Those who insist European Champions Cup rugby is simply a matter of the big English and French clubs flexing their muscles should take a look at the Pool One table. It could hardly be better reading for the Pro12, with Munster and Glasgow lording it over Racing 92 and Leicester after four rounds. Might it also be a preliminary taster of what to expect in next month’s Six Nations?
Saturday’s visit of Munster to the artificial surface of Scotstoun also has possible Lions implications, particularly for some of Glasgow’s prominent individuals. Finn Russell, Jonny Gray, Stuart Hogg, Tommy Seymour and Alex Dunbar are all influential figures and, as Racing and Leicester have already discovered, there is nothing remotely lily-livered about the entire Glasgow pack.
With the smart Gregor Townsend entering the final furlong of his tenure before taking over as the Scotland coach, Glasgow will certainly never have a better chance of reaching Europe’s last eight for the first time. There have been impressive patches here and there, not least in 2014-15 when they hammered Bath at home and overcame Montpellier away in their first two pool fixtures, but winning three of their four games this time has finally left them in control of their own destiny.
Defeating the pumped-up men of Munster, who have lost once since the tragic death of Anthony Foley in October, would also send a blunt message to Leicester, with Glasgow at Welford Road for their final fixture next week. As Seymour stresses, however, the encounter with the Tigers can wait. “We’ve got a huge game first,” said the prolific Scotland wing, who will line up opposite the recalled Keith Earls. “It would be very dangerous to look past that. If we do that we can then look forward to Leicester with a lot of ambition.”
Seymour, who would surely be the first Nashville-born player to represent the Lions, had a peripatetic childhood and represented Ireland at under-19 level before switching to Glasgow in 2011. He has scored 31 tries in 95 games for the club, as well as 14 tries in 31 Tests for Scotland, establishing a reputation as a quality finisher and interception poacher. Eight tries in nine Pro12 games this season have also clearly played a part in the 28-year-old’s decision to sign a new two-year club contract.
Another factor is the impending arrival of Dave Rennie, the former coach of the free-flowing Chiefs in New Zealand, with Seymour firmly of the view Glasgow can improve further if they stick to their positive approach.
“It’s important for everyone to know that style and mindset will be carried on,” said Seymour, also keen for the club to give Townsend a fitting sendoff.
“If there’s one goal we have it is a collective one to progress into the last eight in Europe, to get back into the top four of the Pro12 and be competitive for the league title at the end of the season.”
The bookmakers are more inclined towards Munster topping the pool, their comprehensive away win over Racing in Paris last Saturday having once again underlined the influence of their loose forwards and the Ireland scrum-half Conor Murray.
Tommy O’Donnell has a sprained ankle, however, and Seymour reckons Glasgow are on the up. “We’d be very worried as a squad if we were paying any attention to betting odds. The most important thing is where we feel we are as a squad and as a club,” he said.“We’ve had some really big wins since the start of December and confidence is high. Munster won’t be concerned about odds and we won’t either. I think it’ll be one hell of a game.”
