Glasgow leavers aren't much of a surprise but will be missed - The Pen

Bottom placed Zebre bring their season to a close against place-chasing Glasgow at Scotstoun Friday night and, with all due respect to our guests, that could not be a better game (on paper) to have.

Zebre have had a torrid time this season. One win, one draw and fifteen defeats. Only Dragons have a worse points deficit than them. And that is the reason for my cheer (sorry Zebre!). If Glasgow want to go into their play-off game next Saturday, then this is the perfect opportunity to put a marker down, put in a performance at a sold out Scotstoun and rack up the points.

And I suspect that Franco feels the same way, because he’s went for a very, very attacking and attractive group of backs. Huwipuloto is back, with Jones having recovered from injury and when you look at the wheels on the back three, Cancelliere, Cordero and Rowe, then you can see Franco is not going with sentiment and giving the kids a run out.

READ MORE: Kyle Steyn injury update as Franco Smith explains Glasgow captain's absence

This fixture matters and if we have a chance to take a lower ranked side in the play-offs and maybe, just maybe give ourselves a home semi-final (which would be held at the Edinburgh Gastrodome for those not at the Supporters Forum held during the week) then that is to be grasped with both hands. Now of course, there’s a fair few permutations to take in but we have to do our job and then the rest will take care of itself. We can’t influence those so no point worrying about them!

In the forwards, it’s great to see Richie Gray return just in time for the business end and his experience could be vital. This is arguably, with the exception of Cummings on the bench (no slight to the exceptional Max Williamson by the way), Glasow’s strongest pack. Fagerson, Darge and Dempsey will be giving their opposite numbers nightmares at the though of facing them. Even the bench is strong!

Special mention has to be made for wee Duncy Weir, who will reach the milestone of 150 appearances for the Warriors. A fine servant over his spells at the club, he fully deserves the chance to run out to mark a tremendous achievement. And given he signed a new deal this week, he’ll be hoping to add a few more to that list.

My abiding memory of him is the 2015 final where, as the clock turned red and hoping to give some lucky Warriors fan a memento of this incredible occasion, he promptly booted the ball over the stand and into the school behind the stadium! I’ll settle for him booting it onto the Murrayfield roof this summer if it means we’ve been victorious!

But with the news Duncy is staying on, comes the time of the season when we know who we’ll not be seeing next season. With Ross Thomspon and Ali Price (remember he started the season with us?)  heading down the M8 to the Hive and Fraser Brown hanging up his boots, the Warriors have announced a number of players who will be heading for the exit.

First up and maybe one of the worst kept secrets is George Turner. With rumours of a move to Japan imminent, the hooker has been immense for Glasgow and he will be a hard act to follow for those looking to take his place. 45 caps for his country, all won while a Warrior, shows how important he’s been to Glasgow and Scotland. 15 tries in 99 appearances is a very decent return and he’ll be sorely missed.

READ MORE: Glasgow Warriors leavers confirmed as George Turner and Oli Kebble head list

Enrique Pieretto and Lucio Sordoni also follow Turner. Pieretto is maybe not such a shock given he’s not played for the club since November and moved to Waratahs on loan. Sordoni is maybe slightly more surprising as I thought he was the kind of player Smith liked but maybe it’s more to do with opportunities moving forward than the player himself.

Sintu Manjezi is another who will leave and in fairness, I think this is a good move for both player and club. Manjezi is a good player and he will be missed but this season has really been the break out for Alex Samuel and Max Williamson and with Manjezi now 29, his moving on allows for these two players to get more game time and, in the long term, benefit Scotland. This now gives us Cummings, Gray, Samuel and Williamson in the engine room and that must be mouth watering for Toony.

Thomas Gordon surprises me as I like him as a player and what he offers. At 27, I think he still has a lot to offer and with the number of back row players we lose to Scotland in international windows, I didn’t think he’d be heading for the door yet. I think we could be doing with him sticking around.

The last is maybe not surprising, but it will most certainly leave quite a hole at Scotstoun. ‘The White Rhino’ has made quite the impact in his years at Scotstoun. From battering through defenders, to that bleach blonde hair, Kebble has made a lasting impressions on fans and team mates. He’s a popular big chap with the supporters and always makes time for the supporters. Joshua has had loads of pictures with him and he’s nothing but top class whenever you spend time with him. 101 appearances as well as 11 Scotland caps, a league final and a European final show the big fellas worth.

I wish all this years leavers well in their future endeavours and hope that we’ll see them back at Scotstoun in the future, although hopefully not celebrating beating the Warriors!

Friday night will be a chance to say goodbye to some while saying hello to play-off rugby. But while there will be some tears no doubt, the aim of the game is to get the lads ready for the battle they face the next weekend. So bring your scarves and flags, bring your outdoor voices and get the place rocking. Let’s get practicing for the June 8!