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Richer, classier, hungrier Glasgow favourites against Toulon

Yahoo Sports

Glasgow Warriors go into their Champions Cup quarter-final against Toulon as favourites against a side that got the better of them in the past, writes Tom English.

Those with half-decent memories will recall the dark days of the Glasgow Warriors, the endless seasons of irrelevance in Europe, the heavy beatings, the sense of fatalism, the feeling that contending for the biggest prize in European rugby was for others - the sharks and not the minnows. Now, thanks to the brilliance of Franco Smith's coaching, they are among the great whites themselves. Toulon, their visitors in Saturday's Champions Cup quarter-final at Scotstoun, have won this tournament three times, but Glasgow are the favourites.

Red hot and irresistible. Between Europe and the bread and butter of the United Rugby Championship, Glasgow have played 19 games this season and have won 16 of them, 14 with four-try bonus points. Attacking rugby is in their DNA.

There isn't a jugular they won't go for. But, while their ambition and their elan is the thing that defines them, it's not the only thing. If it's true that a team reveals its heart and soul in the strength of their defence then Glasgow are in the rudest health.

Daly and Onyeama-Christie out for rest of season Saints boosted by return of Smith and Mitchell Sale 'not there to make up numbers' against Leinster Yes, they've played five and won five and have landed five bonus points in their Champions Cup campaign, but they've also conceded the fewest number of tries. These guys are not rugby's Harlem Globetrotters even though they have showbiz throughout the ranks. They are a beautifully balanced team of bludgeon and rapier.

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