Horne relishing Scotstoun return

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - MARCH 18: George Horne during a Glasgow Warriors training session at Scotstoun Stadium, on March 18, 2024, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)

The scrum-half, who was involved in the matchday 23 for all five of Scotland’s matches in the recent Guinness Six Nations, is targeting a first appearance in front of the Warrior Nation since January’s victory over Toulon as he looks to help his side keep pace at the top of a hotly-contested league table.

“It’s really exciting to be back,” Horne told glasgowwarriors.org.

“It’s been a while since we’ve played at Scotstoun, and for me personally it’s been the best part of a couple of months since I’ve had the chance to run out in front of our fans here.

“We’re all raring to go and ready to get stuck in this weekend.”

Despite Friday’s visitors currently occupying 12^th position in the overall standings, Horne and co are all too aware of the threats posed by Cardiff when the whistle blows.

With established talents such as Josh Turnbull and Rey Lee-Lo mixing with promising talents including Alex Mann and Cameron Winnett, the Warriors know that there can be no drop-off from the standards that the club have set themselves.

“We know that Cardiff also love to try and throw the ball around,” said Horne.

“They’re a team that will compete for everything – the breakdown area especially will be a key focus as we know that’s an area where they win a lot of turnover ball.

“We’re going to need to be at our best if we want to get the right result, but everyone can’t wait to be back out there after a great win out in Treviso last time out.”

That victory over Benetton three weeks ago not only strengthened Glasgow’s position in the top four, but also shone a spotlight firmly on the depth the Warriors can now call upon across the course of each season.

Standout performances across the board have seen competition for places intensify, something that Horne believes can only serve the club well in both the short and long-term.

“So many guys have stepped up and made massive strides forwards this season, which is such a great thing from our squad depth point of view,” said the scrum-half.

“You’ve seen that with guys like Alex [Samuel], Max [Williamson] and Fez [Euan Ferrie] getting invited in to train with Scotland, and we must have used somewhere around 40-45 players already this season, with everyone earning their opportunity.

“It’s a real credit to the squad depth and rotation the coaches have put in place, and whenever you get the chance to pull on a Glasgow jersey you know you’re expected to fill it well and give your all for the guys around you. It’s a testament, too, to how hard all the boys have worked and it’s brilliant to see guys doing so well this season.”

With Glasgow’s international contingent now beginning to re-integrate into life at Scotstoun and targeting the run to the playoffs, too, the atmosphere at Scotstoun is one of tangible energy as the build-up to Friday night continues.

As the clash with Cardiff continues to come into view, it’s an atmosphere and an environment that Horne is thoroughly relishing.

“It’s been great having a lot of the boys out in Scotland camp – it’s a reflection of what we’ve been building here and the form everyone has been in this season,” he said.

“It’s a privilege to be able to pull on that Scotland jersey, but it’s also great to know that we’re all going to be coming back ready to give everything for this club over the final 14 weeks of the season.

“That starts this Friday night and we’re ready to go.”