EVERY player wants to win trophies for himself and for his team, but for Mike Cusack there is an additional motivation in Glasgow Warriors' bid for the PRO12 title - ensuring that retiring colleagues Al Kellock and Dougie Hall go out on a high note.
Kellock, the lock forward and captain, is to retire at the end of the season along with Hall, the hooker, and assistant coach Shade Munro. Cusack believes it would be a fitting tribute to them if his team can get past Ulster in the play-off semi-final at Scotstoun on Friday night, and then go on to win the final itself in Belfast a week on Saturday.
"I think that's a massive factor," the 30-year-old prop said. "This is a great opportunity to try and win some silverware. The fact it is Al and Dougie's last season is great for them and it is a big driving factor for us to try to get across the line.
"Al is a good leader. He has the boys going in the right direction all the time. He is the focal point of Glasgow Rugby - he's a good captain.
"He's always calm under pressure. You get the heat of the battle, but he retains his composure. When you're going out for a big game you feel that you want to follow him, stand alongside him and give it a good go.
"[To send him off with some silverware] would be great for everyone at the club. We've been working at it for a good few years now. We got to the final stages last year and we have a massive test this weekend against Ulster. Hopefully we can have another good performance like last week."
The loss of three such influential figures will leave a big hole to fill, but Cusack is confident that the positive culture epitomised above all by Kellock can continue in their absence. "It starts with Al, but there's a good leadership group. We will be looking to develop that further and I'm sure it can continue," Cusack added.
"There are changes, but the coaching staff we have here are always looking to improve and develop. They are bringing a few players in as well, and there will probably be a couple more. All they will do is strengthen the team. We also have good young players coming through."
Having been out of action for the best part of two years with injury and illness, Cusack himself feels like one of those good young players, especially given the fact that props tend to take longer to reach their peak than most other players. At present he is looking no further than life as a Warrior, but having lived here for four years is now qualified to play for Scotland, and would certainly not discount a call-up to the national squad.
"This is a good part of the season to be feeling fresh," he added. "It has been frustrating at times, taking up a couple of knocks and niggles along the way, but I'm feeling good now.
"A lot of the Scotland management come in to watch Glasgow, so they're looking at all the Scottish players there. There's a close link between Glasgow and Scotland.
"The first thing for me was to get back fit and able to play. To be playing for Glasgow's great. If I play well there, then you never know what might happen.
"Hopefully there's still room for improvement. It was a frustrating period, but I'm back now."
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