Win over Saracens confirms Glasgow as contenders on two fronts

The Glasgow Warriors entered unfamiliar territory when they stormed into the Champions Cup knockouts on Sunday night. A total of 20 points from a possible 20 and a seeding of two in the final 16 result in four wins from four.

There’s never been a better chance of doing more than dying in this tournament, despite the fact that they don’t have a do-or-die end element.

Only a few elite clubs have achieved the highest group stage performance in the past four seasons: Bordeaux twice, Toulouse once, and Leinster once. Glasgow now shares the same fate as those champions and behemoths of Europe.

It’s absurd to continue being coy. It defies the logic of our own perceptions that Glasgow are not one of the final four or five clubs in the standings.

In their pompous 2018-19 victory over Glasgow, Saracens hosted them in the opening round 56-27. The Fagerson brothers, Kyle Steyn, Stafford McDowall, Scott Cummings, and George Horne are just a few survivors left.

Glasgow will now play the Bulls at home in the last-16. If they win, they will be home again in the quarter-final, and if they win, Murrayfield will likely be their home country advantage in the semi-final.

The coach, Franco Smith, said last month that he was wary of people making up their minds by naming Glasgow as legitimate contenders. He said, “I fear expectation.” We don’t want to carry any more weight forward.

He’d better get used to it. With a lethal combination of ambitious, audacious, high-risk attacking rugby, combined with an enormous defensive ferocity, they defeated six-time champions Toulouse and three-time champions Saracens at home.

That was a surefire way to engage audiences. as well as swooning and cheering.

Some of the things Glasgow produced on Sunday against Saracens was simply fantastic. The Saracens are a strong, if inconsistent, side, but they lost 28-3.

The three scream their title credentials while the 28 tell you everything about Glasgow’s elan. Every side emerges as the real deal or a one-trick pony, in defense. Smith’s team is unmatched on both offense and defense.

“We heard them tonight and we want to make Scotstoun proud.” Later, Smith said. Some of the things the South African said can be deemed effusive because he has his feet so firmly planted on the ground that it’s amazing he moves so fast.

“I thought the defense was fantastic in the closing moments of the game. We worked really hard to put on physical conditioning and strength to fight the whole time. It was enjoyable to watch.

Glasgow has won 11 of their 13 games in the United Rugby Championship and the Champions Cup, and nine of them have earned a try bonus point. They are new to the game because of their consistency over two competitions.

For the first time in years, Glasgow will face off against each other in a dual battle. That could cause additional pressure, but it’s still a buzz at the moment. On Sunday, Scotlandtoun was a unique location.

In the first week of April, the last 16 are a veritable eternity away, but their homes are free of any fears. The Bulls, Toulon, and Leinster will all be facing them in Scotland if the seeding system were to go, and everything would go just fine. There are many ways to approach these issues at home rather than abroad.

In the aftermath of the incident, Horne said, “We always come out and we try to be brave, hold on to the ball and play from anywhere.” In that opening half, the scrum-half was an unstoppable wee man among giants.

He said, “You dream and you hope you’ll get four wins out of four.” This year, in my opinion, is different. That is what we actually believe.

“Over the past few years (or ever), we’ve played two of Europe’s most popular teams.” And we’ve demonstrated that we can match them (or be a handsome matchmaker) if we perform at our best.

Look, it’s knockout rugby going into the last 16. So we must continue to perform at our best and, to be honest, be excited for it.

Glasgow entered this season with a little downer. They had lost Seb Cancelliere, a fantastic leader, and Tom Jordan, a crucial component of their URC title victory.

After losing their URC crown in a further humiliating defeat in Dublin in the semi-final, they had already left Europe due to Leinster’s cruel hands, who had put a 50 on them.

They were supposed to be declining. They were meant to fade away gradually, with players leaving and results slipping away.

Smith has, however, completely altered the situation. He has undergone a new wave of transformation. Nobody had the slightest inklings about this.