1997–98 Glasgow Warriors season

The 1997–98 season is the second in the history of the Glasgow Warriors as a professional side. During this season the young professional side competed as Glasgow Rugby.

Glasgow Warriors 1997 / 1998
Ground(s)Scotstoun Stadium (Capacity: 10,000)
Coach(es)New Zealand Kevin Greene to November 1997
New Zealand Keith Robertson from November 1997
Captain(s)Scotland Gordon Bulloch
Most capsScotland Gordon Bulloch
Scotland Gordon McIlwham
Scotland Guy Perrett
Scotland Fergus Wallace
Scotland Fraser Stott
Cook Islands Tommy Hayes
Scotland Craig Sangster (10)
Top scorerCook Islands Tommy Hayes (103)
Most triesScotland James Craig (6)
League(s)1997-98 Scottish Inter-District Championship
2nd (Runners Up)
Team kit

This season saw Glasgow Rugby compete in the competitions: the Scottish Inter-District Championship and the European Champions Cup, the Heineken Cup.

Season Overview

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Disquiet grows

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Notwithstanding the 'Gang of Four' pressing for the club teams to be used in Europe instead of the district teams,[1] further disquiet was building against Kevin Greene's dual role as Glasgow Hawks coach and Glasgow Warriors coach. The matter was brought to a head when Greene signed Tommy Hayes for the Glasgow side and Kilmarnock RFC complained that they had not been given an opportunity to bid for the player; as one club team in the district would be assigned the player when not in use by the professional Glasgow side.[2]

Hayes was later assigned the Glasgow Hawks club; Greene's club side.

European highs and lows

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Getting out of the Heineken Cup pool stage was extremely positive for the Glasgow side. However the manner of the defeat in the play-off for the Quarter finals by Leicester Tigers brought further grist to the mill as far as the 'Gang of Four' were concerned. Such was the ease of the win by Leicester that one of their players Dean Richards went off-pitch for a toilet break in the middle of the match without the Tigers replacing him.[3]

The result though probably wasn't helped by the prior announcement that the Leicester Tigers match would be Greene's last in charge of Glasgow. To the SRU this season's European results showed that their current model of professionalism wasn't working and they resolved to change the structure of the newly professional game in Scotland. The effects of this resolve were to be seen in the following season.

Ulster interest in Greene

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Ulster Rugby made overtures to Kevin Greene about being their new Director of Rugby, straight after Glasgow's defeat of Ulster in the Challenge Cup. Greene however turned them down, preferring to go home to his native New Zealand. He had already agreed with Jim Telfer that he would act as an 'agent' for Glasgow Warriors and Scotland in New Zealand by helping out the training of the Silver Thistles. Glasgow later used Greene on the same basis for their 'academy side': the Glasgow Thistles.

"The job description from Ulster landed on my desk this week after they spoke to me at Scotstoun when the game was over. They said they needed a new direction," said Greene. "I am flattered, but I won't be taking up the position. I spoke to Jim Telfer this week and agreed that I will stay in Scotland to see Glasgow's game with Leicester through, and then go back to New Zealand. "We are keen that the Silver Thistles tourists carry on, and we are to investigate the possibility of taking coaches over there as well to learn what they do. I suppose, to some extent, I will be an agent for Scotland back home."[4]

New coach

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Another New Zealander was brought in to coach Glasgow Rugby. Keith Robertson was ear-marked by the SRU's Jim Telfer earlier in the year as a potential candidate for Glasgow when Robertson's Otago Highlanders team toured the UK. He took over Glasgow in November 1997.[1]

Strength and fitness and the Elite Development Programme

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David Jordan, the chief executive of GDRU, acknowledges: "The result against Leicester told us that we have still much to do. We were found wanting in a number of departments, particularly our overall fitness and strength. It is vital that we recognise where out weaknesses are."

Glasgow issued an action plan on how it planned to resolve those weaknesses. It stated: "The Glasgow and District Rugby Union will be aggressively looking beyond Scotland to identify players to enhance and improve the performance of the team. Priority will be given to identifying players with Scottish eligibility. The district will also take full advantage of the use of two non-EU international players."

"The GDRU will utilise the services of a weight training specialist. Every squad member will be given one-to-one training and will work to individually tailored programmes."

