Sione Tuipulotu is set to return for Glasgow this weekend. Image © Craig Watson 
IT will take a lot more than simply having Sione Tuipulotu back to help Glasgow get over the “mental scars” left from their previous outing against Leinster.
Warriors return to Dublin this weekend looking to avenge their 52-0 Champions Cup thrashing a month ago, the result that sparked an alarming recent drop-off in form, culminating in Saturday’s heavy loss to Benetton in Treviso.
That saw Franco Smith’s side slip into third place in the URC table and, barring an unlikely win in the Aviva, there is every chance they will slide down another spot to finish the season in fourth place – the same position as last year.
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Nigel Carolan, to his credit, does not try to sugarcoat it, the Glasgow attack coach admitting the team have struggled of late to find their best form. He did, however, also point out that it was a similar story this time a year ago and everyone knows how that one ended up panning out.
“I think there’s still a few mental scars from the last time,” admitted the Irishman ahead of the Leinster rematch. “It was the quarter-final of the Champions Cup and it’s hard to put our fingers on it, but maybe there was a little bit of tension and pressure that we put on ourselves.
“Not underestimating Leinster, they’re a quality team, no matter who they put out. Obviously, they put over 70 points on Zebre at the weekend, so there’s quality. Again, no matter which team they put out for us, you still try and focus on yourself.
“It’s as clichéd as it can be, but we try and put our best game on the field. We know when we do that, we ask some good questions. When we don’t, it’s trouble. We have some tough days at the office when we don’t get our best game out there. I think even last weekend at Benetton is another one of those. Some things go against us and maybe we drop the heads, the energy gets sapped out of the group and it’s hard to get back on track.
“Considering the quality and the experience that are absent from the squad at the moment, there’s guys learning how to do that. I think we found last year, particularly this time, we came back from South Africa and we had a bit of adversity there.
“We didn’t play particularly well against Zebre in the last game of the season, but we learned from that and I think we’ve got a new bunch with all the injuries who are learning to deal with those as well.
“I think until we get to the end and all these guys return, there’s going to be days where we’re going to have to take the hit, where it hasn’t gone that well for us, but hopefully we’ve learned along the way.”
Tuipulotu’s return should help both on and off the field. The Scotland captain has been sidelined for four months with a pectoral muscle injury but is ready to play a role at the Aviva, either from the start or off the bench. It is a timely comeback.
“Fingers crossed, we hope to have him involved this week, either starting or off the bench at least,” added Carolan. “He’s in good spirits. He’s ticked all the boxes medically. I know the medical people are happy that he’s gone the distance that he has and that he’s in a good position.
“I think there’s been a bit of patience. He probably could have played a couple of weeks ago, but they wanted to make sure he’s right, particularly with what’s down the road in terms of the business end of our season and that important stuff [the British and Irish Lions tour] in Australia in July as well.
“Sione is not just a fantastic rugby player. In many ways, he’s like a spiritual leader among the group and he really drives the energy. It’s that experience and it’s having players like that that gets the best out of everybody else in the squad, particularly with all the young guys you have.
“Whatever he says, they’ll sit on everything that he says. Every word, they take it as given and they’ll follow his lead as best as possible. Going back to the Aviva, I think he’s going to be a crucial element this week. If we get the energy right, hopefully we get a performance. If we get the performance right, it can lead to results. That’s the sequence.”
As one player finally comes off the Warriors’ injury chart, another one or two go on it, with hookers Johnny Matthews and Gregor Hiddleston both picking up knocks in the defeat to Benetton.
“Johnny hyperextended his knee,” revealed Carolan. “Thankfully he has got lax ligaments, so he can take a bit of punishment, to be fair. He’s in a knee brace at the moment and he’s managing that throughout this week. Whether he’ll be available for this weekend, it could be too early, but it’s not a long-term injury, thankfully.
“Gregor got a bang on his shoulder so we had a one-legged and one-armed hooker at the weekend. It doesn’t help, but it’s just part of the challenges that we’re facing. At the moment, those guys are getting rolled out every week and they’re taking a bit of punishment, to be fair.”
The purge of non-Scottish-qualified players continues, with Sebastian Cancelliere set to complete a move to Hindu Club, his former club back home in Argentina. Carolan admits it would be a blow to lose the winger but insists it’s not a move of Glasgow’s making.
“Look, I think it wouldn’t be all on Glasgow Warriors if that’s true. Seb has been a massive contributor to our success over the last few years. I guess with the reduction in foreign player availability and what we can accommodate in our squads, the powers that be are maybe hinting that we’re trying to bring more Scottish players through.
“But Seb has been and continues to be a great contributor to us. He’s been there in all the big games and scoring tries. So look, if that’s the case, he’s going to be a big loss.
“When our international players are away, these are the guys that step up and carry us through. They’re important for us, for the club, and they’ve done really well. I don’t think Glasgow Warriors would be in as good a place without the help of some of these guys over the last number of years.
“It’s definitely [about finding] a balance. If they’re blocking the road of a Scottish player, I think there’s a conversation to be had there. But I think when they’re contributing and bringing young Scottish players through, I think there’s value to be had in them.
“Those guys like Henco Venter and Sebastian, have been really positive for us. I think it’s a healthy thing. You can’t have a team overloaded with it, but I think a certain number helps to maintain the quality while we bring the young lads through.”
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