1997–98 Glasgow Warriors season

The 1997-98 season is the second in the history of the Glasgow Warriors as a professional side. During this season the young professional side competed as Glasgow Rugby.

Glasgow Warriors 1997 / 1998
Ground(s)Scotstoun Stadium (Capacity: 10,000)
Coach(es) Kevin Greene to November 1997
Keith Robertson from November 1997
Captain(s) Gordon Bulloch
Most caps Gordon Bulloch
Gordon McIlwham
Guy Perrett
Fergus Wallace
Fraser Stott
Tommy Hayes
Craig Sangster (10)
Top scorer Tommy Hayes (103)
Most tries James Craig (6)
League(s)1997-98 Scottish Inter-District Championship
2nd (Runners Up)
Team kit

This season saw Glasgow Rugby compete in the competitions: the Scottish Inter-District Championship and the European Champions Cup, the Heineken Cup.

Season Overview

Disquiet grows

Notwithstanding the 'Gang of Four' pressing for the club teams to be used in Europe instead of the district teams,[1] further disquiet was building against Kevin Greene's dual role as Glasgow Hawks coach and Glasgow Warriors coach. The matter was brought to a head when Greene signed Tommy Hayes for the Glasgow side and Kilmarnock RFC complained that they had not been given an opportunity to bid for the player; as one club team in the district would be assigned the player when not in use by the professional Glasgow side.[2]

Hayes was later assigned the Glasgow Hawks club; Greene's club side.

European highs and lows

Getting out of the Heineken Cup pool stage was extremely positive for the Glasgow side. However the manner of the defeat in the play-off for the Quarter finals by Leicester Tigers brought further grist to the mill as far as the 'Gang of Four' were concerned. Such was the ease of the win by Leicester that one of their players Dean Richards went off-pitch for a toilet break in the middle of the match without the Tigers replacing him.[3]

The result though probably wasn't helped by the prior announcement that the Leicester Tigers match would be Greene's last in charge of Glasgow. To the SRU this season's European results showed that their current model of professionalism wasn't working and they resolved to change the structure of the newly professional game in Scotland. The effects of this resolve were to be seen in the following season.

Ulster interest in Greene

Ulster Rugby made overtures to Kevin Greene about being their new Director of Rugby, straight after Glasgow's defeat of Ulster in the Challenge Cup. Greene however turned them down, preferring to go home to his native New Zealand. He had already agreed with Jim Telfer that he would act as an 'agent' for Glasgow Warriors and Scotland in New Zealand by helping out the training of the Silver Thistles. Glasgow later used Greene on the same basis for their 'academy side': the Glasgow Thistles.

"The job description from Ulster landed on my desk this week after they spoke to me at Scotstoun when the game was over. They said they needed a new direction," said Greene. "I am flattered, but I won't be taking up the position. I spoke to Jim Telfer this week and agreed that I will stay in Scotland to see Glasgow's game with Leicester through, and then go back to New Zealand.

"We are keen that the Silver Thistles tourists carry on, and we are to investigate the possibility of taking coaches over there as well to learn what they do. I suppose, to some extent, I will be an agent for Scotland back home."[4]

New coach

Another New Zealander was brought in to coach Glasgow Rugby. Keith Robertson was ear-marked by the SRU's Jim Telfer earlier in the year as a potential candidate for Glasgow when Robertson's Otago Highlanders team toured the UK. He took over Glasgow in November 1997.[1]

Strength and Fitness and the Elite Development Programme

David Jordan, the chief executive of GDRU, acknowledges: "The result against Leicester told us that we have still much to do. We were found wanting in a number of departments, particularly our overall fitness and strength. It is vital that we recognise where out weaknesses are."

Glasgow issued an Action Plan on how it planned to resolve those weaknesses. It stated: "The Glasgow and District Rugby Union will be aggressively looking beyond Scotland to identify players to enhance and improve the performance of the team. Priority will be given to identifying players with Scottish eligibility. The district will also take full advantage of the use of two non-EU international players."

"The GDRU will utilise the services of a weight training specialist. Every squad member will be given one-to-one training and will work to individually tailored programmes."

In other areas of physical conditioning the plan envisages that there will be a player appraisal programme. "It will be based on setting individual training, fitness and dietary targets. Players will be expected to do training outwith normal squad sessions and be responsible for achieving the targets set," says the action plan.