In other areas of physical conditioning the plan envisages that there will be a player appraisal programme. "It will be based on setting individual training, fitness and dietary targets. Players will be expected to do training outwith normal squad sessions and be responsible for achieving the targets set," says the action plan.

Glasgow's initial squad of players for next season will be selected next month and between then and March will be the start of what the plan calls the Elite Development Programme that will concentrate on the players who "have the physical and mental ability to represent Glasgow and the Scottish Rugby Union."

"This is the key to the long-term success of Scottish rugby," says the action plan which makes it clear that better identification of talent and an increase in playing numbers are priorities in the next few years.[5]

Team

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Coaches

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Staff

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Chairman: Ken Crichton
Vice-chairman: George Blackie
Convenor / team M=manager:   Hamish Fyfe[7]
Chief executive: David Jordan
Administrative executive: Bill McMurtrie
Committee: Gordon Ash, Norry Boyle, Ewan Cameron, John Dyer, Alasdair Graham, Tom Morrice, Bill Nolan, Willie Talbot (SRU Championship Committee Representative), Dick Thomas (West of Scotland rugby Referees Society Representative)
Secretary: Victoria Mount

Squad

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Hookers
  Gordon Bulloch
  Chris Docherty

Props

  Mike Beckham
  Gary Isaac
  David Jamieson
  Alan Kittle
  Alan Perrie
  Danny Porte
  Gordon McIlwham

Locks
  Charles Afuakwah
  Stephen Begley
  Shade Munro
  Malcolm Norval
  Guy Perrett

 

Loose forwards
  Scott Hutton
  Gordon Mackay
  David McLeish
  Andrew Ness
  John Shaw
  Iain Sinclair
  Fergus Wallace
  Murray Wallace

Half backs
  Fraser Stott
  Jamie Weston

Stand offs
  Tommy Hayes
  Cameron Little
  Erin Cossey

 

Centres
  Danny Ablett
  Alan Bulloch
  Aaron Collins
  Ian Jardine
  Matt McGrandles
  James McLaren
  Chris Simmers

Back three
  James Craig
  Gavin Fraser
  Gerry Hawkes
  Glenn Metcalfe
  Craig Sangster
  Derek Stark

Academy players

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A 22 strong group of age-grade Glasgow District players – known as the Glasgow Thistles – were sent to New Zealand for rugby training under the aegis of Kevin Greene in February 1998.[8]

The 22 Glasgow Thistles: Gillon Armstrong (Kilmarnock), Colin Bartwicki (East Kilbride), Stuart Bryce (Glasgow Southern), Stuart Caulfield (Dalziel), Scott Chassels (Glasgow Academy), Rory Couper (Ardrossan Academicals), Hugh Fulton (Glasgow Academy), Craig Hamilton (Wigtownshire), Rory Kerr (Strathendrick), Douglas Lyall (Hutchesons' GS), Richard Maxton (Stewart's Melville FP), Andrew McGeoch (Glasgow Academy), Ian McInroy (Garnock), Eric Milligan (Stewarton Academy and Kilmarnock), Iain Monaghan (Glasgow Southern), Craig Murdoch (Ayr), Euan Murray (Williamwood HS and Glasgow Southern), Chris Pothan (Kelvinside Academy), Colin Stewart (East Kilbride), Gordon Tyler (Ardrossan Academicals), Jan Vos (Glasgow Southern), Martin Yorston (Lenzie).

Player statistics

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During the 1997–98 season, Glasgow have used 29 different players in competitive games. The table below shows the number of appearances and points scored by each player.

