Josh Strauss on the charge
WELL, that was unexpectedly good fun. I had reconciled myself to a night in front of the TV, watching Ospreys beat Edinburgh (No, I never expect Edinburgh to beat 17 men in Wales), when I got a desperate call - could I get to Rugby Park to cover the Warriors v Munster game?
Since it takes the chance of earning some money to get me out of my arm chair, I didn't hesitate and, just over one hour later, there I was, in the Rugby Park press box and raring to go. I am actually glad I took the gig, because I witnessed a cracking game, a seven-try thriller, deservedly won by Warriors.
From a Scotland viewpoint, and we must never forget, for all their recent success, Warriors (and Edinburgh) are all about making sure Scotland stays competitive in the international arena, this was a good night for Vern Cotter. Peter Horne had a cracking game, ditto wee Dunky Weir, who, in scoring a terrific try, demonstrated searing pace few of us suspected he possessed. Gordon Reid and Zander Fagerson, out back-up props, played their part in a dominant Glasgow scrum, but, the big boost for BVC came with a Man of the Match performance from Josh Strauss.
Captaincy seems to bring out the best in the big Saffer. He led from the front, and the way he repeatedly made the hard yards, and lots of them, must make him the prime contender to take Scotland's number eight jersey from the currently under-performing Dave Denton.
Munster came to give Glasgow a game, and they did. This was a wonderful advertisement for the Pro12, which fair warmed a cauld, dreich nicht.
Rangers boss Mark Warburton has, of late, seemingly been conducting a one-man war against artificial pitches in general, and the Rugby Park one in particular. Aye, but this, to me was simply Ibrox preciousness. You will not find Gregor Townsend bad-mouthing the Rugby Park surface, he reckons it is brilliant for rugby, and definitely suits the fast-paced, off-loading game Glasgow seeks to play.
That said, he is hoping the team will soon be back home at Scotstoun, but, you can see he is desperate to have the anticipated and promised artificial surface laid there, ASAP. Then, watch Glasgow go.
Meanwhile, in Swansea, Ospreys were, as everyone expected, seeing-off the Edinburgh challenge. Once again, Edinburgh got themselves well into the game, then faded, and, apparently, the Welsh touch judges and TMO didn't have to do too-much to help the home side win.
Edinburgh all too often flatters to deceive, they really are a problem for the SRU. By the way, rumours are abounding in the game, that Grant Gilchrist is the man Toulon are targeting as a replacement for the now-retired Paul O'Connell.
A big boost for Big G and his bank balance, if it happens, but, given how little rugby he has played of late and how, he remains, for all his relationship with BVC is being seen as the rugby version of the Alex Ferguson/Darren Fletcher one at Old Trafford, maybe he owes the SRU and Edinburgh, at least one injury-free year, before he goes after the big-money move to FRance or England.
One rugby scribe, with a wicked sense of humour, suggested the idea of Gilchrist for Toulon, has been cooked up by Richie Gray - who fancies seeing his main protagonist for the Scotland number four shirt having the shit kicked out of him on a weekly basis, in the Top 14.
Meanwhile, yet another weekend of club rugby has been laid waste by the weather - summer rugby anyone? Mind you, just how we get 15-a-side rugby past the Borders clubs in April, "Sports Season", when Sevens rules down there, is anyone's guess.
From a Scotland viewpoint, and we must never forget, for all their recent success, Warriors (and Edinburgh) are all about making sure Scotland stays competitive in the international arena, this was a good night for Vern Cotter. Peter Horne had a cracking game, ditto wee Dunky Weir, who, in scoring a terrific try, demonstrated searing pace few of us suspected he possessed. Gordon Reid and Zander Fagerson, out back-up props, played their part in a dominant Glasgow scrum, but, the big boost for BVC came with a Man of the Match performance from Josh Strauss.
Captaincy seems to bring out the best in the big Saffer. He led from the front, and the way he repeatedly made the hard yards, and lots of them, must make him the prime contender to take Scotland's number eight jersey from the currently under-performing Dave Denton.
Munster came to give Glasgow a game, and they did. This was a wonderful advertisement for the Pro12, which fair warmed a cauld, dreich nicht.
Rangers boss Mark Warburton has, of late, seemingly been conducting a one-man war against artificial pitches in general, and the Rugby Park one in particular. Aye, but this, to me was simply Ibrox preciousness. You will not find Gregor Townsend bad-mouthing the Rugby Park surface, he reckons it is brilliant for rugby, and definitely suits the fast-paced, off-loading game Glasgow seeks to play.
That said, he is hoping the team will soon be back home at Scotstoun, but, you can see he is desperate to have the anticipated and promised artificial surface laid there, ASAP. Then, watch Glasgow go.
Meanwhile, in Swansea, Ospreys were, as everyone expected, seeing-off the Edinburgh challenge. Once again, Edinburgh got themselves well into the game, then faded, and, apparently, the Welsh touch judges and TMO didn't have to do too-much to help the home side win.
Edinburgh all too often flatters to deceive, they really are a problem for the SRU. By the way, rumours are abounding in the game, that Grant Gilchrist is the man Toulon are targeting as a replacement for the now-retired Paul O'Connell.
A big boost for Big G and his bank balance, if it happens, but, given how little rugby he has played of late and how, he remains, for all his relationship with BVC is being seen as the rugby version of the Alex Ferguson/Darren Fletcher one at Old Trafford, maybe he owes the SRU and Edinburgh, at least one injury-free year, before he goes after the big-money move to FRance or England.
One rugby scribe, with a wicked sense of humour, suggested the idea of Gilchrist for Toulon, has been cooked up by Richie Gray - who fancies seeing his main protagonist for the Scotland number four shirt having the shit kicked out of him on a weekly basis, in the Top 14.
Meanwhile, yet another weekend of club rugby has been laid waste by the weather - summer rugby anyone? Mind you, just how we get 15-a-side rugby past the Borders clubs in April, "Sports Season", when Sevens rules down there, is anyone's guess.
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