Lineen urges fans to help Glasgow to play-off place

GLASGOW Warriors coach Sean Lineen has called on supporters to help propel the club into the RaboDirect PRO12 play-offs by beating Connacht on Saturday week in their final match at Firhill.

The game will see Lineen’s team seek to end the season on a high. They enter the fixture knowing a draw will be sufficient to guarantee a play-off berth, with Sunday’s vital 13-8 win away to Benetton Treviso having kept them in fourth position.

The Warriors still have work to do to be sure of a spot in the semi-finals, their lead over fifth-placed Scarlets currently standing at four points.

Lineen, therefore, is keen to pursue the win which could secure third place and wants the Warriors fans to help make it the most memorable of nights for his players.

“The Connacht game has all the ingredients to be a fantastic occasion for everyone involved with Glasgow Warriors,” he explained.

“Our supporters have been absolutely magnificent all season, helping us close out some tight battles at Firhill, and we’d love to see the place rocking again on Saturday 5 May.

“Connacht will make it incredibly tough for us to get the result we need, so it would be great to have another big Warriors crowd behind us as we push on for the win.”

The game will mark the Warriors’ last match at Firhill before their move to Scotstoun Stadium. The club will be sad to say goodbye to the Maryhill venue and are keen to depart in positive spirits.

“Firhill has been a good home for us, and we’ll be doing everything we can to give the fans one last terrific memory to take away from the place,” added Lineen.

Munster are in the bronze position at present, with a one-point advantage over the Warriors.

The reigning RaboDirect PRO12 champions host Ulster on 5 May, when all the round 22 games will kick-off simultaneously at 7.30pm.

With Leinster and Ospreys having already secured home semi-finals, the Warriors’ game against Connacht takes on added importance and is sure to be a high-octane occasion.

The match will also give the club’s supporters the opportunity to salute departing head coach Lineen, defence coach Gary Mercer and a number of players who will take their leave at the end of the season.

Lineen will become the Scottish Rugby Union’s head of player acquisition after leaving his role as Glasgow head coach. Lineen, who has been on Glasgow’s coaching staff for nine years, will help recruit and develop players for Warriors and Edinburgh in his newly-created role, and will also coach Scotland Under-20s.