Position Nation Name Scottish Inter-District Championship Heineken Cup Total
Apps
(sub)
Tries Points
kicked
Apps
(sub)
Tries Points
kicked
Apps
(sub)
Total pts
HK   Gordon Bulloch 3 1 0 7 1 0 10 10
HK   Chris Docherty 0 0 0 (1) 0 0 (1) 0
PR   Mike Beckham 1 0 0 2(2) 0 0 3(2) 0
PR   Alan Kittle 2 0 0 5(2) 0 0 7(2) 0
PR   Gordon McIlwham 3 0 0 7 0 0 10 0
PR   Danny Porte 0 0 0 (1) 0 0 (1) 0
LK   Charles Afuakwah 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 0
LK   Stephen Begley 0 0 0 3(1) 0 0 3(1) 0
LK   Malcolm Norval 3 0 0 2 0 0 5 0
LK   Guy Perrett 3 0 0 7 0 0 10 0
BR   Gordon Mackay (1) 0 0 1 0 0 1(1) 0
BR   David McLeish 2(1) 0 0 5 0 0 7(1) 0
BR   John Shaw 2 0 0 1(2) 1 0 3(2) 5
BR   Iain Sinclair 1 0 0 6 0 0 7 0
BR   Fergus Wallace 1(2) 0 0 3(4) 0 0 4(6) 0
BR   Murray Wallace 3 0 0 5 1 0 8 5
SH   Fraser Stott 3 0 0 7 1 0 10 5
FH   Tommy Hayes 3 1 37 7 4 61 10 123
FH   Cameron Little 0 0 0 (3) 1 2 (3) 7
CE   Danny Ablett 0 0 0 1(1) 0 0 1(1) 0
CE   Alan Bulloch 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
CE   Ian Jardine 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0
CE   Matt McGrandles 2 0 0 7 2 0 9 10
CE   Chris Simmers 3 1 0 5 0 0 8 5
WG   James Craig 2 2 0 7 4 0 9 30
WG   Derek Stark 3 1 0 7 1 0 10 10
FB   Gavin Fraser (2) 0 0 (2) 0 0 (4) 0
FB   Glenn Metcalfe 1(1) 0 0 (3) 0 0 1(4) 0
FB   Craig Sangster 3 0 0 7 0 0 10 0

Staff movements

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Coaches

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Personnel in

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Personnel out

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Player movements

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Academy promotions

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None

Player transfers

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Competitions

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Pre-season and friendlies

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Match 1

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10 August 1997
Glasgow  15–49  London Scottish
Try: Alan Bulloch
Andrew Ness
Con: Erin Cossey
Pen: Cameron Little
Preview
Report
Try: Rhodri Davies
Thompson
Johnston
Allan
Hunter
Mick Watson
Con: Derrick Lee x 4
Jamie Cameron
Pen: Derrick Lee x 3
Braidholm, Giffnock
Referee: R Dickson (Madras College FP)

Glasgow – C Sangster (Stirling County); D Stark (Glasgow Hawks), A Bulloch (West of Scotland), C Simmers (Glasgow Hawks), J Craig (West of Scotland); C Little (Glasgow Hawks), F Stott (West of Scotland); G Isaac (Kilmarnock Falcons), G Bulloch (West of Scotland) captain, G McIlwham (Glasgow Hawks), S Begley (Glasgow Hawks), G Perrett (West of Scotland), F Wallace (Glasgow Hawks), D McLeish (West of Scotland), G Mackay (Glasgow Hawks). Replacements – J Weston (Watsonians) for Stott, M Norval (Stirling County) for Begley, G Metcalfe (Glasgow Hawks) for Stark, J McLaren (Stirling County) for A Bulloch, all 40 mins, A Perrie (Glasgow Hawks) for Isaac, A Ness (Glasgow Hawks) for Mackay, E Cossey (Glasgow Southern) for Little.

London Scottish – D Lee; K Milligan, R Davies, R Eriksson, G Thompson; J Cameron, S Cook; P Johnston, J Allan, P Burnell, E Jones, R Hunter, C Tarbuck, M Watson, S Holmes. Replacements – C Smith for Thompson (50 mins), C Morley for Cook (59), T Jankovich for Tarbuck (67), I McAusland for Cameron (68).

Match 2

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16 August 1997
Sale Sharks  33–10  Glasgow
Try: Tom Beim x 3
David Erskine
Simon Mannix
Con: Simon Mannix x 4
ReportTry: Jamie Weston
Con: Cameron Little
Pen: Cameron Little
Referee: G Hughes (Manchester)

Sale Sharks – J Mallinder (captain); C Yates, J Baxendell, A Hadley, T Beim; S Mannix, R Smith; P Smith, S Diamond, A Smith, C Murphy, D Baldwin, P Sanderson, D Erskine, D O'Grady. Replacements: S Howarth, K Ellis, D Williamson, M Driver, M Kirk, A Morris.

