Weekend Update

Rennie sees positives despite defeat

Glasgow Warriors took to the field for the first time since May’s Guinness PRO14 Final on Saturday, as Dave Rennie’s men travelled to Belfast to take on Ulster at the Kingspan Stadium. Despite leading st the break, the visitors fell to a disappointing defeat in their pre-season opener, yet the Warriors boss was able to see the positives despite the scoreline.

A first outing for our new kit and badge today ? pic.twitter.com/Fb8wa6uemV
— Glasgow Warriors (@GlasgowWarriors) September 7, 2019

Our 32-man squad has arrived at The Kingspan Stadium with less than one hour to go until kick-off. pic.twitter.com/eB5KVjONLa
— Glasgow Warriors (@GlasgowWarriors) September 7, 2019

It’s all over in Belfast and Ulster win the first of two pre-season games. They’ll travel to Scotstoun next Saturday. pic.twitter.com/YiErKYa5Cd
— Glasgow Warriors (@GlasgowWarriors) September 7, 2019

REPORT | Glasgow Warriors fell to defeat in their opening pre-season encounter in Belfast this afternoon, as Ulster emerged victorious at the Kingspan Stadium.https://t.co/v6Nh3FgCAf
— Glasgow Warriors (@GlasgowWarriors) September 7, 2019

REACTION | “We got a bit of a lesson in the second half, but we had a lot of young men on the field that deserved their opportunity. They’ve worked hard in pre-season and will learn a lot from today.”

? https://t.co/vGWNcpV8Gm pic.twitter.com/BYkUcQlic6
— Glasgow Warriors (@GlasgowWarriors) September 7, 2019

Onto next week with the backing of the Warrior Nation
— Andy Render (@AndyR1705) September 7, 2019

Well done again Johnathan Matthews starting tomorrows game for Glasgow Warriors taking on Ulster Rugby Official at the Kingspan Stadium.

We look forward to hearing all about it. https://t.co/AFzVXpk7ha
— Boroughmuir Rugby (@BmuirSports) September 6, 2019

Massive congrats to @Geo64 who makes his debut for @GlasgowWarriors ?

Well deserved mate ??? https://t.co/RU2whWBzpr
— Billy Clark (@BillyClark81) September 7, 2019

IN PICS | Click here https://t.co/bGtMCTY5af for the @dicksondigital gallery from Ulster’s pre-season friendly against @GlasgowWarriors @KingspanStadium on Saturday. The two sides will do it all again in round 2 at Scotstoun this Saturday. #SUFTUM pic.twitter.com/siJDSJjIsX
— Ulster Rugby (@UlsterRugby) September 8, 2019

Thank you to everyone who came to support us in Belfast this afternoon – see you at Scotstoun next Saturday! pic.twitter.com/0Wn6dsXsvs
— Glasgow Warriors (@GlasgowWarriors) September 7, 2019

Wilson leads Scotland to victory

There were better fortunes for the club’s Scotland contingent on Friday night, as the men in blue signed off on their Rugby World Cup preparations with a comfortable 36-9 victory over Georgia at BT Murrayfield. Ryan Wilson captained his country for the first time, whilst Ali Price, Sam Johnson and both Horne brothers crossed the whitewash.

FULL-TIME | An action-packed second half reaches it’s conclusion as Scotland record an emphatic victory over Georgia!#AsOne pic.twitter.com/KFWUvq1yel
— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) September 6, 2019

An emphatic win for Scotland against Georgia at BT Murrayfield this evening! Pete Horne, George Horne, Sam Johnson & Ali Price all scored tries. Hastings kicked two conversions and George Horne kicked one ? https://t.co/YR8pk9pZFJ
— Glasgow Warriors (@GlasgowWarriors) September 6, 2019

? A Captain brings his team together after a home win #AsOne pic.twitter.com/gIxXjHsMdk
— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) September 6, 2019

? Ali Price caps off a sensational counter attack!

Scotland lead 5-0 ??????? pic.twitter.com/LRe8cdjzkQ
— Premier Sports ? (@PremierSportsTV) September 6, 2019

49′ | Try Scotland! The home side come out fighting and it’s centre Sam Johnson who scores his third try for Scotland!

? Follow all the action as it happens at our live match centre at https://t.co/Y8iPtXjnpx pic.twitter.com/w9i9qUtdCb
— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) September 6, 2019

“Ryan is invaluable to the squad, he’ll say the right thing at the right time which will suit him well in the captaincy”

??????? @LeeJones11 on @ryanwilson89 captaining the Scottish side this evening pic.twitter.com/BTkMIXpWHh
— Premier Sports ? (@PremierSportsTV) September 6, 2019

A good night at BT Murrayfield with the @PremierSportsTV team

Hope the injured boys come through ok and all the best to @Scotlandteam in Japan! https://t.co/9I2YILP7yy
— Lee Jones (@LeeJones11) September 7, 2019

Incredibly proud day getting the chance to captain my country! Thank you so much to everyone for the messages of support. A day I’ll never forget! ??????? #asone @scotlandteam pic.twitter.com/5muYACTBYO
— ryan wilson (@ryanwilson89) September 7, 2019

What an amazing atmosphere last night. Great way to cap off before we head to Japan. So excited to get out there ?? pic.twitter.com/YYsH2ohjnS
— Scott Cummings (@scottcummings96) September 7, 2019

