Young Glasgow Warriors back-row Euan Ferrie expects teams to up their game when they face the defending URC champions this season.  

Ferrie, a product of East Kilbride RFC< made 12 appearances in all competitions last season but was an unused substitute in the United Rugby Championship semi-final win over Munster, and the final against the Bulls.  

Despite his relative inexperience, Ferrie knows Glasgow will have a target on their backs for the coming campaign.  

He said: “Teams will want to bring their A game to try and do the trumps over the champions.  

“We want to take it game by game and see where we're at and focus on our combinations and the things we've been working on at training." 

Euan Ferrie was named Glasgow's most improved player during their title-winning seasonEuan Ferrie was named Glasgow's most improved player during their title-winning season (Image: SNS)

Ferrie was denied a late cameo in the grand final win in Pretoria, an ill-timed yellow card to Tom Jordan scrapping plans for the back-row, along with prop Oli Kebble and veteran fly-half Duncan Weir – to make their impact.  

“Just to be in the matchday squad was awesome,” he said.   

“It's a team sport so everyone gave their effort in to the whole season so the whole squad won it for us." 

Ferrie confirms that disappointment did not dampen his post-match celebrations. 

“I was running on the pitch as soon as the whistle went,” he enthused.  

But just days later, the back-row had to watch his Glasgow team-mates jet off with Scotland, and given the experimental nature of the summer tour, Ferrie could have expected the call from Gregor Townsend.   

He described missing out as a "slight disappointment” but was remaining upbeat about fulfilling his international dream one day. 

He added: “If I am chosen, I'm chosen. There is really big competition [in the back-row] so I'm not too down-heartened.” 

If he’s to further his Scotland cause, Ferrie knows he has to get into the Glasgow team on a more regular basis.  

That will be no mean feat, with Scotland trio Matt Fagerson, Rory Darge and Jack Dempsey the first-choice, plus Tongan international Sione Vailanu.  

Ferrie revealed head coach Smith has told him to become world class in one area of his game.  

“If you are world class at the basics you can pick up on the other stuff easily. Learning off the older guys - Richie Gray and Jack Dempsey - they will talk to you every day.  

“I'd like to be world class in the lineout.” 

He said working alongside Scotland veteran Richie Gray is helping him learn that facet of the game.  

Euan Ferrie said Scotland veteran Richie Gray has been a great source of helpEuan Ferrie said Scotland veteran Richie Gray has been a great source of help (Image: SNS)

“He really helps,” Ferrie said of the 2013 British and Irish Lion.   

“He is world class so anything he can help me with is good for me.”  

And he knows that by putting the hard yards in during pre-season – beginning with a trip to Italy to face Zebre next weekend – he could force his way into the Glasgow side, with Smith showing last season he is not concerned about throwing youngsters into the top team.  

The former age-grade cap said of the Warriors’ boss: “He likes using all the young boys which is nice to see because that probably wasn't happening a lot under previous coaches. 

Ferrie will be desperate for a better start to this season than he endured 12 months ago, when an ankle injury kept him sidelined for the first six games.  

“I had to grow into the team,” the 23-year-old, who made his professional debut against Benetton in October 20222, said.  

 “Going into this season, I'm just hoping for more game time and getting myself into the starting team."