Glasgow – C Sangster; D Stark, A Bulloch, I Jardine, G Metcalfe; C Little, F Stott; G Isaac, G Bulloch (captain), G McIlwham, M Norval, G Perrett, M Wallace, D McLeish, I Sinclair. Replacements: C Docherty, F Wallace, C Simmers, J McLaren, M McGrandles, J Craig, D Ablett, G Mackay, C Afuakwah, A Perrie, J Weston.

Match 3

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23 August 1997
West Hartlepool  18–40  Glasgow
Try: ; Ponton
Botham
Con: Benson
Pen: Benson x 2
Preview
Report
Try: Tommy Hayes x 2
Jamie Weston
James Craig
Derek Stark
Gordon McIlwham
Con: Tommy Hayes x 2
Pen: Tommy Hayes x 2
Brierton Lane

West Hartlepool – Farrell; Cavey, Botham, Connolly, John; Benson, Nu'ualitia; Sparks, Challenor, Hathaway, Webb, Schrader, Hood, Ponton, Hyde. Replacements – Knowles for Benson, Peacock for Challenor, Jones for Cavey (all at half time).

Glasgow – Sangster; Stark, A Bulloch, Jardine, Craig; Hayes, Weston; McIlwham, G Bulloch, Beckham, Afuakwah, Perrett, M Wallace, McLeish, Sinclair. Replacements – Kittle for Beckham (60min), Simmers for Jardine (61), Stott for Weston (64), Ness for McLeish (72), Metcalfe for Craig (72), Jardine for Hayes (75).

Match 4

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28 August 1997
Caledonia Reds  16–28  Glasgow
Try: Murray Fraser
Con: Rowen Shepherd
Pen: Rowen Shepherd x 3
ReportTry: Tommy Hayes
Matt McGrandles
Fraser Stott
Con: Tommy Hayes x 2
Pen: Tommy Hayes x 3
Bridgehaugh Park, Stirling
Referee: Referee – A Ireland (Grangemouth).

Caledonia Reds – Caledonia Reds – Shepherd; Renton, Rouse, Carruthers, Longstaff; Easson, Black; Penman, Scott, Manson, White, Grimes, McIvor, Flockhart, Waite. Substitutes – Fraser for Carruthers (39m), Hayter for Waite (40), Herrington for Penman (40), Officer for Rouse (53), Penman for Manson (75).

Glasgow – Simmers; Stark, Bulloch, McGrandles, Metcalfe; Hayes, Stott; McIlwham, Bulloch, Beckham, Afuakwah,[16] Perrett, F Wallace, McLeish, M Wallace. Shaw for McLeish. Substitutes – Kittle for McIlwham (40), Ablett for A Bulloch (65), Porte for Beckham, Docherty for G Bulloch.

Match 5

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5 December 1997
Glasgow  6–22  ACT Brumbies
Pen: Tommy Hayes x 2ReportTry: Sam Cordingley
Josh Birch
Craig McMullen x 2
Con: Robert Todd
Scotstoun Stadium
Referee:   R Duhau

Glasgow – Sangster; Fraser (temporary replacement Hawkes), Bulloch, Collins, Metcalfe; Hayes, Stott (Little); McIlwham (Simmers), Docherty, Beckham (Jamieson); Norval, Perrett; F Wallace (Mackay), M Wallace(capt), Shaw (Hutton).

ACT Brumbies – Kafer(capt); Nasalio, Swan, Birch, Todd; McMullen, Cordingley; Zammit, Paul, Moore, Morahan, Harrison, Plenty, Jacques, Fenukitau.

European Champions Cup

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The previous year's Scottish Inter-District Championship produced a tight finish and Glasgow were just pipped to first place by Caledonia Reds. The second place achieved in the Scottish Inter-District was enough for Glasgow to be entered in the Heineken Cup for the new season 1997–98.

The pool matches saw Glasgow grouped alongside London Wasps; with former player Kenny Logan now starring for the English side. Logan was to put Glasgow to the sword over the two matches, scoring 3 tries against his old team. Nevertheless, Glasgow did well enough to get out the group and snatch a quarter final play-off place. However they were soundly beaten by the Leicester Tigers and their matches against English opposition showed the gulf of professionalism that then existed between Scotland and England.

