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Glasgow Warriors title can ‘drive Scotland on’ – Gregor Townsend – BBC Sport

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5 months ago

June 30, 2024

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Glasgow Warriors title can ‘drive Scotland on’ – Gregor Townsend – BBC Sport

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Image caption, Head coach Gregor Townsend is in Canada preparing for Scotland’s summer tour

2 hours ago

Glasgow Warriors’ United Rugby Championship title success will “drive the whole of Scottish rugby forward”, according to Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend.

Warriors beat the Bulls in last weekend’s final in South Africa, having overcome defending champions Munster, also on the road, in the last four.

It was the club’s second title, coming nine years after Townsend steered them to the top prize in what was the Pro14.

“It’s an amazing achievement,” Townsend said of his former team’s triumph. “You often savour away victories more since you’ve done something tougher as a team.

“It could be massive for the players, they’re going to bring a confidence into the (Scotland) group. You can see rest of the squad were delighted for them, but you can also tell there is a determination there to say ‘we want some of this’ too.

“I think it will drive the whole of Scottish rugby forward.”

Tour offers opportunities for new faces

Townsend is also delighted that full-back Blair Kinghorn is celebrating a double-winning season with Toulouse, who clinched the Top 14 title after their Champions Cup victory.

“It’s great to see him progressing so quickly,” he told BBC Scotland.

“It shows the quality of player Blair is – and also what he must be doing in training, the standards he is setting to be selected for both finals.”

Scotland will open their summer tour against Canada in Ottawa next weekend, followed by matches against United States, Chile and Uruguay.

Established stars Kinghorn, Finn Russell, Ben White, Jack Dempsey, Zander Fagerson, Richie Gray and Grant Gilchrist are rested as Townsend examines his squad depth.

“We have 11 uncapped players in squad,” he explained. “It’s been really exciting getting to know them, to see them on training field, getting stuck in. We can’t wait to see these players grab their opportunities.

“It will be challenging because it is a new squad and our opponents will be highly motivated to knock over a Six Nations team. We need to adapt and build cohesion as quickly as possible.

“The goal is to improve on the last time we were together, play the best we can and win each game.”