Pete Murchie confident despite Glasgow form dip ahead of URC quarter-final

Pete Murchie is unfazed by Glasgow’s sketchy form heading into the United Rugby Championship play-offs because he recalls that they were not firing on all cylinders before winning the title last year.

The defending champions host Stormers in the quarter-final on Friday after losing four of their last five matches, and each of their last three.

However, Warriors defence coach Murchie is mindful of the fact they lost two of their last three games of the regulation season a year ago before pulling it all together when it mattered most to defeat Stormers, Munster and Bulls and claim the championship.

“We’re not in the business of losing games and being happy about it,” he said. “But in the last game against Leinster (a 17-5 defeat) we looked a lot more like ourselves, based on the amount of young players we had playing and how we fronted up.

“It was definitely a step forward in terms of performance. Last year, I wouldn’t say we were exactly humming in the three or four games before this period, so it is about putting our best quality performance out this weekend.”

Glasgow’s bid to make an impact in the play-offs has been aided by the fact Scott Cummings, Huw Jones and Sione Tuipulotu – all of whom were called up by the British and Irish Lions earlier this month – have returned in recent weeks following lengthy injury lay-offs.

Murchie said it was a notable boost to be able to call on players of the calibre of Scotland captain Tuipulotu – who played the first half against Ulster – at such a crucial phase of the season.

“Obviously players who have got experience of having done it before, international players who have played on the bigger stage, he’s obviously got massive leadership qualities for us,” Murchie said.

“He did pretty well in his 40 minutes against a tough opposition. He didn’t look rusty at all, so it’s big to have someone of his quality back available for these games.”

The other member of Glasgow’s Lions quartet, Zander Fagerson, is still recovering from a calf injury and it is still unclear whether he will be able to play again for his club this term, but Murchie reported that the Scotland tighthead is “progressing well”.

“He’s doing bits and pieces out there today,” Murchie said. “What that looks like for Glasgow still remains to be seen, but there’s definitely no concerns when it comes to the Lions.

“He’s coming along well, but obviously the further we go in the competition, the better the chance it gives you in terms of Glasgow, but he’s obviously not ready for this weekend.”