Wilson is jealously guarding hard-won Glasgow No 8 spot

The team was a poor shadow of itself in the first half of their last European outing, away to Leinster, then claimed a dogged win over Ulster and stuttered through an abysmal game in Newport in the return to RaboDirect Pro12 action, but if anyone epitomises the spirit in the current Warriors squad it is No 8 Ryan Wilson.

He was probably as disappointed as Johnnie Beattie when the Scotland back row was left out of Andy Robinson’s World Cup squad, believing his hoped-for run of games might have been lost. But, instead, he rose to the challenge and emerged as one of Glasgow’s brightest beacons of hope in the early part of the season and, with all the World Cup performers back and Beattie again pushing hard for his place, he remains the hungry man in possession of the No 8 jersey.

He knows the team has not hit its straps in recent weeks and admits his own performance in his last outing, against Ulster, was a drop-off what he had come to expect, but he views Montpellier on Sunday as the perfect antidote to a sluggish few weeks. “It is a great game to be involved in,” he said, “and I am really looking forward to getting back into it and playing my part in giving us a chance in this pool.

“This is a massive game. We’re not in a bad place in the league, but we want to improve and make an impact in Europe as well. I’ve never played against French side, so it’s a good chance to test myself against one of the Top 14’s best clubs, but we’ve also got a record at Firhill of winning seven of our last eight here, so it’s not going to be easy for them here.”

Wilson acknowledged the dangers within a star-studded Montpellier side, but several – including skipper Fulgence Ouedraogo, Georgian flanker Mamuka Gorgodze and locks Thibaut Privat and Mickael DeMarco – are missing this weekend. The Glasgow pack will have to watch out for Montpellier’s new signing, however, Joe Tuineau.

The 6ft 8in Fijian-born lock played American Football with the New York Jets and Giants before returning to his New Zealand home, where he played with the Highlanders and, this year, stepped into the Tongan national side thanks to his Tongan father.

That is an indication of the strength in depth a club with a significantly superior budget, but may also indicate that Montpellier are taking a familiar French approach in caring less about this game than the return at home. Glasgow’s strength in depth is also growing, however. They have retained just two players from the XV that started last weekend’s 14-14 draw at the Dragons – Peter Murchie and Jon Welsh – in what coach Sean Lineen called his toughest selection yet. With Colin Shaw out with a head knock, Rory Lamont comes straight into the side having impressed in training this week, and as well as Beattie Moray Low misses out on the match day 22. Wilson insists that underlines the intensity of the desire to play for Glasgow running through the squad, and he cares not for what approach the French visitors may take.

“That doesn’t affect us at all,” he said. “I expect them to come here with all guns blazing. We definitely want to win the home game and the away one because the players we’ve got want to prove they deserve to keep the jersey and be in the team to go down to Montpellier next week, and then the team to play Edinburgh in the 1872 Cup.”

As we turn to the new year Scotland and the RBS Six Nations hoves into view, and if Wilson is still owning the Glasgow No 8 jersey he will be on Andy Robinson’s radar. He is still only 22, but the big challenge for the 6ft4in back row in his second season has been to turn the promise and accolades that follow a newcomer who simply shows he was not a failed signing into the consistent quality displays of one expected to lead the team and he is making a good fist of that. And the Scotland No 8 jersey is not nailed on to anyone right now.

The under-20 cap added: “There is an opportunity for all of us to push for the Scotland camp, but we have to focus on Glasgow. I am still learning and improving every week. If the chance comes I will take it because it’s something I’ve wanted for some time. But Beattie was a bit unlucky not to get in the squad this week and Chris Fusaro is pushing John Barclay really hard so he is unlucky to miss out on a starting place. That’s what it comes down to – earning the jersey and earning the chance to keep it. I’ve done that so far but I have to keep doing it. And nothing would do that better I think than beating a French side this weekend and improving our record in the Heineken Cup.”