George Horne explains desire to play so soon after Scotland disappointment

Glasgow Warriors' George Horne celebrates winning a penalty try during the URC win over Leinster.

Relieved, because he was able to celebrate a victory again – a hard-fought 43-25 result at home to Leinster – as opposed to the two crucial defeats Scotland had suffered at the hands of South Africa and Ireland. And delighted, because he was able to mark his 100th Warriors appearance with a try barely a minute after coming off the bench.

The scrum-half was not as involved as he would have liked in the pool games in France, beginning three as a substitute and being ruled out of the other by concussion. Yet he took a full share in the squad’s dejection at being unable to qualify for the quarter-finals.

“We knew we had the game and the players to win against Ireland and South Africa, but we didn’t put in a performance,” he said. “You have to turn up in these big Test matches and win. We didn’t do that and that was hard to take. After you’ve had a disappointment the best way to get over it is to get back out there and play. It was so nice being back in Glasgow again, seeing all the boys again, all the staff.

“I was delighted to be back and it was easy to get up for my 100th game. There was a chance to go out there and put some of those wrongs right. It was a nice way to get over it. I was just so looking forward to getting out there and getting the win – which we did.”

It was all the more an occasion to celebrate for Horne as he was able to share it with older brother Pete - now an assistant coach with the Warriors – and other family members who were watching from the stand. “I always say playing with him was the highlight of my career,” Horne said of his fellow-Scotland international. It would have been cool if he had been on the field still. But we have a great relationship and I am thankful to have him as an older brother.”