Graeme Morrison encouraged by ‘never-say-die’ attitude of Glasgow’s young guns

THE strength in depth at the disposal of Glasgow Warriors coach Sean Lineen was well demonstrated with yesterday’s team selection for their New Year’s Day showdown against Edinburgh.

Despite making seven changes – two enforced – to the team which started the first leg of this 1872 Cup double-header on Boxing Day, there remains enough class and grit in his choice of players to have home supporters salivating about the prospect of an eighth consecutive home victory against their arch-rivals.

The most interesting call Lineen has made this week is to move Stuart Hogg forward from full-back to outside centre. The 19-year-old has made a big impact in a short time since getting his first taste of professional rugby at the tail-end of last season, and is widely regarded as one of Scottish rugby’s most exciting prospects. Lineen believes his future should be at 13, but utilised him initially as a full-back while he found his feet at this level.

“He has a great attitude and a fantastic skill set. I think it’s the right time for him to move. It would have happened last week, but Rory Lamont got injured so we didn’t have cover at full-back,” said the Glasgow coach. “I think he can be an outstanding 13. He’s the right size, has pace and he’s strong. He has a lovely pass and an outside break. He’s not the finished article, but I’m excited by what he can bring to the position.”

Hogg will benefit on Sunday from the influence of Graeme Morrison inside him. Rather than being jaded by eight and a half years of pro rugby at the sharp end, the inside-centre has been re-invigorated by the buzz which a group of pugnacious young guns have brought to the side this year.

“It’s a great feeling that we have such an intense and competitive atmosphere here now. A couple of seasons ago it was harder to get out of the team than to get into it. But when we were away at the World Cup with Scotland, these guys really did a job and it has made it difficult for Sean to select the team every week now; and that is one of the key factors why we are sitting where we are in the league and looking to push on,” said the 29-year-old.

“In the past we might have let that first game against Edinburgh go after Tim Visser’s two quick tries, but there is a never-say-die attitude here now. The work rate for each other and for the team is something I haven’t experienced at the club before,’ he continued.

“The coaches have made it a lot more professional. They are pushing to get the absolute best out of us, and the players are pushing each other on as well – so you just can’t relax. We’re in a good place and have ambitions to get to the play-offs. If we take our foot off the gas at any stage we are not going to get there, so it is a collective mind-set to keep going.

“There is a lot of pressure on us, but I think Edinburgh will find it tough to come and play on a slightly smaller pitch which I imagine will make it a bit more physical. We weren’t entirely pleased with the physicality we brought to the last game so that is something we will be working hard at.”

Morrison admits he is yet to recapture his form before he tore the medial ligament in his knee in the corresponding fixture last year – but is confident that his game is headed in the right direction.

“I think I was playing my best rugby before that injury and I’m I am still trying to find my form from before the World Cup. I just need a run of games to get back in the groove,’ he said. “I got a bit more ball last weekend and did a bit more with it than I had being doing in previous games, so that is encouraging. I’m still working very hard every day at training to get back to where I was.”

Glasgow are hoping for a crowd of 8,600, which is the maximum Firhill is allowed for a match with unreserved seating. The excitement which Morrison talks about seems at last to be spreading beyond the dressing-room to a wider public, which has hitherto remained largely unconvinced about the value of Scottish professional rugby as a sporting spectacle.

“We’re starting to get recognised. There’s a buzz on the social networking sites about the way things are going. The chat about the 1872 Cup is something I’ve not experienced before,” he said. “People are starting to get excited about Glasgow and that didn’t happen a couple of years ago.

“Perhaps Edinburgh’s league position doesn’t reflect the way they are playing, but they are flying in the Heineken Cup – and people want to see two good Scottish teams doing well for once. That’s definitely added to the attraction of this fixture.”