In the pool matches teams received

  • 2 points for a win
  • 1 points for a draw
Key to colours
     Winner of each pool advances to quarter-final stage
     Advance to quarter-final playoffs

Pool 2

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Team P W D L Tries for Tries against Try diff Points for Points against Points diff Pts
  Wasps 6 6 0 0 31 12 19 243 104 139 12
  Glasgow 6 3 0 3 14 15 −1 132 167 −35 6
  Swansea 6 2 0 4 15 16 −1 157 161 −4 4
  Ulster 6 1 0 5 6 23 −17 95 195 −100 2

Results

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Round 1
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8 September 1997
19:00
Ulster  12–18  Glasgow
Pen: Stuart Laing x 3
Drop: Stuart Laing
Preview
Preview
Report
Report
Try: James Craig
Murray Wallace
Con: Tommy Hayes
Pen: Tommy Hayes x 2
Ravenhill
Attendance: 2,100
Referee: Clayton Thomas (Wales)
Round 2
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Round 3
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21 September 1997
15:00
Glasgow  35–21  Swansea
Try: Derek Stark
Matt McGrandles
James Craig
John Shaw
Con: Tommy Hayes x 3
Pen: Tommy Hayes x 3
ReportTry: Huw Thomas
Chris Anthony
Con: Arwel Thomas
Pen: Arwel Thomas x 3
Scotstoun Stadium
Attendance: 3,000
Referee: Ed Morrison (England)
Round 4
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28 September 1997
15:00
London Wasps  43–5  Glasgow
Try: Nick Greenstock
Kenny Logan x2
Andy Gomarsall
Chris Sheasby
Joe Worsley
Con: Gareth Rees x 5
Pen: Gareth Rees
Preview
Report
Try: James Craig
Loftus Road Stadium
Attendance: 3,825
Referee: David McHugh (Ireland)
Round 5
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4 October 1997
14:15
Swansea  30–22  Glasgow
Try: Scott Gibbs
Rhodri Jones
Con: Aled Williams
Pen: Aled Williams x 6
ReportTry: Matt McGrandles
Con: Tommy Hayes
Pen: Tommy Hayes x 5
St. Helen's
Attendance: 3,000
Referee: Gordon Black (Ireland)
Round 6
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12 October 1997
15:00
Glasgow  30–15  Ulster
Try: Tommy Hayes
Fraser Stott
Penalty Try[17]
Con: Tommy Hayes x 3
Pen: Tommy Hayes
Preview
Report
Report
Pen: Stuart Laing x 5
Scotstoun Stadium
Attendance: 4,000
Referee: Gareth Simmonds (Wales)
Quarter final play-offs
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Scottish Inter-District Championship

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For 1997–98 season the Scottish Inter-District Championship was sponsored by Inter-City Trains. Hence the Championship became known as the Inter-City and the Cup won became the Inter-City Cup.

1997–98 League Table

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Team P W D L PF PA +/- Pts
Edinburgh 3 2 0 1 76 55 +21 4
Glasgow 3 2 0 1 67 49 +18 4
Caledonia Reds 3 2 0 1 49 54 −5 4
Border Reivers 3 0 0 3 34 68 −34 0

Results

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Round 1
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19 October 1997
Glasgow36–20Edinburgh
Try: James Craig x 2
Tommy Hayes
Con: Tommy Hayes x 3
Pen: Tommy Hayes x 5
ReportTry: Ally McLean
Pen: Ally McLean x 5
Scotstoun Stadium
Referee: I Ramage (Berwick)
Round 2
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24 October 1997
Border Reivers9–17Glasgow
Pen: Craig Chalmers x 3ReportTry: Derek Stark
Pen: Tommy Hayes x 4
Philiphaugh, Selkirk
Referee: J Fleming (Boroughmuir)
Round 3
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4 January 1998
Caledonia Reds20–14Glasgow
Try: John Manson
Dave McIvor
Con: Rowen Shepherd x 2
Pen: Rowen Shepherd x 2
ReportTry: Chris Simmers
Gordon Bulloch
Con: Tommy Hayes x 2
Rubislaw Playing Fields
Attendance: 2000
Referee: J Fleming (Boroughmuir)

Competitive debuts this season

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A player's nationality shown is taken from the nationality at the highest honour for the national side obtained; or if never capped internationally their place of birth. Senior caps take precedence over junior caps or place of birth; junior caps take precedence over place of birth. A player's nationality at debut may be different from the nationality shown. Combination sides like the British and Irish Lions or Pacific Islanders are not national sides, or nationalities.

