How do Glasgow avoid season 'fizzling out in disappointment'?
[BBC] So Glasgow return from South Africa with their tail firmly between their legs. Two blow-out defeats after European disappointment mean Glasgow have lost three on the bounce, just like they did to end the regular season last year. For all the hype and expectation, the fixture run to end the season has definitely been against the Warriors.
Rugby is certainly a squad game and Glasgow have had to dive deep down the reserve list in recent games to search players. It is great to see so many young players getting opportunities and it does future-proof the side down the road. However, Glasgow now see themselves dropping down the table and are vulnerable in second place.
Only a matter of weeks ago, it looked like Glasgow would be top seed. Now the question is if Glasgow can finish even with a home quarter-final. A break week this week could be the gap in schedule the squad needs.
The front line injuries are well documented, but with recent results it really highlights the value that George Horne has. The tempo he delivers from the ruck, but also his heart and passion, is really difficult to replace. Add in Jamie Dobie being absent since the Six Nations and Glasgow have had a vulnerability through the nine position that seriously weakens their game plan.
Jack Oliver and Ben Afshar are young and rough around the edges and I'm sure their time will come, but Glasgow could really do with the return of Horne to the team. It's not an easy finish to the season in any shape or form - Cardiff at home up next where Scotstoun will expect a result. Five points in that one could go a long way to securing a good finish, but it's the final game on the road to Ulster that could prove pivotal.