Franco Smith's challenges getting Glasgow ready for title defence

After pre-season losses to Zebre and Connacht, the Warriors will head to Ulster on September 21 for their first match as champions.  

But with captain Kyle Steyn and fellow Scotland internationals Zander and Matt Fagerson and Sione Tuipulotu amongst those who only returned to training last week, head coach Smith is confident they will help drive an increase in intensity this week.  

“No, I think the intent this week will be different,” the South African said in the wake of Saturday’s defeat to 2016 champions Connacht.  

“And I think it will change dramatically in how we train. But, remember, we finished way later than everybody else. Most of the team then went on the Scotland tour. 

“The pre-season length is the length what it is, but we had the boys coming in sporadically. That is the effect of the previous season.”  

Read more:

• Five things we learned as Glasgow slip to Connacht defeat
• Franco Smith 'frustrated' but not concerned after loss to Connacht
•  

• Now time for Glasgow Warriors to 'narrow focus', says Tom Jordan

Smith – a man with an eye for meticulous detail – also suggested there may be a different approach to the first couple of matches of the regular season.  

After the trip to Belfast, the Warriors welcome Benetton to Scotstoun before a trip to Cardiff.  

Smith added: “We must all understand that the first two or three games of the league will form part of the pre-season from our perspective. 

“We don't want that to be the case and we want to limit that rust as much as possible. But between player welfare, execution, creativity and enthusiasm, all the ingredients that makes us play the way we play, we need to take the rest periods in consideration. So, we will have everybody fresh and ready to play.” 

The Glasgow boss dismissed the idea of organising a behind-closed-doors match to help his international contingent ensure they hit the ground running at the Kingspan Stadium a week on Saturday.  

He said: “We're going to definitely work hard in the next two weeks. That's why there's no game next week.

Matt Fagerson is among the internationals who haven't played in pre-season (Image: SNS)

"It gives us a chance to push the guys to the limit from a preparation point of view, and then that will give us clear pictures for the week before the Ulster game” 

Last season, Smith’s squad rotation policy allowed forwards Gregor Brown and Max Williamson establish themselves in the team. Both ended the campaign with Scotland debuts.  

Having such a large international contingent also poses a challenge to the former Italy boss.  

He said: “There are a lot of challenges from that perspective. Most of the Scottish guys cannot play five games in a row, so that will have to be managed, but it's never been a problem here. I've always managed it.  

“That's why the players that played on Saturday night must be ready to take the baton or to give it to somebody else to come in that role. But it's not about drip-feeding. 

“We also know that the first six games are going to be very important for us. But then there's four autumn internationals, which means that there's no real break for the internationals from the first  

“Between the Champions Cup, URC, Test Match rugby, there's a lot of minutes there that needs to be shared by everybody here.  

“To live that standard, to raise the Jares of this world and Macenzzie Duncan, and Duncan Munn, and Ben Salmon, and those guys, because you never know with injury and with player management. 

Macenzzie Duncan has played in both of Glasgow's pre-season matches (Image: SNS)

“There an ‘A’ team-game [on Friday] as well which I suppose most of our players will play in part. And that's another game in a presumably rest period for the non-internationals.” 

Despite all the challenges and two defeats going into the new season, there was an overriding message from the Warriors head coach as he prepares to begin his third season at the helm.  

"It's a tricky situation, but don't worry, I've got it.”