Glasgow Warriors | Kenny Murray puts focus on defence
Share

Next article
Previous article
Got an opinion?
Discuss this article in the comments section or register with the glasgowwarriors.com forum.

Search this site

August 09, 2017

Kenny Murray puts focus on defence

Posted by Editor on August 9, 2017 10:15 AM | No comments | Print | E-mail author

Kenny Murray joined the Warriors from Ayr
Kenny Murray is now the longest serving member of Glasgow's coaching team following the departure of Gregor Townsend at the end of last season.

Incoming head coach Dave Rennie is on the way while Kenny has been working closely with new colleagues Jason O'Halloran and Jonathan Humphreys during pre-season training, and the former Ayr coach is excited by the new regime.

Speaking to Warriors TV, Kenny said: "It's been an interesting transition. When I started here four or five years ago Gregor was the head coach, so I've spent all my time here working with him and Matt [Taylor], as well as with Shade [Munro] and Dan [McFarland].

'It's been really good though - Jason and Humphs have integrated really well into the squad and have brought different ideas, which have been really good in freshening up the environment. Dave [Rennie] has also been regularly involved with meetings over Skype and he's been really clear on what he's looking for, so we've got really good alignment between the coaching staff."

With Humphreys and O'Halloran arriving from a Scotland side that enjoyed their most successful Six Nations since 2006 earlier this year, Kenny is hopeful that they will be able to bring similar results to the Scotstoun side.

"It's important to recognise that Scotland have done really well over the last few years," said Kenny.

"They got to their highest ever world ranking in the last couple of months, and that's down to the hard work they've done over the last couple of years. I think you'll see Jason and Humphs' fingerprints pretty quickly."

Kenny's focus this year will primarily be on the Warriors defence, following Matt Taylor's full-time move to the Scotland national set-up.

"Last year I worked with Matt a lot on defence, and with Matt moving to Scotland I'll be working more on that," said Kenny.

"I'm looking forward to getting a grasp on things - obviously last year we were good in some areas defensively, but we need to improve on other aspects in terms of improving our quality overall."

The first test for the new coaching team will be when the Warriors take on Northampton Saints in Stirling a week on Saturday. It will be a first chance for incoming head coach Dave Rennie to view his new side in action, with Kenny also looking forward to taking the club on the road.

"We're proud of the connection we have with the clubs in our area. We obviously played Canada 'A' at Bridgehaugh last season and got a great crowd for that," said Kenny.

"It's great for the local community to be able to go to a Glasgow Warriors game in their area, as well as for the youngsters to see the Warriors play on their pitch. It's a great opportunity, and it's going to be a tough game. Northampton have been one of the best sides in England for the last 10 years or so.

"Dave's been accessing every session we've had, so he's getting a really good picture of how players are progressing. One of the really important things I've picked up on with him is that he'll pick on performance - he's looking for players performing well, so if you're a young player who's playing well, you'll get your opportunity."