadium, Belfast 21/9/2024 Ulster vs Glasgow Warriors Glasgow Warriors’ head coach Franco Smith Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne

An 87^th minute score from Ulster replacement Dave Shanahan may have denied the Warriors an opening round victory with the final play of the game, but Smith insists that the manner of his side’s performance indicates that the defending champions are well on track for another highly competitive campaign.

“We’re disappointed with the result, but overall we’re pleased with the way we went about our business,” Smith told glasgowwarriors.org following the full-time whistle.

“I can’t fault the effort of the players tonight for a moment. We had 14 players getting their first minutes of the 2024/25 season having not played the pre-season – we’ve always said that the first two or three games still form part of that pre-season programme for us, but the way the boys applied themselves against a very well-organised Ulster team was very pleasing.

“Ulster in Belfast have a hugely proud record, and they will have been identifying this match as their target since we lifted the trophy in Pretoria. To have been in a position to win it and then lose it in that way after seven minutes of injury time and a massive defensive effort is disappointing, but we will work hard to put things right ahead of next week.

“If we must lose any games this season, then that is the way we want to lose – the boys gave everything in defence.”

Defence was far from the only aspect of the match in which Glasgow’s intensity was noted, as a highly physical display saw the Warriors take the game to their hosts across the board in the Northern Irish capital.

“The first objective was to be competitive in the set-piece, and I thought we were more than competitive – our scrum and lineout functioned excellently for the most part,” said Smith.

“The defensive process also worked very well against real opposition, which is obviously always a totally different scenario than training against ourselves.

“Our application of our physical development programme was evident through our strength in contact and recovery after our anaerobic work, so we’ve hit a lot of our targets that we set.

“To have that kind of test in round one will stand us in good stead, as that level of defensive effort is something you’d be accustomed to in a final.”

The opening match of the new campaign also brought up a host of milestone moments, including a 150^th outing in a Glasgow Warriors jersey for Zander Fagerson – just the 15^th player to reach the milestone – and a club debut for fellow tight-head Sam Talakai.

Smith was one of many to take a moment to acknowledge the achievements following the full-time whistle, before turning attentions to next weekend’s home opener as Benetton visit Scotstoun under the Friday night lights.

“It’s a proud moment for Zander,” said Smith.

“To play 150 games for your club is a huge achievement. It shows that he’s a heart-and-soul Glasgow Warrior, who believes in our values and the way things are done here, and for him to be able to celebrate that accolade with his family tonight is very special.

“I also thought Sam showed up well on his debut – he’s come in and hit the ground running since arriving at Scotstoun, and there’s plenty more to come from him in a Glasgow shirt.

“It was great to welcome Adam [Hastings] back, too – we know it’ll take him a bit of time to embed himself fully back into our environment after coming back, but I thought he was very good when he came on and we know the qualities that he will only bring even more of as he settles back into life at Scotstoun.

“I also want to mention Josh McKay for reaching his 50^th match for us – you can see how much he buys into our culture and our club by the way he plays, and we’re proud for him to have reached that milestone tonight.

“We have always said that to be a great team you must first be a great squad, and the experience and quality that we possess across the field will be so important – the URC is a truly competitive competition, and Benetton will be another tough challenge next weekend that we will need to be at our best to meet.”

Only 5 days to go to see your champions return to Scotstoun in Round 2 of the BKT URC!

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— Glasgow Warriors (@GlasgowWarriors) September 22, 2024