Players in BOLD font have been capped by their senior international XV side as nationality shown.

Players in Italic font have capped either by their international 7s side; or by the international XV 'A' side as nationality shown.

Players in normal font have not been capped at senior level.

A position in parentheses indicates that the player debuted as a substitute. A player may have made a prior debut for Glasgow Warriors in a non-competitive match, 'A' match or 7s match; these matches are not listed.

Tournaments where competitive debut made:

Scottish Inter-District Championship Welsh–Scottish League WRU Challenge Cup Celtic League Celtic Cup 1872 Cup Pro12 Pro14 Rainbow Cup United Rugby Championship European Challenge Cup Heineken Cup / European Champions Cup

Crosshatching indicates a jointly hosted match.

Number Player nationality Name Position Date of debut Venue Stadium Opposition nationality Opposition side Tournament Match result Scoring debut
32   BeckhamMike Beckham Prop 1997-09-08 Away Ravenhill Stadium   Ulster European Champions Cup Win Nil
33   PerrettGuy Perrett Lock 1997-09-08 Away Ravenhill Stadium   Ulster European Champions Cup Win Nil
34   SinclairIain Sinclair Flanker 1997-09-08 Away Ravenhill Stadium   Ulster European Champions Cup Win Nil
35   HayesTommy Hayes Fly half 1997-09-08 Away Ravenhill Stadium   Ulster European Champions Cup Win 8 pts
36   McGrandlesMatt McGrandles Centre 1997-09-08 Away Ravenhill Stadium   Ulster European Champions Cup Win Nil
37   SimmersChris Simmers Centre 1997-09-08 Away Ravenhill Stadium   Ulster European Champions Cup Win Nil
38   KittleAlan Kittle Prop 1997-09-08 Away Ravenhill Stadium   Ulster European Champions Cup Win Nil
39   AblettDanny Ablett (Centre) 1997-09-21 Home Scotstoun Stadium   Swansea European Champions Cup Win Nil
40   FraserGavin Fraser Centre 1997-10-04 Away St. Helen's   Swansea European Champions Cup Win Nil
41   DochertyChris Docherty Hooker 1997-11-01 Away Welford Road Stadium   Leicester Tigers European Champions Cup Loss Nil

Sponsorship

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Official kit supplier

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Canterbury

References

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  1. ^ a b Jim Telfer (2005). Looking back... for once. Mainstream Publishing Company, Limited. ISBN 1-84596-062-9.
  2. ^ "Kilmarnock question the 'dual role' of Glasgow's Kiwi coach". Herald Scotland.
  3. ^ Drysdale, Neil (November 2011). Southern Comfort. Birlinn. ISBN 9780857900975.
  4. ^ "Ulster fail to tempt Greene". Herald Scotland.
  5. ^ "An ambitious statement which the GDRU hope will not prove to be mission impossible Glasgow District spell out plans for the future". Herald Scotland.
  6. ^ "Squads unveiled". Herald Scotland.
  7. ^ a b c "HUBCAT: Record".
  8. ^ "Glasgow send 22 kids to learn from the Kiwis". Herald Scotland.
  9. ^ "Gavin Fraser". sportinggenes.com.
  10. ^ "Hayes offered extension to his contract to stay on Glasgow are keen to keep their prize asset". Herald Scotland.
  11. ^ "Islanders seek to make impact". Herald Scotland.
  12. ^ a b c "Former Hawk takes to water".
  13. ^ "Farewell to an all-time great stand-off". Herald Scotland.
  14. ^ "Kenny Bid to Ko Glasgow".[dead link]
  15. ^ a b c "Fledgling Hawks are not yet fit to leave the nest Back to drawing board for new team as Gala show up too many flaws". Herald Scotland.
  16. ^ "Rebuff leaves bitter taste". Herald Scotland.
  17. ^ Mediaclan 2001. "Glasgow v Ulster rugby match 1997". love-rugby.com.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)