Kennedy delighted as Glasgow get first away win

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - OCTOBER 24: Sean Kennedy during a Glasgow Warriors training session at Scotstoun Stadium, on October 24, 2023, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)

To secure all five points with the final play of the match and go joint top of the table in the process? That just makes it even sweeter.

Yet Sean Kennedy and his fellow Warriors are in no way getting carried away with yesterday’s 31-23 victory over the Ospreys in Swansea, instead focusing on how the result can set up the rest of the 2023/24 BKT United Rugby Championship campaign.

“It’s massive for the season,” the scrum-half told glasgowwarriors.org.

“To get our first away win against a tough Ospreys side keeps our momentum going after a good win against the Stormers, and it gives us a proper platform on which to build ahead of next weekend too. We’re definitely happy with that.

“We said afterwards that we found a way to grind out the win, and that bonus-point at the end is massive for us. Bonus points generally are so important through the season, but to get one on the road with Delly [Allan Dell] going over at the end is huge.

“We didn’t play our best rugby but we stuck in, and the forwards properly did the job for us at the maul. The pack was excellent, and ‘the old da’ Duncy [Duncan Weir] at 10 drove the bus for us brilliantly.”

Introduced at half-time after an injury to Jamie Dobie, Kennedy’s first outing of the season was perhaps a longer one than anticipated, as the scrum-half helped to steer his side to victory in the second stanza.

The man himself was in no way fazed by the task at hand, however, highlighting the preparations that go on behind the scenes each week for just such an eventuality.

“The way we train, you’re always ready,” explained Kennedy.

“If you’re playing that week, you’re going into the game knowing that you’ve covered everything you need to cover.

“I’m always comfortable going into each matchday no matter what, and that’s testament to the coaching team, the S&C team and everyone behind the scenes. It’s never ideal going into a game because someone else has had to come off after getting hurt, but I knew throughout half time that I was going on so I was able to get myself ready mentally and physically.”

Franco Smith’s men will now look to make it three wins on the bounce next Saturday night, as Scottish-Italian Shield rivals Benetton – the only unbeaten team remaining in the 2023/24 BKT URC – arrive at Scotstoun for the first meeting of the season between the two sides.

It’s a clash that Kennedy is already relishing, in what promises to be a highly competitive affair under the Scotstoun floodlights.

“Home games are so important for us, and we love playing at Scotstoun,” said the scrum-half.

“Benetton are going really well at the moment – they’ve got a great squad and they’re in great form as it stands, so we know they’ll be tough.

“We’ve got the advantage being at home, though, and the Warrior Nation will do their bit for us as they always do. I can’t wait.”