From Rugby World · · 1m
Glasgow Warriors aim for URC title after 2024 loss
Glasgow Warriors seek URC 2026-27 title after narrow 2024 semi-final defeat.
In brief
Glasgow Warriors seek URC 2026-27 title after narrow 2024 semi-final defeat. Glasgow Warriors aim to win URC 2026-27 title after losing 2024 semi-final to Bulls. Originally reported by Rugby World.
Glasgow Warriors 2024 URC finish
Glasgow Warriors topped the URC table last year but lost a narrow semi-final to the Bulls in 2024.
“Glasgow Warriors topped the URC table last year. Can they claim the title this time out?”
Key 2024 collapse
Glasgow lost a 21-3 lead to the Bulls in the 2024 URC semi-final due to South African strength and poor discipline.
“That semi defeat felt like the end of the world to the Scotstoun crew, who saw a 21-3 lead vanish through South African brute force and their own ill-discipline and inaccuracy”
Key departures
Glasgow lose Jack Dempsey, Huw Jones, Adam Hastings, Johnny Matthews, Jamie Bhatti and Sione Vailanu.
“Will there be a hangover from that late-season collapse? And how will they cope with the loss of a host of influential performers, Jack Dempsey, Huw Jones, Adam Hastings, Johnny Matthews, Jamie Bhatti, Sione Vailanu?”
Stafford McDowall
Centre Stafford McDowall leads by deed and word, preferred to Huw Jones last season and a key lineout jumper.
“You would struggle to identify someone more consistent than Stafford McDowall . The centre leads by deed and word on both sides of the ball, to the extent that he was regularly preferred to Jones last term and is an obvious choice as captain whenever Kyle Steyn and Sione Tuipulotu are absent”
Macenzzie Duncan
No 8 Macenzzie Duncan is a young player with punch who could earn Scotland Test selection in 2027.
“Macenzzie Duncan is a No 8 of real punch and he can expect more exposure post Dempsey, whose exit was described as a "gut punch"”
2026-27 prediction
Glasgow Warriors expected to finish fourth in URC and reach Champions Cup Round of 16.
“Glasgow Warriors 2026-27 prediction: A slight dip. Fourth in the URC, and the Round of 16 in the Champions Cup”
The takeaway
Glasgow Warriors aim to win URC 2026-27 title after losing 2024 semi-final to Bulls.
