GLASGOW v LEICESTER: Franco Smith goes full throttle as head coach names strongest side ahead of historic Champions Cup knockout clash

Franco Smith was rotating and resting players long before it was all the rage in rugby circles.

While Saracens’ decision to leave out many of their England stars for their Champions Cup tie at Toulon has been a hot topic this week, Smith has the luxury of naming the strongest line-up available to him for Glasgow’s own European clash at home to Leicester Tigers tonight.

The South African was quick to point out that different circumstances affect the English teams — including the threat of potential relegation from the Premiership.

In truth, however, it is his meticulous planning and a commitment to building genuine squad depth over a number of years that have allowed him to field a team replete with Scotland internationals and several other experienced figures.

Only injuries to Huw Jones, Sione Tuipulotu, Jack Dempsey, Scott Cummings and Josh McKay have denied Smith the chance to name what would be widely considered his strongest line-up, while his Leicester counterpart Michael Cheika has gone with more of a mixed bag.

Travelling north for the first-ever Champions Cup knockout tie to be held at Scotstoun will be Handre Pollard, Dan Cole, Freddie Steward and Scotland pair Will Hurd and Cameron Henderson — although the likes of Julian Montoya, Tommy Reffell and Ollie Chessum will stay behind.

Smith is too diplomatic to comment on how other clubs choose to operate, but it is evident that Glasgow give the Champions Cup and the United Rugby Championship equal billing.

‘This is an important competition,’ said the Warriors head coach. ‘I can’t talk for anybody else but obviously everybody in the club is looking forward to being involved in this game. So, it goes without saying that they’re the best players. Well, not the best players… we’ve got 45 very good players here.

‘I think there might be some discussions around (Saracens’ decision to rest players) after the game. But to burn your candle at both ends is really, really tough.

‘It’s hard to be competitive in both these competitions and manage everybody’s expectation to win.

‘It’s understandable that there’s more at stake for them. Having spent a year relegated, they know what it is to be down there. I can’t speak on their behalf but I can understand what their train of thought is.’

This is a significant milestone for Warriors as they look to hunt down a first-ever Champions Cup knockout victory and take their place in the quarter-finals.

They have shown an appetite to adapt to the challenge of facing South African and Irish opposition in the URC but Leicester, who sit third in the Premiership, will provide another stern test of their credentials, especially up front in the physical battle.

If Glasgow can win that contest to provide regular quick ball to an explosive back line, then a breakthrough victory in front of a sold-out, expectant home crowd might not be beyond them.

‘Progression in Europe depends on being able to adapt to different rugby styles, be that French or the Premiership,’ added Smith.

‘I know that there’s a lot of investment in the set-piece in the Premiership, from a technical and financial perspective. Same with France: all the big signings are in the front five. It’s important to step up to that level now.

‘We know what it takes to get involved in a game like this. To have it at home is a real accolade and compliment to the whole environment that’s worked hard to put us in this position. It’s an important milestone but hopefully it motivates the players to make the next step here.

‘We’ve just treated it like a normal week. It doesn’t need to be different. There is already enough expectation around this game. You shouldn’t overfill an already full cup.’

The injuries to Jones (Achilles) and Tuipulotu (pectoral) remain a concern. Smith will give them every chance of featuring before the end of the regular season to boost their chances of travelling with the British and Irish Lions to Australia in the summer.

Asked if Jones can still play for the Lions, Smith replied: ‘Definitely. Same with Sione. We’re dream givers, not dream takers. We know how much they want to contribute and how much they want to prepare themselves in case they get selected. 

‘So it’s about the right timing. Currently, they are progressing nicely and they will be an integral part of the last part of the season. But we are progressing with caution over their participation.’

Another intriguing element to this match-up is that Smith has been named as a potential successor to Cheika as head coach when the Australian steps away from Welford Road in the summer.

As with the Wales vacancy, with which he was also linked, Smith did not pour cold water on the speculation entirely — beyond saying it wasn’t the right time to be discussing it.

‘I am fully focused on what’s going to happen on Saturday night. It’s definitely not something I want to comment on at this stage,’ he said. 

‘I’m sincere when I say my mind’s here at the moment and I’m focusing absolutely on what needs to happen over (the rest of) this season. That kind of talk for now is dead and buried.’