Every game is a must-win in the Guinness PRO14 for here on in if the Glasgow Warriors are to be absolutely sure of their customary play-off spot in May, says assistant coach Kenny Murray.
Saturday’s 29-19 loss to Edinburgh was their fifth in the league this season already, and Murray accepts that they can’t lose many – or any – more if they want to be involved in the knockout stages and to ensure a place in next season’s Heineken Champions’ Cup.
“We’ve made it really tough for ourselves not getting any points against Edinburgh, the week before was good to get the points and get the win more importantly.
“Every game is tough now, Treviso away this weekend will be equally tough compared to Edinburgh, they have been going well. Every game now becomes a bit of a must win for us.”
Morale and focus are not an issue, he added.
“We have that desperation for points now, but the good thing about rugby is that you only have a few days to mull over a defeat and then you are straight back into preparing for the opposition in the next game.
“We are disappointed with last weekend against Edinburgh, we came in in a good position from the week before but our inability to keep hold of the ball meant we put ourselves under pressure. It hurt us in the second half in particular.”
Desperation, however, might “work the other way for us”, thinks Murray.
“The last two years we have probably been too comfortable going into games, we had such a difference in points advantage whereas now we need the points.
“Last year was a good example, we needed to win every game in our last 12 games to stay ahead of Munster in our conference.
“We did that – it was real pressure rugby. Now we are in the same boat, we have to win games. The boys react well to that.”
Benetton are a tough test in Treviso these days, he agreed, and are a stiff test for the first of those games.
“They have been a good side over the last few seasons and this year, at home in particular, they are formidable,”added Murray.
“There are not many teams now that go there expecting to win, you go there knowing you have to play well to get a result. We have done it in the past so we have to have the confidence we can do that.”
In the meantime, selection becomes a complicated procedure for the Warriors, juggling playing protocols dictated from the international management while trying to stay competitive in this year’s Heineken Champions Cup, where they still retain interest with matches against Exeter and Sale to come in January.
“It won’t be an issue, it is just the way it is,” said Murrau. “A few guys are on that four or five games limit for Scotland managed players, but we plan weeks in advance who we will play in what game.
“That changes a little bit depending on injury. We knew for the Treviso game what the combinations were going to be so we are well ahead.
“It may change a little after Edinburgh, depending on injuries and what combinations we might want to have a look at, but it won’t be huge.
“Adam (Hastings) has played five in a row so he may well be rested next week, though he got a head knock against Edinburgh and might not be there for consideration anyway. It doesn’t make a huge difference to what we plan to do next week.”
