Al Kellock, the Glasgow Warriors captain, has said that he will set history aside when he leads his side out against Munster at Scotstoun tonight with a prize of a first-ever appearance in the RaboDirect PRO12 final at stake.
The Warriors have reached the PRO12 semi-finals stage on three previous occasions - in 2010, 2012 and 2013 - but they played away from home each time and lost all three games. Yet while agreeing that those experiences can inform the side's preparations for this evening's tie, Kellock pointed out that more recent events can offer more inspiration.
"You can revisit some of the memories, some of the disappointments but there are probably healthier things to focus on," said the 32-year-old. "I talk a lot about motivating factors and there are countless motivating factors for this game.
"What has gone on the last few years has got to be at the back of some minds, but I would rather we were focusing on the eight games in a row we have just won, the momentum we have that will push us forwards.
"But sometimes the disappointment is a good way of focusing you on the foundations, the hard, hard work it is going to take to win a semi-final, not just scoring tries but getting from ruck to ruck, scrum to scrum, the stuff you have got to get right."
No side has ever won a PRO12 play-off away from home, but Munster have vast experience of knockout rugby and they also won the regular-season match at Scotstoun last October. Glasgow gained revenge by winning the return match in Limerick last month, but Kellock believes the partisan crowd will help his side.
"It has that home game feel because we are not staying in a hotel," he explained. "We are doing our usual routine for a home game. There is excitement from the players and it is about keeping a lid on it."
Communications giant BT has emerged as the front-runner to secure naming rights at Murrayfield, the home of Scottish rugby. Officials have refused to comment, but it is understood that a seven-year deal, believed to be worth up to £20m, is close to being signed.
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