Glasgow Warriors’ international contingent returned to training with a spring in their step this week, and assistant coach Pete Murchie says they are determined to build on last season’s United Rugby Championship (URC) title win.
Defence coach Murchie feels there is still growth in the group.
“I think we can get better,” the former fullback said.
He added: “I think it’s a group that is by-and-large staying together, so there’s no reason why we can’t go and achieve more.
"I think it’s about going out there and going to get it again. We know what it takes to a certain extent, how we got ourselves into that position, what it takes to win big games, how it felt afterwards. And you want it again.
“There will be a number of teams who think they can win the competition, quite rightly, so we’re going to have to go and earn it. No-one is going to give it to us.”
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Murchie said the squad has returned with a renewed vigour for the new campaign, which starts with a trip to Italy to play Zebre on Saturday evening.
"There’s definitely a spring in the step,” the former Scotland international said.
Speaking at Scotstoun this afternoon, he continued: “It was an awesome experience to go through, especially those play-off games and watching the guys grow and get better and better and rise to the occasion and just nailing those -play-off games.
“There’s no prima donnas in this group. I think the positive thing in this group is it’s pretty humble. There’s not really a place for ego here. The guys are just ready to crack on."
Glasgow’s Champions Cup campaign ended with defeat to Harlequins in the last 16 last season, but Murchie believes they have what it takes to reach the latter stages of that competition this term.
He reflected on last year’s campaign: “Last year we were competitive. I thought here against Northampton we were bang average, to be honest. But in the other three [pool stage] games we were very, very competitive.
“Bayonne was an excellent win away from home. Against Exeter we all know what happened in that game - we gave a good account of ourselves with lots of young players. And then Toulon here we obviously won.
“Quins [in the last 16] was tight but there is improvement to be made. As I say, in the Northampton game we weren’t very good.
And turning his attentions to this season, Murchie said: “But we’ve got a group that’s still together, that’s had this experience, they are seasoned internationals and we have to really go after that [the Champions Cup] as well.
“They will be tough, tough games but that’s where we need to be aiming for, to take extra steps in that competition.”
If Glasgow are to mount a serious challenge for the Champions Cup title, their defensive game will need to be at its very best. The Warriors showed that in their play-off run to the URC title, first seeing off Stormers at Scotstoun before away wins over Munster and the Bulls to lift the title.
“It was a huge effort,” said Murchie.
“I think we’d been pretty consistent defensively for most of the season but in the three play-off games we definitely went up a notch.
“The effort that went into the final, the physical demands and being in a tough spot at half-time, to a man what players had to put into that was obviously good to see as a defence coach but it wasn’t just the defence, it was all facets.
“It’s obviously good to see guys really buying in and putting their bodies on the line and I think that’s what everyone saw in the final, 23 guys putting their bodies on the line and desperate to get it done.”
Saturday’s game – which has been moved back to Parma having initially been pencilled in there, then moved to Reggio Emilia – will come soon for many of the Warriors’ internationals.
Lock JP du Preez and back-row Sione Vailanu are still making their way back from injuries, while Australian prop Sam Talakai has not yet checked in at Scotstoun.
Murchie expects head coach Franco Smith to take a youthful squad to Italy.
"It will be a youngish team that goes out, generally guys who have been in that first block [of pre-season]. The general plan is to leave the guys who have returned so they can get a good week’s training in, to put them in contention for the following week.”
"It’s a chance [for the young guys] to show what they can do. It’s been a young group in the first two weeks. Given how many went away on the summer tour that was always going to be the case, and it’s been good to work with them.”
Last season saw lock Max Williamson and back-row Euan Ferrie break into the first team, while hooker Gregor Hiddleston and prop Nathan McBeth also enjoyed stellar campaigns.
The opportunities for youngsters to put their hands up for selection begin in Italy this weekend.
“It’s a massive opportunity,” Murchie acknowledged.
“It was a youngish group that played against Ulster last year in pre-season. A number of those guys have gone on to do well and play international rugby. They might not be household names right now, but that’s how it works: guys get opportunities, invariably they take them, and then that’s them on their path.
“So we’re excited to see young players go. There will be some older heads sprinkled in there as well. We’re looking forward to getting the first hit-out.”
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