D-DAY FOR WARRIORS AGAINST HEINEKEN CUP HOLDERS
Friday, 13 January 2012

Glasgow Warriors face what head coach Sean Lineen believes is among the “biggest and most exciting” challenges in the history of the club when they square up to reigning European champions Leinster in a must-win Heineken Cup tie at Firhill on Sunday (kick-off 12.45pm).
The Warriors require to succeed where all other opposition teams have failed since Clermont Auvergne in December 2010 and see off the Dubliners in a continental clash. Leinster currently top Pool 3 on 16 points, with Glasgow in second place on 10.
Lineen’s men can draw encouragement from having won six of their last seven Heineken Cup matches at Firhill, including pre-Christmas pool victories over Bath and Montpellier, but are well aware that nothing short of a “truly special 23-man performance” will see them through this time around.
The head coach told www.glasgowwarriors.org: “This is the sort of game you work in rugby to be involved in. What a challenge we’ve got ahead of us, against a side who have set new standards for the rest of Europe in what they do at the contact area and how many good decisions they make right across the park.
“We know from the first game back in November that it’s going to be tough, massively so, but this is what it’s all about. Through a lot of hard work and determination, we’ve put ourselves in a position where we’re going into the last two pool games still very much in the mix, and we’re all excited and enthused by that.
“We’re going to have another big Firhill crowd behind us, and we’ll be doing everything we possibly can to achieve something truly special.”
The Warriors starting line-up for the game shows 10 changes from the narrow away defeat to Scarlets last week.
Five of the switches come in the pack, where John Barclay comes in at No.8 for Ryan Wilson, captain Al Kellock and Richie Gray team up in the second row, Pat MacArthur returns at hooker while Ed Kalman starts at tight-head prop in the absence of injury victims Michael Cusack (ankle) and Moray Low (knee).
Behind the scrum, Chris Cusiter and Duncan Weir resume their half-back partnership, Colin Shaw takes one of the wing berths (with David Lemi ineligible for Heineken Cup games) while Stuart Hogg will be in the centres alongside Graeme Morrison.
At full-back, there is a welcome return for Rory Lamont, who has been unavailable for selection since suffering a blow to the head/face in the Boxing Day derby away to Edinburgh Rugby.
Rob Harley has been named in the team at blindside flanker, pending the outcome of a RaboDirect PRO12 disciplinary hearing this afternoon. The hearing has been called after the 21-year-old picked up a third tournament yellow card of the season during the Scarlets match.
Should Harley receive a sanction that makes him unavailable for Sunday’s game, Barclay will switch to blindside flanker, with Wilson coming into the team at No.8.
Lineen commented: “It’s been yet another difficult selection process this week, with some tough calls for us to make between guys who each present a compelling case.
“We’ve obviously got a couple of injuries in the front row, but Ed has shown impressive consistency this season and was outstanding at Scarlets last Saturday.
“The guys who weren’t involved in Llanelli will feel the benefit in what will be another hugely physical game on Sunday, and it’s great to be able to welcome back Rory Lamont, whose quality and fearlessness are vital for us in this sort of environment.
“We’ve no qualms whatsoever about playing John Barclay at No.8. He’s come off the bench and done well for us in that role, and he more than handled another switch of position in our last Heineken Cup game in Montpellier, where he was at blindside. It’s also right and proper that Chris Fusaro, who’s absolutely flying at the moment, is rewarded for that form.
“We really believe in this team and what they’re capable of delivering. It’s about showing what it means to represent Glasgow Warriors on the biggest stage, and ultimately to win on it.”
The Warriors are in line to record a best-ever home gate for a Heineken Cup match this Sunday. More than 5,400 tickets have been issued for the game, with the current record standing at 5,764 for the visit of Montferrand to Hughenden in 2001.
All available tickets for the Jackie Husband stand have been snapped up, with seats in the North and main stands now on sale. Alcohol will now be on sale in all three stands.
Supporters are urged to buy their tickets in advance, to beat the game-day queues and save money. Adult tickets purchased before midnight on Saturday offer a £5 discount on the match-day price of £20. Senior citizens/students £10, under-18s £5.
Tickets are available HERE, by calling 0844 800 3490, or in person at the Gordon Street and Sauchiehall Street branches of Greaves Sports, our official retail partners.
As a thank you for their sustained support, Warriors season ticket holders can bring a friend or family member to the match for free. Season ticket holders should use Voucher 9 themselves, and have their guest use Voucher A.
Season ticket holders and their guests can sit in the Jackie Husband stand, where we have allocated the appropriate number of seats.
The Ticket Centre behind the Jackie Husband stand will open at 10.30am on Sunday. It is expected to be busy, so fans are advised to arrive as early as possible, especially if they still need to buy or collect tickets. The turnstiles will open at 11.15am.
GLASGOW WARRIORS TEAM TO PLAY LEINSTER IN HEINEKEN CUP POOL 3 AT FIRHILL ON SUNDAY (KICK-OFF 12.45PM, LIVE ON SKY SPORTS)
15 Rory Lamont
14 Tommy Seymour
13 Stuart Hogg
12 Graeme Morrison
11 Colin Shaw
10 Duncan Weir
9 Chris Cusiter
1 Jon Welsh
2 Pat MacArthur
3 Ed Kalman
4 Richie Gray
5 Al Kellock (captain)
6 Rob Harley
7 Chris Fusaro
8 John Barclay
SUBSTITUTES
16 Dougie Hall
17 Gordon Reid
18 Ryan Grant
19 Tom Ryder
20 Johnnie Beattie
21 Colin Gregor
22 Troy Nathan
23 Scott Wight
Unavailable for selection due to injury: Federico Aramburu (shoulder), Mike Cusack (ankle), Ruaridh Jackson (upper leg), Moray Low (knee), Henry Pyrgos (knee), DTH van der Merwe (shoulder).
 

This article was posted on 13-Jan-2012, 15:03 by Hugh Barrow.