Evening Times reports

Glasgow to tough it out and extend run, says Wright
Published on 4 Jan 2012

By BERT MITCHELL

FORMER Scotland star Peter Wright believes Glasgow’s new-found mental toughness provides the basis

for them to extend their record-breaking run in the RaboDirect Pro12 to nine games at Scarlets on Saturday.

Warriors’ 1872 Cup success over Edinburgh took their unbeaten run in domestic league action to eight games with six wins and two draws making up the hot streak.

But with Saturday evening’s trip to the Parc y Scarlets pitting Sean Lineen’s side against opposition who are also going well in domestic and European action, Wrighty admits the visit to Wales will pose a serious test of resolve.

The former British Lion reckons a success over the Scarlets has assumed pivotal importance with the decisive Pool Three Heineken Cup double- header with Leinster and Bath to follow.

Wright said: “I think what has been so impressive about Glasgow’s unbeaten run is the sheer mental toughness and hardness they have shown in closing out games they have not played well in, but got the result they were looking for.

“In the past Glasgow have been labelled gallant losers but they showed real pragmatism to close out the win over Edinburgh and retain the 1872 Cup when they did not play to their best. The other thing they are showing is that they can really come strong in the later stages of games.

“To me that underlines just how much fight they have but also that this Glasgow side is maturing and that they have that winning mentality in them. Both of these qualities will be tested at the Parc y Scarlets on Saturday night though.”

Glasgow have experienced mixed fortunes against their Welsh opponents recently with Scarlets doing the double over Warriors last season while Lineen’s men have won in two of their three previous visits to Parc y Scarlets.

But with two massive Heineken Cup ties following the trip to the Welsh province, Wrighty says focus maybe an issue for Glasgow.

The ex-Scotland hooker said: “For me the Scarlets are probably playing the best rugby of any of the Welsh provinces right now and they are sitting second in Pool One of the Heineken Cup with every opportunity of qualifying for the last eight.

“So the Glasgow defence is going to have to hold firm and, in terms of an attacking threat, with ball in hand there is going to need to be a good deal more than there was against Edinburgh.

“But if Glasgow can get a result at Scarlets it will set them up really nicely for the two Heineken Cup games.

“The confidence they would take from beating the Scarlets on Welsh soil would be a massive plus but to do that they can’t let their minds wander to the big European games. But, like I said, that hard- headedness will serve Glasgow well on Saturday night.

“In many ways this will provide an acid test of all the progress Glasgow have made this season.

“But for me there is no argument that Glasgow are definitely on the up.”

This article was posted on 6-Jan-2012, 08:05 by Hugh Barrow.