URC: Glasgow coach Danny Wilson wants clarity on 1872 Cup fixture reshuffle

Dylan Coetzee

Glasgow Warriors head coach Danny Wilson is demanding clarity from the United Rugby Championship as to when their 1872 Cup fixtures will be played.

The hyper-infectious Omicron variant prevented the historical rivalry between Glasgow and Edinburgh from continuing in the traditional festive slot.

The postponement means that both sides would compete in the 1872 Cup without their international players which would take away from the spectacle.

Awaiting confirmation

“The team manager has been on the phone trying to find out when these games are going to be rescheduled,” Wilson told The National. “We desperately need to find out because I don’t know if we’re playing the week after next at the moment. 

“I don’t know whether we’re giving the boys time off or if we have travel to arrange, and all those sorts of bits and pieces. We’re hoping for confirmation soon.”

Fixture reshuffling means that games come thick and fast in a period of the season where it was not anticipated putting additional strain on squad depth.

“We’re going into a period where I think we will have more games than originally planned so that will test our squad,” added Wilson. “The original plan was no games on the Six Nations game weekends, only in the fallow weeks, but now there’s a chance that we might have two games.  

“If that is the case, it’s an opportunity to get a look at other boys and allow them to show what they are capable of. That starts with Connacht away this Saturday. 

“They are a side who are going really well, and it will be testing conditions – but it’s a game that the boys are up for.” 

Despite the clash with Connacht being outside the international window, Wilson anticipates being without his internationals.

“A lot of the Exiles will have to go back to their club so a lot of the Scottish-based players will probably have to stay in camp to fulfil training needs,” he explained. “So, we’ll find out later in the week if there are a couple of boys who need games and who Scotland might want to play for us,  

“Hopefully we’ll get a couple back, but we’ll just have to wait and see how the week goes on.” 

Meanwhile, Wilson confirmed that Warriors full-back Josh McKay looks to be struggling for fitness. 

“He’s a doubt if I’m honest – he’ll have to wait and see,” said the coach. “He’s in a boot to give him the best chance to recover, and then we’ll go from there. It’s a minor ankle scenario so I don’t know how that is going to pan out.”