THE SCOTSMAN REPORTS
Tribute to unbeaten Glasgow team as Warriors open against Munster



Published Date: 02 September 2009
By Gareth Black
IT may have been only a handful of games compared to the full fixture card of the current era, but this week Glasgow will look back with pride on their team who went unbeaten through a season 20 years ago.
Glasgow Warriors will mark the anniversary of that campaign when they open their Magners League campaign at home to current champions Munster on Friday night, and many of the players who represented the district team two decades ago will be in attendance at Firhill

The squad of 1989/90, captained by Fergus Wallace and coached by Richie Dixon and David Johnston, drew with Munster that season as well as lifting the Inter District championship undefeated and recording a memorable win over Fiji. They also recorded a win over Connacht in Galway.

Wallace met current Glasgow captain Alastair Kellock yesterday ahead of the game, and looked back fondly on a memorable season.

"I remember the trip to Munster very well," said Wallace. "It was a great tour but these were the amateur days. The game has changed so much now.

"In the final game of the championship, I remember Shade Munro (the current Glasgow forwards coach], who was injured at the time, running on to the field and saying 'if you never do anything else in your life then at least you can say you've done that'."

Having played for Glasgow for ten years, captaining them through six campaigns, Wallace, who now coaches the Glasgow High School senior XV and Glasgow Hawks Under 15s, admits he is in awe of the physical condition of the modern professional rugby player.

"I look at the players that were starting out as my playing days were finishing like Graeme Morrison and the sheer size of them is just incredible."

Kellock, who stands at 6ft 8in tall, is delighted the club are honouring the 1989/90 squad this week: "Friday night's game against Munster is going to be massive so it's great that we are inviting past players to enjoy the occasion with us.

"Playing for Glasgow means everything to me so I understand how big an achievement it was for these players to represent the district and go unbeaten throughout the season.

"I hope they enjoy the game and the supporters get a chance to show their appreciation for some very popular faces in Scottish rugby."

Looking ahead to seeing Glasgow in action on Friday night, Wallace said: "I thought the boys did well against Wasps last week. It was exactly what they needed ahead of the Munster game. It's going to be a great game and I'm sure we can get a result."

Glasgow's results in 1989/90: Glasgow 19 Edinburgh 19, North & Midlands 10 Glasgow 19, South 10 Glasgow 22, Glasgow 18 Anglo-Scots 15, Munster 18 Glasgow 18, Connacht 6 Glasgow 21, Glasgow 22 Fiji 11.

Glasgow squad in 1989/90: Dave Barrett (West of Scotland), George Breckenridge (GHK), Derek Busby (GHK), Matt Duncan (West of Scotland), George Graham (Stirling County), Stewart Hamilton (Stirling County), David Jackson (Hillhead/Jordanhill), Ian Jardine (Stirling County), Phil Manning (Ayr), Stewart McAslan (Glasgow Accies), Ewan McCorkindale (GHK), Dave McKee (West of Scotland), Kevin McKenzie (Stirling County), David McVey (Ayr), Shade Munro (GHK), Brian Robertson (Stirling County), Derek Stark (Ayr), Fergus Wallace (GHK, captain), Alan Watt (GHK).

This article was posted on 2-Sep-2009, 06:52 by Hugh Barrow.