Good luck @Scotlandteam @grantstewart8 @scottcummings96 @ZanderFagerson @george_horne10 v Georgia pic.twitter.com/LQDkk3wjjF
— Glasgow Hawks (@GlasgowHawks1) September 4, 2019

As for the rugby, Scotland were in a tight game due to it not clicking, granted against a side they should be beating. But had the belief in their ability to turn the screw and show a bit of class to win the game easily. Roll on Japan
— Rory Hamilton (@HamiltonRory) September 6, 2019

Tough for Tonga

It was a difficult day at the office for Siua Halanukonuka on Saturday, however; the tighthead prop was part of the Tonga side that were swept aside by New Zealand in their final Rugby World Cup warm-up match, starting the match for Toutai Kefu’s side.

The last stop off before Japan has arrived… the All Blacks.

Here is your Ikale Tahi team to face New Zealand.

Young hooker Siua Maile has been named to make his international debut while fly half Kurt Morath returns to playmaking duties.
Go Tonga! #teamtonga #teketonga pic.twitter.com/bjbMCzsSQ5
— Tonga Rugby Union (@officialTongaRU) September 4, 2019

DTH ready for RWC

Canada’s final World Cup warm-up also ended in defeat, as they were edged out 20-15 by the USA in Vancouver on Saturday. For DTH van der Merwe, the fixture marked the end of a busy week in camp for the winger, including some friendly pressure from a former team-mate…

Honoured to receive my final RWC Canada Blazer last night! Thank you to Al Charron for the kind words and to all the other @rugbycanada 4 Rugby World Cup alumni’s who also sent on their best wishes. https://t.co/JVTQ5ju38R
— DTH van der Merwe (@DTHVDM) September 6, 2019

Thank you to pocofirecharitablesociety and jasonalanmarshall for giving us @rugbycanada the tour and opportunity to cut open some cars earlier this week! It’s great to stay engaged with the community and seeing a… https://t.co/YUEpOzdks4
— DTH van der Merwe (@DTHVDM) September 6, 2019

Fantastic night of International Rugby at BC Place – thank you to the 11,000+ fans that joined us to support ⁦@RugbyCanada⁩ and ⁦@USARugby⁩ do battle ahead of the upcoming ⁦@rugbyworldcup⁩!
????? pic.twitter.com/UY2VM28nrV
— BC Place (@bcplace) September 8, 2019

FULL TIME: An all out fight until the very end but @USARugby walk away with it. Peter Nelson ending with a try, convert, and a penalty ?? #RugbyCA #RC15s @DHLRugby pic.twitter.com/vcBO9ptEhi
— Rugby Canada (@RugbyCanada) September 8, 2019

SHOULD @DTHVDM DYE HIS HAIR BLONDE AGAIN FOR THE @rugbyworldcup ?!
— Phil Mackenzie (@Phil_Mackenzie1) September 5, 2019

Award nod for Niua

There was big news for former Warrior Folau Niua at the end of last week – the USA 7s star and Olympian was one of three players shortlisted for the prestigious World Rugby Men’s Sevens Player of the Year award.

Three incredibly talented players have been nominated for this year’s World Rugby Men’s Sevens Player of the Year 2019 award in association with HSBC #WorldRugbyAwards pic.twitter.com/3FKd7ICqIc
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) September 5, 2019

Three stars Stephen Tomasin , Folau Niua (@usarugby) and Jerry Tuwai (@fijirugbyunion) have been nominated for the World Rugby Men’s Sevens Player of the Year 2019 in association with HSBC. Who gets your pick? #WorldRugbyAwards pic.twitter.com/wPfJBEuM8M
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) September 6, 2019

?? Huge congratulations to @USARugby‘s @STomasin09 & Folau Niua! #RANRugby https://t.co/gz4yRRF51i
— RugbyAmericasNorth (@RugbyAmericasN) September 5, 2019

My Brothers! Just wanted to express how proud I am of you two! You represent @USARugby so well, the nomination is soooo very well deserved! ?? @STomasin09 & LaoLao https://t.co/2kIhY4KJm4
— Todd Clever (@ToddsClever) September 5, 2019

Gregor pitches in

Finally for this week, a massive congratulations to Scotland head coach – and former Glasgow Warriors boss – Gregor Townsend, who completed his golfing challenge for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation yesterday.

Off we go! pic.twitter.com/tpnWUjwcyg
— Gregor Townsend (@gregortownsend) September 8, 2019

Torwoodlee action. Check oor Toony holding the pose !!@TorwoodleeGolf. Big thanks to sponsors @MABCentral pic.twitter.com/IpKnZNpOUL
— Doddie Weir (@DoddieWeir5) September 8, 2019

A really enjoyable day and amazing to see the support for ⁦@MNDoddie5⁩. Thanks to ⁦@StBoswellsGC⁩ and ⁦@buccleucharms⁩ for a great finish pic.twitter.com/l5PR7euCsV
— Gregor Townsend (@gregortownsend) September 8, 2019

A busy day for @gregortownsend raising money and awareness for @MNDoddie5 before leaving for Japan. Great work Gregor ? https://t.co/WZpjDrOYOf
— Glasgow Warriors (@GlasgowWarriors) September 8, 2019