Ryan Wilson was downed by injury three times before he was counted out of last weekend’s clash with Montpellier but Glasgow Warriors remain hopeful that their captain will be fit for the first of the festive derbies this weekend.
The No.8 suffered a head cut and a blow to his throat before finally hobbling off the pitch with an ankle problem as his side submitted to the French club on Saturday and he missed training yesterday, but assistant coach Kenny Murray refused to rule him out of next weekend’s trip to Murrayfield.
“He’s under medical supervision so we’ll see how he gets on and if he can train tomorrow but he’s definitely still in contention for Saturday, but we’ll find out more tomorrow,” he said.
Callum Gibbins, Wilson’s back-row colleague who has led the side in his absence, was in a similar situation, missing yesterday’s session as he continues his recovery from an Achilles problem that ruled him out of the trip to France, but also considered to have every chance of making it at the weekend, while Huw Jones, Rob Harley and Ollie Kebble are all set to return after lay-offs of various lengths.
Considering the nature of the back-to-back encounters with an imposing Montpellier side, Murray seemed relieved to be able to report that the list of those sidelined is moving in the right direction.
“We didn’t suffer much injury wise other than some bumps and bruises, so we’re in a really good place physically from the game at the weekend,” he said.
“We pretty much had 40 plus players training today. There are one or two with minor knocks, but other than that we came through pretty well.”
There was a further morale boost for all concerned with the revelation that Niko Matawalu, the club’s Fijian firecracker of a game-breaker, has agreed to extend what is his second spell with the club, Murray confirming that his popularity within the squad which is matched by his popularity among supporters, had been a factor in earning the 28-year-old a new contract over.
“The key thing for Niko is that he brings so much to our environment,” he said.
“He’s been a great member of the club over the last few years (and) suits the style of rugby we’re trying to play. How we’re trying to attack suits Niko’s game down to a tee. He is quite flexible because he can play at nine, or on the wing or at full-back as well if you need him to, so he covers a lot of positions for us, but he just brings a lot to us.
“It’s great to get him back showing signs of what he was like when he was here before which is always good to see.”
Demonstrating that he has learned how to play to his audience Matawalu meanwhile played his part in setting the tone for derby week in explaining how happy he has been to be back plying his trade in Glasgow.
“It is a lovely town, a beautiful town. I think it’s a more beautiful town than Edinburgh,” he asserted, beaming mischievously.
First signed by Glasgow in 2012 he spent three years with them before he was lured away by Bath and then had a spell across the West Country at Exeter Chiefs, returning to a changed set-up.
“This club is like my family. It was my first professional club when I came from Fiji. It was the first country I knew in the UK (but) lots of things are different,” he observed.
“The club is a bit more professional now. The support is getting bigger and there are a lot of sponsors too. Before, it was more like 1,000 people at a game, but now it is really good to see and to see the boys who are selected for Scotland.”
And while he insisted that those two years he spent away, during which he was largely marginalised, had not been a mistake, he acknowledged that his game is better suited to the Celtic style of play than the more regimented Premiership which tends to stifle his sort of individualism.
“I don’t regret it. I never regret. Sometimes you have to try something different,” said Matawalu.
“I wanted to try the Premiership. I really liked it, but it is a different kind of league and a more physical style.
“I have more freedom to play here. It’s a big difference. The coach knows my abilities to play what’s in front of me, but I have to stay disciplined.”
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