Glasgow Warriors reaction: Franco Smith seeks cure for lethargy as Benetton do them a favour
Three defeats in a row but they remain in contention
Rest and recuperation and the return of some of their most influential players are the ingredients needed to revive Glasgow Warriors according to Franco Smith as he plots the final few weeks of the season.
His team were knocked off top spot in the United Rugby Championship on Saturday when they lost 48-12 to the Stormers in Cape Town. But they clung on to second place after Leinster suffered a shock defeat at the hands of Benetton later that evening.
It’s all to play for with two rounds remaining of the regular season as the sides vie for home advantage in the play-offs.
The Stormers are now top of the log on 55 points, one clear of Glasgow. Then come the Lions and Leinster on 53, Munster on 51, Cardiff on 50, the Bulls on 49 and Ulster on 47. Connacht are outside the all-important top eight on 44 points but could still force their way in.
There are no URC games this week, with the Investec Champions Cup semi-finals taking centre stage. Glasgow return on May 8 with a home game against Cardiff then travel to Belfast to play Ulster a week later.
These are worrying times for the Warriors who have now lost three games in a row, the back-to-back defeats in South Africa to the Lions and Stormers following on from the Champions Cup quarter-final exit at the hands of Toulon. Smith has identified areas where they need to be better but the coach knows the absence of players of the quality of George Horne, Rory Darge and Scott Cummings has hurt them.
Fresh legs will be bring new energy
“I think we're a little bit lethargic,” he said. “I think it comes down to a lot of rugby played. A little bit of rest and getting back to our normal environment is going to be important.
“Then obviously on the pitch, I think our reaction to the ball carrier is slow at the moment. We lose the last 30 centimetres in contact from a defence and attack perspective.
“And with our set-piece, because we are on tour, you can't risk injuries during training sessions and practices. So we couldn't really practise what we wanted because if you lose a player, we only have the two locks available at the moment. I know there's some refreshments coming in during the next week in that department.
“And some fresh legs with George Horne, Jamie Dobie, Matt Fagerson, Rory Darge, Scott Cummings, Gregor Brown, to name but a few. Some of the boys that will bring some new energy to it. I think it goes without saying that the boys will be on it now to make sure that we don't slip again.”
There’s no denying how important home advantage is to the Warriors and if they can finish in the top four they will at least have a quarter-final at Scotstoun. After that it gets interesting. A top-two finish would give them the right to also host the semi but Scotstoun would be out of action by then as it is readied for the Commonwealth Games.
Murrayfield would be the likely venue if a home semi is what transpires but the stadium would not be available for the final should Glasgow qualify and have top seeding because there are concerts taking place. The way things are going, it may not be an issue.
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