Glasgow Warriors ‘genuine contenders’ in Champions Cup

Glasgow Warriors are “genuine contenders” to win European club rugby’s top prize this season, according to assistant coach Nigel Carolan.

After clinching the United Rugby Championship in South Africa last term, Carolan feels the side can properly challenge for the Champions Cup if they can find even greater consistency to the form that has them “fighting on all fronts” against the best teams on the continent.

“With the way we ended last year, we’ve proven we’re one of the best teams around when we’re on it,” he said.

“Of late, we’re just a little bit inconsistent and there have been a lot of guys out injured but we’re there or thereabouts.

“We showed in the Sale game, especially in that first half, that we can rip teams apart. It’s now about delivering that week on week.”

The opening 38-19 victory over Sale was followed by a single point defeat away to Toulon, meaning that a win over Racing 92 at Scotstoun on Friday should be enough to seal a place in the last 16.

From there, Carolan is targeting a run all the way to the final in Cardiff in May.

“We spoke about being genuine contenders in the URC last year and this year we’re talking about being genuine contenders in the Champions Cup,” said the Irishman.

“At home against Sale and away to Toulon, even with the teams that we did have out, we’ve shown that we’re very competitive and when we put our full game together we’re definitely one of the most exciting teams around.”

Glasgow, beaten finalists in the second-tier Challenge Cup in 2023, currently sit second in Pool 4, one point behind Toulon.

After hosting Paris-based Racing 92, Warriors travel to Harlequins the following Saturday in their final group match. The top four from six advance to the knockout phase.