Horne ‘buzzing’ ahead of quarter-final showdown

“I’m buzzing to be back, honestly.”

There’s a glint in George Horne’s eye as he looks ahead to tomorrow’s United Rugby Championship quarter-final in Dublin.

Having been stuck on the sidelines for the last three months due to injury, it’s clear to see that the scrum-half is raring to get back out there in Glasgow colours.

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The fact his return to full fitness coincides with the club’s biggest match of the season only serves to further enhance the excitement of the Scotland star, who took to the field for the first time since February in last weekend’s FOSROC Super6 fixtures.

“I had a good 40 minutes or so for Boroughmuir Bears last week that cleared the cobwebs,” Horne explained to glasgowwarriors.org.

“It was great to be back charging about and getting involved, it was a great run-out.

“I’ve loved being back in training the last while, too, and I can’t wait to get back out there tomorrow.”

The scale of the task in store for Horne and company is one about which the squad is under no illusion, with the hosts coming off a narrow defeat to La Rochelle in last weekend’s Heineken Champions Cup final in Marseille.

Yet the scrum-half is confident in his side’s ability to take the game to Leinster at the RDS tomorrow, as the two teams meet in a knockout match for the first time since the 2019 Guinness PRO14 Final at Celtic Park.

“We know that we need to put in our best performance to beat Leinster tomorrow, but we know this group is more than capable,” said Horne.

“Leinster have set the standard in Europe for the last few years, really, and they’re a top quality outfit. We know the challenge that lies ahead, but it’s a challenge that we’re relishing. The boys have been firing in training this week and we’re in a good place.

“Knockout games against the best teams in the competition – these are the matches that you want to be involved in as a professional.

“They’re a big, physical outfit, so as a nine you want to try and play fast and play in the space rather than let them slow you down.

“We saw how La Rochelle got results against them last week and we know what we need to do tomorrow in Dublin.”

A place in the final four awaits the victors, and for the Warriors that provides a double incentive.

Not only would it bring Danny Wilson’s team one step closer to silverware, but it would give the Warriors one final home match of the 2021/22 season – and a first opportunity to play in front of the Warrior Nation since the start of April.

“Getting the win tomorrow would be absolutely massive,” said Horne.

“It’s a huge task, but the incentive of a home semi-final is all we need. To have a first match in front of the fans for what seems like an eternity is a massive motivating factor.

“We’re going over to Dublin looking to book that next weekend.”