The Semi-Final: Glasgow Warriors vs. Ulster Rugby

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The Semi-Final: Glasgow Warriors vs. Ulster Rugby

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[tag=image]http://www.shawlandsacademy.glasgow.sch ... rriors.jpg[/tag][tag=content]And so we are down to the final four.

Officials and ludicrous citings aside, we now return to the scene of last week’s defeat in order to restore our pride, end the only remaining 100% home record in the Pro12, and return to Belfast to contest the Grand Final against either Munster or the Ospreys. This week calls for a huge effort from all 23 members of the squad, staff and travelling support – unless all three can put in an 80 minute performance then we will be departing from this competition at the semi-final stage for the third time.

All that stands in our way are the Glasgow Warriors. The top seeded side in the competition, led by the recently dubbed Pro12 Coach of the Year in Gregor Townsend and with home advantage to boot, this is real test of our character. We already know from last week that they are formidable opponents and will take a lot to stop, but we also know that their weaknesses can be exploited from our victory at the Kingspan Stadium back in October.

This is Glasgow’s fourth successive play-off appearance, and their second consecutive knockout match at Scotstoun. As mentioned, they are the only side in the Pro12 remaining that have won all their games at home this season, and haven’t lost at Scotstoun since Round 13 of last season’s competition against the Dragons. Townsend’s men have only lost once in their last six outings, as they were beaten 21-10 away to the Ospreys in Round 21. The Warriors have been involved in seven semi-finals, however they have only had one success – last season’s victory at this stage against Munster.

We’ve been involved in one less Pro12 semi-final than our opponents, yet we have also only progressed to the one Grand Final – in 2013 when we defeated the Scarlets in the semi-final. Our away record is rather patchy compared to Glasgow’s home form, with a 50% win rate in our last six games (three wins and three losses), as is our knockout record, which is also 50% (four wins and four losses).

Indeed, our record over Glasgow in general isn’t fantastic: our 29-9 win over them back in October is our solitary victory in the last five fixtures between the two sides, and we have only won once at Scotstoun – a 19-8 triumph in the Heineken Cup back in 2012. However, we do hold the advantage in play-off matches against the Warriors, having beaten them twice – in the 2002 Celtic League quarter-finals and the Celtic Cup semi-finals in 2003.

Our season hinges on this one result.

Win, we make history and advance to our second Pro12 Grand Final with a glorious chance of winning the competition on our home turf.

Lose, and our season is over.

It’s all or nothing, and the staff and players will know exactly what they need to do in order to make the final next Saturday. It is certainly within our grasp with a rested team and a knowledge of what our opponents will throw at us so all we need to do now is put in the performance that will give us that first away victory in the Pro12 semi-finals. For those of you heading across, sing loud and sing proud.

And for all of Friday, STAND UP FOR YOUR ULSTERMEN :red:

The teams
Just the two changes for Glasgow – one in the backs and one in the forwards – which see Henry Pyrgos introduced at scrum-half with Nikola Matawalu moved onto the wing and Sean Lamont dropped to the bench; and Fraser Brown return to the team at hooker having missed out last week altogether. DTH van der Merwe has also shaken off an injury to be named amongst the replacements.

Eleven changes to the fixture from last week for us, with Louis Ludik, Ricky Lutton, Lewis Stevenson and Chris Henry the only survivors. Tommy Bowe and Craig Gilroy return to the wings once more while Jared Payne and Darren Cave form a now familiar centre partnership with Ruan Pienaar and Paddy Jackson restored at half-back. Callum Black and Rory Best join Lutton in the front row and Stevenson is partnered by Dan Tuohy in the second row behind them. Iain Henderson and Roger Wilson complete the team at blindside flanker and number eight respectively.

Glasgow Warriors vs. Ulster Rugby
Friday 22nd May, 19:45
Scotstoun Stadium
Guinness PRO12 – Semi-Final

Live on Sky Sports 3, BBC2 Northern Ireland, TG4 and BBC Alba

GLASGOW WARRIORS
15. Stuart Hogg, 14. Tommy Seymour, 13. Richie Vernon, 12. Peter Horne, 11. Nikola Matawalu, 10. Finn Russell, 9. Henry Pyrgos; 1. Ryan Grant, 2. Fraser Brown, 3. Roussow de Klerk, 4. Jonny Gray, 5. Alastair Kellock (capt.), 6. Josh Strauss, 7. Chris Fusaro, 8. Adam Ashe.

Replacements: 16. Pat MacArthur, 17. Gordon Reid, 18. Mike Cusack, 19. Leone Nakarawa, 20. Ryan Wilson, 21. Duncan Weir, 22. Sean Lamont, 23. DTH van der Merwe.

ULSTER RUGBY
15. Louis Ludik, 14. Tommy Bowe, 13. Jared Payne, 12. Darren Cave, 11. Craig Gilroy, 10. Paddy Jackson, 9. Ruan Pienaar; 1. Callum Black, 2. Rory Best (capt.), 3. Ricky Lutton, 4. Lewis Stevenson, 5. Dan Tuohy, 6. Iain Henderson, 7. Chris Henry, 8. Roger Wilson.

Replacements: 16. Rob Herring, 17. Andrew Warwick, 18. Bronson Ross, 19. Robbie Diack, 20. Sean Reidy, 21. Paul Marshall, 22. Stuart McCloskey, 23. Michael Allen.

Referee: George Clancy (IRFU, 73rd competition game)
Assistant Referees: John Lacey, Dudley Phillips (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: Gwyn Bowden (WRU)
TMO: Seamus Flannery (IRFU)[/tag]
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