It seemed to be a grand farewell three weeks ago, but instead Al Kellock wants to turn it into a retirement tour all the way to the Guinness PRO12 final with at least two more sellout dates at home.
Kellock and colleague Dougie Hall, both retiring at the end of the season, were honoured and feted at Glasgow Warriors’ last home league game against Cardiff in what appeared to be a final fling for both veterans.
Instead, they’re both back for today’s final regular season league game against Ulster, where Glasgow need a win probably with a bonus point to secure a precious home semi-final in the play-offs next week.
Ulster are in the play-offs as well but their confidence in achieving their own home semi by overhauling the Warriors as well as one of Ospreys or Munster in today’s final round of games is best illustrated by them making 12 changes for the first-choice team that drew against their Irish rivals in Belfast last week.
With Tim Swinson ruled out injured, Kellock meanwhile brings his vast experience to bear in another crucial match for the Warriors, having known all along that the Cardiff match probably wouldn’t be his swansong.
“Cardiff must have been tribute night!” joked the captain. “I knew I’d probably be involved somewhere down the line so I was always going to keep myself fit and ready,” he said.
“I’m not going to let the fitness slip after all this time or let all the emotion drain away in one game. This is a massive game for us, one of the big clubs in the league, a full house, and a chance to get back here next week.”
Glasgow have to aim for the win first today, but lying level on points with Ospreys and Munster and between them in second when various tiebreakers are applied, they know that the only certain way to get a home semi next Friday at Scotstoun is to win with a try bonus point.
There will be eyes on the TV pictures from their rivals’ games – every match in the PRO12 kicks off at 3pm this afternoon – in case either slip up, and regular information will be conveyed to the field if necessary.
“They’ve mixed up their side, but I think they did the same end of last season and went down to Munster and won, so it’s still a highly motivated group,” added Kellock.
“We have to beat the team in front of us, that’s all the focus. We’ll find out what’s happening elsewhere, I’ll certainly be seeking that information but we can’t do anything at all until we win the game.
“The home semi-final last year gave everyone a taste. It’s got that feel again this week, the same as last year, except we get a chance to book another, that’s amazing.”
Gregor Townsend has juggled his options after last week’s disappointment in Swansea, Rob Harley perhaps the most surprising omission with Josh Strauss, Chris Fusaro and Adam Ashe a back-row putting the accent on pace.
Sean Lamont will start for the first time since the 6 Nations, with Niko Matawalu at scrum-half partnering the returning Finn Russell at stand-off.
Glasgow team: Stuart Hogg; Tommy Seymour, Richie Vernon, Peter Horne, Sean Lamont; Finn Russell, Niko Matawalu; Ryan Grant, Dougie Hall, Roussow de Klerk; Jonny Gray, Al Kellock (capt); Josh Strauss, Chris Fusaro, Adam Ashe
Replacements: Pat MacArthur, Gordon Reid, Mike Cusack, Leone Nakarawa, Ryan Wilson, Henry Pyrgos, Duncan Weir, Peter Murchie.