Glasgow's initial squad of players for next season will be selected next month and between then and March will be the start of what the plan calls the Elite Development Programme that will concentrate on the players who "have the physical and mental ability to represent Glasgow and the Scottish Rugby Union."

"This is the key to the long-term success of Scottish rugby," says the action plan which makes it clear that better identification of talent and an increase in playing numbers are priorities in the next few years.[5]

Team

Coaches

Staff

Chairman: Ken Crichton
Vice-Chairman: George Blackie
Convenor / Team Manager: Hamish Fyfe[7]
Chief Executive: David Jordan
Administrative Executive: Bill McMurtrie
Committee: Gordon Ash, Norry Boyle, Ewan Cameron, John Dyer, Alasdair Graham, Tom Morrice,
Bill Nolan, Willie Talbot (SRU Championship Committee Representative),
Dick Thomas (West of Scotland rugby Referees Society Representative)
Secretary: Victoria Mount

Squad

Hookers
Gordon Bulloch
Chris Docherty

Props

Mike Beckham
Gary Isaac
David Jamieson
Alan Kittle
Alan Perrie
Danny Porte
Gordon McIlwham

Locks
Charles Afuakwah
Stephen Begley
Shade Munro
Malcolm Norval
Guy Perrett

 

Loose Forwards
Scott Hutton
Gordon Mackay
David McLeish
Andrew Ness
John Shaw
Iain Sinclair
Fergus Wallace
Murray Wallace

Half Backs
Fraser Stott
Jamie Weston

Stand offs
Tommy Hayes
Cameron Little
Erin Cossey

 

Centres
Danny Ablett
Alan Bulloch
Aaron Collins
Ian Jardine
Matt McGrandles
James McLaren
Chris Simmers

Back Three
James Craig
Gavin Fraser
Gerry Hawkes
Glenn Metcalfe
Craig Sangster
Derek Stark

Academy players

A 22 strong group of age-grade Glasgow District players - known as the Glasgow Thistles - were sent to New Zealand for rugby training under the aegis of Kevin Greene in February 1998.[8]

The 22 Glasgow Thistles: Gillon Armstrong (Kilmarnock), Colin Bartwicki (East Kilbride), Stuart Bryce (Glasgow Southern), Stuart Caulfield (Dalziel), Scott Chassels (Glasgow Academy), Rory Couper (Ardrossan Academicals), Hugh Fulton (Glasgow Academy), Craig Hamilton (Wigtownshire), Rory Kerr (Strathendrick), Douglas Lyall (Hutchesons' GS), Richard Maxton (Stewart's Melville FP), Andrew McGeoch (Glasgow Academy), Ian McInroy (Garnock), Eric Milligan (Stewarton Academy and Kilmarnock), Iain Monaghan (Glasgow Southern), Craig Murdoch (Ayr), Euan Murray (Williamwood HS and Glasgow Southern), Chris Pothan (Kelvinside Academy), Colin Stewart (East Kilbride), Gordon Tyler (Ardrossan Academicals), Jan Vos (Glasgow Southern), Martin Yorston (Lenzie).

Player statistics

During the 199798 season, Glasgow have used 29 different players in competitive games. The table below shows the number of appearances and points scored by each player.

Position Nation Name Scottish Inter-District Championship Heineken Cup Total
Apps
(sub)
Tries Points
kicked
Apps
(sub)
Tries Points
kicked
Apps
(sub)
Total Pts
HKGordon Bulloch3107101010
HKChris Docherty000(1)00(1)0
PRMike Beckham1002(2)003(2)0
PRAlan Kittle2005(2)007(2)0
PRGordon McIlwham300700100
PRDanny Porte000(1)00(1)0
LKCharles Afuakwah00020020
LKStephen Begley0003(1)003(1)0
LKMalcolm Norval30020050
LKGuy Perrett300700100
BRGordon Mackay(1)001001(1)0
BRDavid McLeish2(1)005007(1)0
BRJohn Shaw2001(2)103(2)5
BRIain Sinclair10060070
BRFergus Wallace1(2)003(4)004(6)0
BRMurray Wallace30051085
SHFraser Stott300710105
FHTommy Hayes3137746110123
FHCameron Little000(3)12(3)7
CEDanny Ablett0001(1)001(1)0
CEAlan Bulloch10000010
CEIan Jardine00010010
CEMatt McGrandles200720910
CEChris Simmers31050085
WGJames Craig220740930
WGDerek Stark3107101010
FBGavin Fraser(2)00(2)00(4)0
FBGlenn Metcalfe1(1)00(3)001(4)0
FBCraig Sangster300700100

