Cardiff v Glasgow Warriors: Danny Wilson goes back 'home' but expects tough test from Blues

Sunday’s game against Cardiff Blues will be a sort of homecoming for Glasgow Warriors coach Danny Wilson.

Glasgow Warriors head coach Danny Wilson lead Cardiff Blues to European success in 2018. Picture: Ian Rutherford/PA

Wilson led the Welsh side to European glory in Challenge Cup two years ago, beating Gloucester in the final.

He will be back among familiar faces this weekend but the setting will be a little strange. With Cardiff’s stadium out of action due to it being used as a field hospital during the coronavirus crisis, the Pro14 match is taking place at Rodney Parade in Newport.

It’s been a tough start to the season for Glasgow and their new coach who is coping in trying circumstances. Wilson is without 24 players due to international commitments and injuries and the recent run of fixtures could hardly have been much harder.

“We played Leinster, Ulster and Munster over a three-game period, three very strong sides who were all unbeaten. Probably the best three teams at the moment,” said Wilson, whose side have lost five out of six.

“Cardiff have had mixed results and have put out mixed teams. What I know about Cardiff is if you put out a backline of Tomos Williams, Jarrod Evans, Willis Halaholo, Rey Lee-Lo, Hallam Amos, Matthew Morgan and so on – who are still available – it’s still strong. That’s the way they like to play. They’ve lost a few more forwards than in the past but they are still a strong enough squad. At home they will be a tough challenge.

“It will be great to see some old faces. But yeah, strange times, isn’t it, going to play Cardiff Blues at Rodney Parade in front of nobody.”

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this article. We're more reliant on your support than ever as the shift in consumer habits brought about by coronavirus impacts our advertisers.

If you haven't already, please consider supporting our trusted, fact-checked journalism by taking out a digital subscription.