Perennial playoff contenders Glasgow Warriors have their sights set on returning to the business end of the season, as the men from the west gear up to resume action following an impressive start to the 2025/26 campaign.
Franco Smith’s squad is keeping pace with the leaders in the BKT United Rugby Championship, currently sitting third in the table with four wins from five matches.
The Warriors kicked off their season in style with a 35-19 victory over Hollywoodbets Sharks at Scotstoun, captain Stafford McDowall among the five try-scorers. Summer arrival Dan Lancaster and debutant Kerr Yule, who became Scotland’s most-capped U20 player of all time, also featured in the squad.
After a heart-breaking last-minute defeat to Benetton in Treviso in round two, Glasgow returned to winning ways in round three. Johnny Matthews celebrated his 100th appearance for the club by scoring one of seven tries in a 49-0 demolition of the Dragons, much to the delight of Warrior Nation.
The momentum continued in Bridgend, as the Warriors secured a 42-17 victory over the Ospreys, before finishing the opening block of fixtures at Scotstoun in perfect fashion. Jack Dempsey’s return from injury was marked by a BKT Player of the Match performance, helping Glasgow to a 21-12 win over the Vodacom Bulls, last season’s runners-up.
With 21 Warriors returning from involvement in Scotland’s Quilter Nations Series squad, December promises to be high-octane as the Investec Champions Cup resumes. Glasgow’s European campaign begins with a trip to English heavyweights Sale Sharks, followed by a mouth-watering clash at Scotstoun against European rugby’s most successful club, Stade Toulousain, boasting talents such as Antoine Dupont and Blair Kinghorn.
All attention then turns to derby season, with the festive period kicking off in style. Hampden Park will host the opening match of the 1872 Cup, where the Warriors aim to build on last season’s 33-14 win over Edinburgh in front of a record crowd of 27,538 at one of Scotland’s most iconic stadia.
The action starts next week – and fans won’t want to miss a single moment.
