When Glasgow Warriors defeated Munster to win the Pro12 title back in 2015, the feeling among the group was that this would just be the start of things.
After all, the squad had reached the final the previous season and looked in good shape to add to the Scotstoun trophy cabinet in the years ahead.
For one reason or another, however, it hasn’t turned out that way. Beaten Pro14 finalists at home in 2019 and then vanquished in last year’s Challenge Cup final, the wait for another piece of silverware goes on.
Opportunity, though, knocks once more this weekend. Glasgow are back in another final, having battled past the Stormers and then Munster to land a date with the Bulls in Pretoria on Saturday.
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The 2015 side remain feted for what they achieved that season but one of the heroes of that squad, Richie Vernon, says he would love nothing more than to see Franco Smith’s side join them as trophy-winning legends.
“I was reading at the weekend about the team getting to the final and hadn’t realised it had been so long since that last trophy,” admits the former Scotland player.
“It’s amazing how quickly the time flies past and here we are nine years later.
“At the time we felt it had taken so long to climb that mountain top to win the league. It was something we were so passionate about in our vision for the team.
"Maybe you take things for granted but it felt like it was almost an inevitability that we would do it again in the years afterwards and that obviously hasn’t come to pass.
“But it does make you appreciate how hard these things are. Every team is setting out hoping to do the same thing and you’re playing consistently against some fantastic teams like Leinster and Munster and it’s never easy to go all the way.
“Looking back now we were lucky in 2015 that it all came together to allow us to get that historic win. That was a long time ago now and I’m really optimistic about the chances for the team this weekend.
“It would be great if they could get over the line as they’re a squad that seems to be always improving. They look like they have the toughness to do it and that would be great for the club and all its supporters to have another trophy to celebrate.
“Going to South Africa makes it tougher and you always know that you’ll get a physical battle. But the Munster win will give Glasgow a lot of confidence, especially given how it was achieved.
"Their pack has fared well all season and you’d like to think they can step up again this weekend and match that level of physicality."
The class of 2015 had some stellar pupils. As well as Vernon – the only player to be capped by Scotland at a World Cup as both a back and a forward – head coach Gregor Townsend was able to call on talents such as Stuart Hogg, Pete Horne, Finn Russell, Jonny Gray and Leone Nakarawa, while the squad was led by Warriors legend Al Kellock.
They combined to thrash old rivals Munster 31-13 in Belfast to take the trophy, creating memories that Vernon still looks back on fondly.
“We had played in the final the year before and didn’t do ourselves justice in any way, shape or form,” he admits.
“We let the occasion get the better of us. We spent too much effort trying to raise our game for the occasion.
“But that past experience served us well when we got back to the final in 2015. We had already beaten Munster in the league and as a playing group we were just really confident that if we played our best rugby we would have a really good chance of winning.
“We had confidence that had been missing the year before and that translated onto the pitch. The scoreline was quite convincing come the end but there were some really tight moments as you would always expect in a final. But we had a team of guys who knew we could do it and thankfully on the day it all came together.
“I’m a big believer that you need to learn from past experiences – even in defeat – before you can succeed and that’s something that the current squad will hopefully have benefited from too.
“The atmosphere at the Kingspan that day was amazing. It’s a day I’ll never forget and I’m sure most of my old teammates would say the same.”
Vernon played alongside Horne in midfield that day, the former back-rower modestly insisting that it was his partner who deserved all of the credit. It is likely Huw Jones and Sione Tuipulotu who will take on that role for Warriors this weekend and Vernon is a big fan of both men.
“They’ve been fantastic,” he says of the Scotland pair. “They’re much better than me and Pete were – but only because of my contribution not because of Pete's!
"Huw has just gone from strength to strength. He had some challenges when he first came over from Scotland and his first spell at Glasgow maybe didn’t turn out as he might have hoped.
“But he’s come back to the club as this revitalised player and he’s now hitting the heights we always knew he could. He’s got all the key traits to be one of the world’s great centres and he’s now showing up in all the big games for Glasgow and Scotland.
“I never played with Sione but’s added so much too. He’s a great decision-maker the way Pete was. Sione’s a great ball player who helps bring other people into the game with how he plays.
"They’re a great combination who also bring an element of physicality and that will be important at the weekend. Them as a centre partnership is one of Glasgow’s strengths.”
A busy work and family life have combined to keep Vernon away from rugby since he retired in 2018 but he will be tuning in on Saturday night hoping to witness another glorious day for his old club.
“I’ve not been at Scotstoun for a while and I definitely need to get back there,” he adds.
“Seeing them get to another final has reinvigorated my love for the Warriors. I’ll definitely be watching closely on Saturday night.
“It’s a great club and I’ve got so many fond memories from my time there. There are guys in the current team who put their heart on the line for the Warriors and that was something that we were always very proud of doing when I played too.”
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