Budge Pountney knows Gregor Townsend well from their days with Scotland and at Northampton Saints together – and he believes the Glasgow Warriors head coach has what it takes to lead his side into the Champions Cup knock-out stages this season.
Former back-row Pountney, who won 31 caps for Scotland between 1998 and 2002, spent his entire club career with the Saints, so is the perfect man to run the rule over tomorrow’s European clash between the Warriors and the English side.
He lifted the top European trophy with the Saints back in 1999/2000 and also has fond memories of playing with Townsend when the latter was at Franklin’s Gardens between 1995 and 1998.
“Gregor was a great player for both the Saints and Scotland and some of the skills he had were out of this world,” said the 42-year-old.
“Watching from afar in recent years it has been great to see how – as a coach – he has moved Glasgow Warriors on to the next level and he really gives the young players confidence and seems to turn them into leaders very quickly.
“They play without fear and seem to want to play for him and that is no surprise really. I managed to catch up with him a few months back and his enthusiasm for coaching was there for all to see.
“He has cracking man management skills and is very approachable as well as being ambitious. I know he is desperate to try and get the Warriors out of the pool stages this time around. They certainly have the quality in their ranks to give it a very good go.”
The Warriors' opening Pool Three match with Racing 92 in Paris last weekend was postponed while the Saints edged past the Scarlets in unconvincing fashion.
Pountney believes that both sides will be looking to get off to a quick start at Scotstoun tomorrow evening.
He explained: “Glasgow really do like to keep the ball in hand and take the game to the opposition while Northampton’s strength in recent years has been their defence.
“Gregor will know that home games are so crucial in this event so he will want his big players to fire early on.
“Jonny Gray is only 21 and has been made captain, but he is a real talent and I love the way that Gregor gives these up-and-comers control of the team and then says ‘go out there and do it’. It should be a fascinating contest this one.”
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