Glasgow Warriors head coach Sean Lineen is looking for the same "vitality and tempo" his players showed at the very beginning of the 2009/10 campaign as they look ahead to their final home game of the regular season - against European champions and Magners League leaders Leinster on Friday night (kick-off 8pm).
Lineen, who is hoping to achieve a hat-trick of victories this month at Firhill, was delighted with his team's result last weekend, but he acknowledges that Glasgow's performance will require improvement if they are to overcome the Dubliners this weekend and continue in the race towards the Magners League play-offs.
"We were happy with the win against Ulster," said Lineen. "We played with a lot of spirit but we need to play with a lot more composure a lot earlier in the game.
"You look at the first time we played an Irish team this season back in September against Munster. We need to play with the same vitality and tempo.
"This game takes on a special importance after the results last weekend.
"Leinster are not top of the league and champions of Europe for nothing. They challenge you all over the park."
The improvement of the on-field performance comes as attendances at Firhill continue to rise - a fact that has not gone unnoticed by Lineen or the players.
"The crowd has been great all season and I'm hoping for another big one on Friday night," he continued.
"They really do help the team. There are a few players coming to the end of their tenure here at Glasgow so they will be hoping to ensure our progression towards the play-offs continues in front of as large a home support as possible."
The most notable absentees, in addition to Jon Welsh's stress fracture to the leg, are backs Colin Gregor and Ruaridh Jackson.
Jackson, who withdrew from Friday night's win over Ulster with an ankle injury, has seen a specialist and will be monitored in the weeks ahead. Gregor sustained a foot injury but is improving day-by-day.
Glasgow Warriors squad to play Leinster at Firhill in the Magners League on Friday 23 April (kick-off 8pm)...
Forwards: John Barclay, Tim Barker, Johnnie Beattie, Kelly Brown Calum Forrester, Richie Gray, Dougie Hall, Ed Kalman, Alastair Kellock, Moray Low, Fergus Thomson, Kevin Tkachuk, Dan Turner
Backs: Chris Cusiter, Rob Dewey, Max Evans, Mark McMillan, DTH van der Merwe, Graeme Morrison, Hefin O'Hare, Dan Parks, Colin Shaw*, Bernardo Stortoni, Duncan Weir

This article was posted on 20-Apr-2010, 21:25 by Hugh Barrow.