Staff movements

Personnel In

Personnel Out

Player movements

Academy promotions

None

Player transfers

Competitions

Match 1

10 August 1997
Glasgow 15 - 49 London Scottish
Try: Alan Bulloch
Andrew Ness
Con: Erin Cossey
Pen: Cameron Little
Preview
Report
Try: Rhodri Davies
Thompson
Johnston
Allan
Hunter
Mick Watson
Con: Derrick Lee x 4
Jamie Cameron
Pen: Derrick Lee x 3
Braidholm, Giffnock
Referee: R Dickson (Madras College FP)

Glasgow - C Sangster (Stirling County); D Stark (Glasgow Hawks), A Bulloch (West of Scotland), C Simmers (Glasgow Hawks), J Craig (West of Scotland); C Little (Glasgow Hawks), F Stott (West of Scotland); G Isaac (Kilmarnock Falcons), G Bulloch (West of Scotland) captain, G McIlwham (Glasgow Hawks), S Begley (Glasgow Hawks), G Perrett (West of Scotland), F Wallace (Glasgow Hawks), D McLeish (West of Scotland), G Mackay (Glasgow Hawks). Replacements - J Weston (Watsonians) for Stott, M Norval (Stirling County) for Begley, G Metcalfe (Glasgow Hawks) for Stark, J McLaren (Stirling County) for A Bulloch, all 40 mins, A Perrie (Glasgow Hawks) for Isaac, A Ness (Glasgow Hawks) for Mackay, E Cossey (Glasgow Southern) for Little.

London Scottish - D Lee; K Milligan, R Davies, R Eriksson, G Thompson; J Cameron, S Cook; P Johnston, J Allan, P Burnell, E Jones, R Hunter, C Tarbuck, M Watson, S Holmes. Replacements - C Smith for Thompson (50 mins), C Morley for Cook (59), T Jankovich for Tarbuck (67), I McAusland for Cameron (68).

Match 2

16 August 1997
Sale Sharks 33 - 10 Glasgow
Try: Tom Beim x 3
David Erskine
Simon Mannix
Con: Simon Mannix x 4
Report Try: Jamie Weston
Con: Cameron Little
Pen: Cameron Little

Referee: G Hughes (Manchester)

Sale Sharks - J Mallinder (captain); C Yates, J Baxendell, A Hadley, T Beim; S Mannix, R Smith; P Smith, S Diamond, A Smith, C Murphy, D Baldwin, P Sanderson, D Erskine, D O'Grady. Replacements: S Howarth, K Ellis, D Williamson, M Driver, M Kirk, A Morris.

Glasgow - C Sangster; D Stark, A Bulloch, I Jardine, G Metcalfe; C Little, F Stott; G Isaac, G Bulloch (captain), G McIlwham, M Norval, G Perrett, M Wallace, D McLeish, I Sinclair. Replacements: C Docherty, F Wallace, C Simmers, J McLaren, M McGrandles, J Craig, D Ablett, G Mackay, C Afuakwah, A Perrie, J Weston.

Match 3

23 August 1997
West Hartlepool 18 - 40 Glasgow
Try: ; Ponton
Botham
Con: Benson
Pen: Benson x 2
Preview
Report
Try: Tommy Hayes x 2
Jamie Weston
James Craig
Derek Stark
Gordon McIlwham
Con: Tommy Hayes x 2
Pen: Tommy Hayes x 2
Brierton Lane

West Hartlepool - Farrell; Cavey, Botham, Connolly, John; Benson, Nu'ualitia; Sparks, Challenor, Hathaway, Webb, Schrader, Hood, Ponton, Hyde. Replacements - Knowles for Benson, Peacock for Challenor, Jones for Cavey (all at half time).

