Thompson “champing at the bit” for Glasgow return

If this weekend’s BKT United Rugby Championship match is anything like the last time Glasgow Warriors faced the Cell C Sharks, then the Warrior Nation will be left with a smile on their faces come Saturday evening.

A bonus-point, 35-24 victory at Scotstoun last October remains the only time to date that the Warriors have faced their counterparts from Durban, with Ross Thompson opening the scoring with just a minute on the clock.

Fast forward a year, and the fly-half’s enthusiasm to get back out onto the field is evident even over a phone call.

“I’ve been champing at the bit to be honest,” Thompson told glasgowwarriors.org from Durban.

“It’s been good to get back out there and running about with a ball in my hand, and hopefully I’m able to put my hand up for selection either this week or next week against the Lions.

“We want to make it a successful mini-tour down here and for us, that means putting in performances we’re proud of and giving ourselves the best possible chance of getting two good results.”

Having recovered from off-season back surgery, the Scotland international made his return to competitive rugby in the pink and black of Ayrshire Bulls in the FOSROC Super6, featuring in wins over Heriots and Stirling Wolves over the last fortnight.

“It’s been good to get a hit-out over the last couple of weeks,” said Thompson.

“We’ve got a good system within Scottish Rugby where you’ve got the opportunity of game time in the FOSROC Super6, and if you’re not picked for the Glasgow 23 then you’ve still got the opportunity to play on the weekends.

“It’s been really good to be back – Ollie [Smith] has been getting back up to full fitness as well so it’s been good to link up with him over the last couple of weeks, too.”

These two fine gents will be at The Old Schoolhouse this Saturday – will you? 😃

Join us at our Official Fan Zone on Woodlands Road for our #BKTURC clash with the CellC Sharks and hear from Rory and Huw pre-match!

Come along for 2.15pm and help us cheer on the boys in Durban! pic.twitter.com/rHCoqpnCh3

— Glasgow Warriors (@GlasgowWarriors) October 13, 2022

For all he’s enjoyed his time with the Millbrae men, however, Thompson’s focus is clear, as he looks to contend with Tom Jordan and Domingo Miotti for game time this weekend.

Whilst competition for places is fierce, there’s a good energy around the playing group following last weekend’s victory over the Vodacom Bulls – a performance that Thompson and company are looking to use as fuel ahead of this weekend.

“The performance and the victory over the Bulls – it was such a great game to watch, and the atmosphere in the stadium was immense,” said Thompson.

“For us, now, the important thing is to go and back it up. We’ve got to show that we can play like that away from home, too.

“The Sharks have been going well so far this season – they had a really good first half against Leinster and then just fell away, but they’re a dangerous team. They’ve got some incredibly quick backs and a lot of power up front, so we know we need to be on top form again.

“It’s going to be a tough challenge, but it’s a challenge that everyone here is relishing. We can’t wait to get stuck in.”