GLASGOW will play Exeter Chiefs in the pool stage of the Champions Cup this season for the fourth time in five years. The Warriors’ other opponents are also very familiar - French club La Rochelle, who they met at this part of the competition two years ago.
Danny Wilson’s side lost 42-0 to the Chiefs last season in what was very much a low point of the campaign, but the head coach believes his team have improved significantly since.
“That last game against Exeter was a little bit of a perfect storm,” he said after the draw. “We had a long, long period when our boys were away [on Scotland duty] and came back six days before you’re going to play a very good, in-form side.
“Exeter play a very physical game. That’s how they’ve progressed – as well as playing good rugby. And La Rochelle are always a phenomenally physical huge pack of forwards with a big carrying game.
“But our physicality really improved in the tail-end of last season. That helped us to get results that we weren’t getting earlier on in the year. We need to have that when we come against those types of sides.”
As last season, the Champions Cup is initially split into two leagues of 12, with each team playing two others home and away: Glasgow, Exeter, and La Rochelle are in Pool A. The pool games start in December, with dates of fixtures still to be finalised. The top eight teams from each of the leagues go through to the last 16.
Meanwhile, Wilson said he was delighted but not surprised to learn that Glasgow scrum-half Ali Price has been selected to start for the British & Irish Lions on Saturday. “I think he’s been excellent. I’m really pleased for him. He deserves his selection as far as I’m concerned - I think he’s been the stand-out 9, the in-form 9, and now he’s got his reward.”
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