PETER WRIGHT last night paid tribute to Glasgow for giving Scottish rugby its pride back.
The former Lions star insists the Pro12 achievements of Gregor Townsend’s side have shifted the dark clouds hanging over our game after a dismal Six Nations campaign.
As the BBC Scotland pundit prepares to head to Dublin for Saturday’s final against Leinster, Wright believes the Warriors have provided a shining light for a brighter future based on homegrown talent.
He said: “Glasgow’s achievements have given the whole of Scottish rugby a much-needed shot in the arm.
“The Scottish public hasn’t had that lift it usually gets by winning a couple of Six Nations games so Glasgow have stepped in to provide a feelgood factor.
“It has taken away the doom and gloom from the national side.
“What makes it all the more encouraging is that the core of the Warriors squad is Scottish – boys such as Alex Dunbar, Finn Russell, Chris Cusiter, Gordon Reid, Al Kellock and Ryan Wilson.
“Then you have the Scottish coaches in Gregor, Shade Munro and Matt Taylor who may be Australian but has Scottish ancestors and played for Scotland.
“It’s proof we don’t need to flood our game with foreigners to have a bit of success. Just look at our national side, the voices of players and coaches range from Australian, Irish and Welsh to even Italian. So we have tried the foreign route and it hasn’t really worked.
“Glasgow have taken the Scottish route and it has worked well.
“They are a dominating teams which is something Scottish sides have lacked in the past.â€
Pat MacArthur reckons Pro12 Final will be as big a deal as winning first Scotland capÂ
Warriors will be the first Scottish team to contest the final after several failures to get past the last four.
History is firmly on Leinster’s side on home soil at the RDS but Wright is convinced Glasgow’s success over Munster in the semis will provide a massive psychological boost.
He said: “It was a coming-of-age moment. They learned how to get past that last hurdle.
“They will take massive confidence from that going into this weekend. The Warriors possibly played more attractive rugby last season but they have learned how to win ugly.
“They’ve had more victories than anybody else in the Pro12 but have let themselves down a bit with the bonus points. To win 18 games out of 22 has been a fantastic season.â€
Irish legend Brian O’Driscoll takes his final bow on Saturday but Wright is adamant Glasgow have what it takes to ruin his big day, no matter which side Townsend picks.
He said: “I’ve given up trying to second-guess what Gregor’s going to do. He has changed his stand-off nine times in a row. Gregor has chopped and changed and that’s unique for this stage of the season.
“He’s fortunate to have a lot of talent in his squad and there are plenty of guys at the top of their form.
“There is a great culture at Glasgow where the players just get on with it and it shows Gregor’s man-management
has been good.
“Ospreys beat Leinster in the final in Dublin a few years ago so an away side has won there. This game will be won in the contact area and at set-pieces.
“We have the two best defensive sides in the league and there won’t be much rugby played.
“It’s going to be a brutal contest with both sides smashing each other to death. The team which has the most players standing will probably win.
“Glasgow will also need to deal with a Leinster side being pumped up for O’Driscoll’s last game.
“They will want to spoil the party. I believe they are capable of doing thatâ€
As well as having home advantage, Leinster are defending champions but supremo Matt O’Connor launched the mind games last night by insisting his side will be underdogs
He said: “I have said a few times that Glasgow have been the best side in the league since Christmas. We are going to have to perform really well across the board to contain them.â€
Article source: http://www.express.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/477487/Brown-injury-boost-for-England
Former British Lions hero Peter Wright praises Glasgow Warriors for giving ...
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