Struggling without a win in the qualifiers behind Edinburgh and Borders, they are banking on Wales opting for a new four-team pro set-up instead of five. The WRU have been given an April 2 deadline to fix their format.

If the Welsh opt for four teams that would almost certainly mean a third Heineken slot going to Scotland, allowing Glasgow to sneak in through the back door. But if they go for a five-team option, Scotland's allocation will remain at two with Glasgow consigned to competing in the Parker Pen Cup.

Glasgow chief executive David Jordan said: "We would obviously want to qualify on merit for the Heineken by reviving our Pro Cup campaign next month. However if there was another way in we would jump at it." Llanelli, Cardiff and Pontypridd have led the opposition to the four-team option proposed by the WRU and have threatened legal action should the WRU proceed along those lines.