‘Dad strength’ fuelling McBeth for 2023/24

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - SEPTEMBER 30: Nathan McBeth in action for Warriors during a pre-season friendly between Glasgow Warriors and Zebre Parma at Scotstoun Stadium, on September 30, 2023, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)

The arrival of baby Noah a fortnight ago means that the prop and wife Kyla have been happily adjusting to life as a family of three in amongst the ongoing pre-season preparations, with McBeth ready to unleash his newest power on the BKT United Rugby Championship and Investec Champions Cup this season.

“I can feel my dad strength kicking in already!” laughed the loose-head.

“I was really honoured to be representing my family when I ran out on Saturday night [against Zebre Parma]. To be doing it for baby Noah for the first time, as well as Kyla, was such an amazing feeling and a big blessing.”

A 33-29 victory over the club’s Scottish-Italian Shield rivals saw the Warriors kick off their pre-season account in the ideal fashion, Franco Smith’s men running in five tries in front of the Scotstoun faithful.

The youthful make-up of Glasgow’s matchday squad meant that McBeth found himself in the unusual position of being one of the more experienced members of the selected group, a role to which the loose-head enjoyed becoming accustomed.

“There was a lot of buy-in from everyone in the squad ahead of Saturday, and I think you could really see that,” said McBeth.

“Everyone was pulling towards the same goal, because we want to put down a marker from the first kick-off. The guys that were getting their first chance to represent the jersey and the club, too – you could see that they wanted to do their bit for this group and to put their hand up for selection.

“To play rugby again [after the long summer break] – that’s the best part of everything. We get paid to go out there and give everything for this jersey, and to go out and be on the field and represent this club is an absolute privilege.”

Another stern test awaits the Warriors this weekend, as a trip to Cavan’s Kingspan Breffni and a clash with Ulster awaits.

Whilst the match – the first rugby match to be played at Cavan’s GAA venue – provides another step on the road to the start of the 2023/24 campaign, for McBeth and company the focus is firmly on the here and now.

“We’re just focusing on ourselves again this week, really,” said the prop.

“We want to keep growing and strengthening as a unit, and we just want to get out there and put everything we’ve been working on into practice on Saturday.

“Ulster will give us another strong test, but we just want to put our best foot forward and put in the best performance we can.

“For me, I just want to keep playing and to stay in the team. I want to represent this club week in, week out, so the best way to do that is to keep working hard and keep on giving my all every time I’m selected.”