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November 13, 2015

Attention turns to Europe for the Warriors

Posted by Editor on November 13, 2015 03:00 AM | No comments | Print | E-mail author

Tommy Seymour says Glasgow has the squad to compete with the best in Europe
Tommy Seymour knows what to expect when the Warriors take on big-spending Racing 92 in their European Rugby Champions Cup opener in Paris.

The French club won't have Dan Carter, their latest big-money signing, for the opening game in Pool 3, but they will still field a huge pack and a back division full of pace and guile.

"We are well accustomed to Europe and the quality of sides," said Tommy in today's Herald. "We are used to Drew Mitchell, Bryan Habana, top-quality sides in the French leagues with the money they invest and the quality of their players and their depth. I believe we have the calibre of players to go out and compete with these guys. Fingers crossed we get things right across in Paris and get off to a good start.

"We are looking forward to it; Europe is always an exciting time. For it come on so quickly after I got back [from the World Cup] is an exciting transition period. We have had two good results in the last two weeks but performance wise we probably have not been where we would have wanted to have been.

"In terms of the points we have got, we have given ourselves a lot of confidence. There are a few things to tighten up, especially after last week, but Europe is an exciting time and Europe always has a great buzz about it so the trip to Paris should be a lot of fun."

It's no secret the Glasgow squad are desperate to progress on the European stage after their recent league successes where they have reached the play-offs in five of the last six seasons and won the tournament last May.

"Our ambition is very high," said Tommy. "We weren’t private about our ambitions in the league last year. Gregor [Townsend, the head coach] was very vocal about the way he viewed the league. External pressure is something we don’t worry about it but as a squad it [reaching a European quarter final] is something we badly want to do, especially after coming so close last year.

"A lot of the guys played at the World Cup, experienced the pressured environment, one game having such a bearing on another. How you progress out of the group is a similar to Europe. Gaining that knowledge can have a hugely beneficial impact.

"The guys have played in Europe enough to know what to expect. There is confidence amongst this group of players that this is something we need to do, to step up to. We know if we play the rugby we can really play we can turn over the group and progress."