“One game at a time” might have entered cliche in almost every sport there is, but there’s a suggestion that it might not apply for Glasgow’s opening Guinness PRO12 game at Scotstoun tonight.
The Warriors start the season hosting the team they last played in PRO12 action, Leinster, who soundly defeated them in May’s Grand Final.
Given the recent history between the teams and the absolute necessity to win home games in this league, if there can be such a thing as a must-win game first-up, this is it.
Head coach Gregor Townsend hinted at some discomfort that the top two from last year’s competition should have to meet in the very first game, but understands the reasons.
“It’s very appealing for fans, for sponsors, for broadcasters, what a way to start the competition,” he said, mindful of Sky Sports using the opening clash as their big focus for their first weekend showing the PRO12.
“There’s 20 games to play this season so we’re mindful of that,” he added.
“It certainly focuses the mind, the fact that we’re playing the champions, the best team in our league and we know we have to start the season playing close to our best rugby to get a win.
“It helps a little with the preparation to play a team you met in your last competitive game because we did so much work before the final and then learned a lot during the final. But we know that things might not go totally fluently.
“It is the first game of the season, there are new combinations and the season is over 20 games so it is about being consistent throughout.”
Duncan Weir is out with a knee injury and Finn Russell is suffering a shoulder problem, which means that Peter Horne moves to 10, as he did in the playoffs against Leinster, with Stuart Hogg on the bench as back-up, although he last played in the position for the British Lions 18 months ago.
“If it had been a game later in the season we may have played Duncy but there is no need to risk and leave him open to further injury at this stage,” said Townsend.
“On top of that we know that we have two quality players at our disposal in Peter Horne and Stuart Hogg. Peter has worked really hard in training and he got 30 minutes at 10 against Harlequins.
“We see Stuart as a 15, but we know he can cover 10 and we encourage him to be at first receiver a lot anyway.”
Hogg and Sean Lamont don’t start as both were not expected to be wholly ready to play this week, while Townsend also goes with a relatively inexperienced front row, giving first starts to Alex Allan and Fraser Brown, with Leinster fielding their first-choice front row of Cian Healy, Sean Cronin and Mike Ross.
Josh Strauss is captain despite two other candidates in the leadership group, Jonny Gray and Henry Pyrgos, both starting the game.
While Townsend juggles his squad to deal with 14 injured personnel not available to him, although there are still seven internationals in the eight men on the bench, it seems he can write in Rob Harley’s name every week.
The durable flanker makes his 100th appearance for the club at just 24, and was an ever-present in the league last year, winning the fans’ player of the year award.
There is a certain symmetry as well, as his debut was in the season-opener in 2010, also against Leinster, a match the Warriors won 22-19.
“I guess I’ve been, touch wood, lucky with injuries so far but a lot of credit goes down to the phsyio staff and the way they prepare us for matches and training and the emphasis on rehab afterwards,” said the Scotland international.
“We’re definitely going to use the feeling of losing the final and it’ll be a motivating factor for us, but I think with this squad we’re really more focused on what we can do this year.
“There’s really no better way to start this season than hosting the champions.”
The big match feeling is heightened by Nigel Owens taking the whistle, as he was in the Grand Final and the fourth time in the last six meetings of the teams that he’s been the referee.
Glasgow (vs Leinster, tonight, Guinness PRO12, Scotstoun, 5.15pm): Peter Murchie; Tommy Seymour, Mark Bennett, Alex Dunbar, Lee Jones; Peter Horne, Henry Pyrgos; Alex Allan, Fraser Brown, Euan Murray; Leone Nakarawa, Jonny Gray; Rob Harley, Chris Fusaro, Josh Strauss (capt). Replacements: Pat MacArthur, Gordon Reid, Rossouw de Klerk, Tim Swinson, Adam Ashe, Niko Matawalu, Stuart Hogg, Sean Lamont.