Horne ready for Munster challenge

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - APRIL 20: George Horne during a Glasgow Warriors Children's Hospital charity presentation at Scotstoun Stadium, on April 20, 2023, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group)

The scrum-half was integral to his side’s 35-17 win over the Scarlets to secure a place in the EPCR Challenge Cup Final, but insists that there is still more to come from those in black ahead of this weekend’s showdown under the Scotstoun floodlights.

“It was a great result, but we also know that there are still plenty of areas for us to work on going into this weekend,” Horne told glasgowwarriors.org.

“We struggled to get out of our half cleanly in that first half an hour, and the Scarlets put us under a lot of pressure at the breakdown.

“We need to tidy those areas up, because we know Munster will bring a lot of similar threats to Scotstoun on Saturday. We want to make sure we’re the best version of ourselves that we can be.”

Franco Smith’s men will need no introduction to Saturday’s opponents, with an impressive back catalogue of knockout matches between Glasgow Warriors and Munster already being relived by the Warrior Nation.

Having been a part of the team that claimed a first win at Thomond Park since 2014 earlier this season, Horne knows full well the scale of the challenge presented by the Irish province.

“It’s always incredibly physical when we play Munster, but they’ve also added a different dynamic to their game this year.,” said the scrum-half.

“They play a really nice attacking shape and have some really dangerous runners with ball in hand, and their set-piece has always been one of their strengths.

“They’re a team that knows how to play playoff rugby, too, so we know they’re going to bring a huge test on Saturday night.”

Yet as seen in Llanelli last weekend, the Warriors themselves are in playoff mode. With them every step of the way, too, will be the Warrior Nation – something that Horne believes could prove to be crucial when the whistle blows on Saturday night.

“These games are why we all love to play rugby,” he said.

“There’s no next week if you get beaten now – if you lose, you’re out of the URC. We’re all buzzing for the challenge and to play in front of our home supporters, because we know this place is going to be bouncing on Saturday.

“Playing at home is so special. When the Warrior Nation pack out this place, it’s an unbelievable atmosphere. It makes such a huge difference, too – having the support behind you in those key moments can make all the difference.”

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