Duncan Weir is given his chance to shine at No 10 for Glasgow

The Scotsman reports

Published Date: 23 September 2010
By DAVID FERGUSON
DUNCAN Weir has been handed the Glasgow No 10 jersey for tomorrow night's clash with Munster, and asked to take his burgeoning rivalry with Ruaridh Jackson to another level.
The 19-year-old came off the bench for the last 15 minutes of Glasgow's opening Magners League match with Leinster and scored the match-winning points, featured as a sub in the defeat at Newport and last week suffered the other side of the coin at Firhill when he appeared late on and again had the chance to snatch victory, over Connacht, but this time sent his drop-goal wide of the uprights.

He was still fizzing with frustration some time after the final whistle and returned to the field to practise the drop-goal from the same spot as supporters were heading out of Firhill. Sean Lineen, the Glasgow coach, has been impressed by his commitment and desire, and admitted yesterday that he had always planned to start Jackson for the first three games and swap this week, when Glasgow face Munster and the Ireland fly-half Ronan O'Gara, who is more than 14 years Weir's senior.

"This is a good opportunity to see him (Duncan] against a team like Munster," said the head coach. "The great thing is that they are both doing a lot of good things. We always had a plan to give them both a run in the first five games.

''I've been really impressed with Ruaridh in terms of his goal-kicking. Last season he was fairly erratic and this season he's really nailing it, after putting a lot of work in.

"He's also had a run of games and training now because he had a few injury spells last season and it's amazing what just having a run can do. He's also leading the line well, getting the attack going early and is tackling low and hard, so we're really happy with where he is."

After Weir's match-winning exploits against Leinster there was much chat among supporters that Weir should be promoted ahead of Jackson, but Lineen knows both that Weir has much to learn, stepping up from club to pro level only this season, while Jackson, 22, long touted as a genuine international contender, has endured a tough education with injuries and Dan Parks' form in his first two years as a professional.

"There are some positions and some players you can just slot in and they're fine," agreed Lineen. ''But at stand-off you get the ball more than anyone but the scrum-half, and have to make a lot of decisions under a lot of pressure, and have the skill-set to get out of situations.

"Ruaridh has had to get up to speed and I think he has done really well. He has things to improve on - decision-making, selection of kicks in that middle third of the pitch - but I'm delighted with him.

"Duncan has come on and made an impact. He's a very confident lad and deserves a chance.

This article was originally posted on 23-Sep-2010, 05:40 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 23-Sep-2010, 05:55.