Smith raring to get back to business

Smith raring to get back to business

After his 2018/19 season came to a premature end, Matt Smith is ready to hit the ground running ahead of the new campaign.

A shoulder
injury sustained against the Ospreys in January saw the flanker ruled out of Glasgow
Warriors’ march to the Guinness PRO14 Final, curtailing a season that also saw
him earn a first call-up to a senior Scotland squad ahead of the Guinness Six
Nations.

Speaking to
glasgowwarriors.org, the 22-year-old admitted that he’s relishing his return to
full training, following a frustrating period on the side-lines.

“I’m not
good at watching on when I’m out injured,” he said.

“I hate not
being able to take part – I’d much rather get involved and get in the heat of
it. I maybe enjoy that almost too much sometimes!”

An off-season
break has allowed Smith to return to Scotstoun fully recharged ahead the new
campaign, yet his focus has fully remained on pulling on a Glasgow jersey
sooner rather than later.

“I was away
for two weeks in Turkey, then I was back in here doing rehab work four days a
week,” said Smith.

“It’s a bit
of a shock to the system when you first come back in after an injury, but the
guys prepare you so well, so you don’t feel it too badly.

“The focus
is definitely on getting back fit and ready for the start of the new season,
although I needed a bit more conditioning when I came back!”


Smith hasn’t
been alone in his conditioning work, with the squad’s pre-season preparations
in full flow as Dave Rennie and his squad look to go one better than their
runners-up finish last season. A pre-season double-header against Ulster will
be the first chance for the Stirling-born back-rower to get back in amongst the
action, an opportunity of which the man himself is looking to take full
advantage.

“Those are
the games I’m aiming for as my return, so I’ll be firing for that,” said Smith.

“To get back
playing in front of the fans at Scotstoun in particular is something I’ve been
looking forward to. I’ll be looking to be in contention for that one, and
hopefully get a decent run out.”

To secure your tickets for the visitof Ulster on Saturday 14 September, click here.

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