Glasgow - Sangster; Stark, A Bulloch, Jardine, Craig; Hayes, Weston; McIlwham, G Bulloch, Beckham, Afuakwah, Perrett, M Wallace, McLeish, Sinclair. Replacements - Kittle for Beckham (60min), Simmers for Jardine (61), Stott for Weston (64), Ness for McLeish (72), Metcalfe for Craig (72), Jardine for Hayes (75).

Match 4

28 August 1997
Caledonia Reds 16 - 28 Glasgow
Try: Murray Fraser
Con: Rowen Shepherd
Pen: Rowen Shepherd x 3
Report Try: Tommy Hayes
Matt McGrandles
Fraser Stott
Con: Tommy Hayes x 2
Pen: Tommy Hayes x 3
Bridgehaugh Park, Stirling
Referee: Referee - A Ireland (Grangemouth).

Caledonia Reds - Caledonia Reds - Shepherd; Renton, Rouse, Carruthers, Longstaff; Easson, Black; Penman, Scott, Manson, White, Grimes, McIvor, Flockhart, Waite. Substitutes - Fraser for Carruthers (39m), Hayter for Waite (40), Herrington for Penman (40), Officer for Rouse (53), Penman for Manson (75).

Glasgow - Simmers; Stark, Bulloch, McGrandles, Metcalfe; Hayes, Stott; McIlwham, Bulloch, Beckham, Afuakwah,[16] Perrett, F Wallace, McLeish, M Wallace. Shaw for McLeish. Substitutes - Kittle for McIlwham (40), Ablett for A Bulloch (65), Porte for Beckham, Docherty for G Bulloch.

Match 5

6 December 1997
Glasgow 6 22 ACT Brumbies
Pen: Tommy Hayes x 2
Report Try: Sam Cordingley
Josh Birch
Craig McMullen x 2
Con: Robert Todd
Scotstoun Stadium
Referee: R Duhau

Glasgow - Sangster; Fraser (temporary replacement Hawkes), Bulloch, Collins, Metcalfe; Hayes, Stott (Little); McIlwham (Simmers), Docherty, Beckham (Jamieson); Norval, Perrett; F Wallace (Mackay), M Wallace(capt), Shaw (Hutton).

ACT Brumbies - Kafer(capt); Nasalio, Swan, Birch, Todd; McMullen, Cordingley; Zammit, Paul, Moore, Morahan, Harrison, Plenty, Jacques, Fenukitau.

European Champions Cup

The previous year's Scottish Inter-District Championship produced a tight finish and Glasgow were just pipped to first place by Caledonia Reds. The second place achieved in the Scottish Inter-District was enough for Glasgow to be entered in the Heineken Cup for the new season 1997-98.

The pool matches saw Glasgow grouped alongside London Wasps; with former player Kenny Logan now starring for the English side. Logan was to put Glasgow to the sword over the two matches, scoring 3 tries against his old team. Nevertheless, Glasgow did well enough to get out the group and snatch a quarter final play-off place. However they were soundly beaten by the Leicester Tigers and their matches against English opposition showed the gulf of professionalism that then existed between Scotland and England.

In the pool matches teams received

  • 2 points for a win
  • 1 points for a draw
Key to colours
     Winner of each pool advances to quarter-final stage
     Advance to quarter-final playoffs

Pool 2

Team P W D L Tries for Tries against Try diff Points for Points against Points diff Pts
Wasps 660031121924310413912
Glasgow 630314151132167356
Swansea 62041516115716144
Ulster 610562317951951002
Round 1
8 September 1997
19:00
Ulster 12 18 Glasgow
Pen: Stuart Laing x 3
Drop: Stuart Laing
Preview
Preview
Report
Report
Try: James Craig
Murray Wallace
Con: Tommy Hayes
Pen: Tommy Hayes x 2
Ravenhill
Attendance: 2,100
Referee: Clayton Thomas (Wales)
Round 2
14 September 1997
15:00
Glasgow 22 46 London Wasps
Try: Gordon Bulloch
Tommy Hayes x 2
Con: Tommy Hayes
Cameron Little
Pen: Tommy Hayes
Report Try: Shane Roiser
Nick Greenstock
Kenny Logan
Andy Gomarsall
Chris Sheasby
Con: Gareth Rees x 5
Pen: Gareth Rees x 3
Scotstoun Stadium
Attendance: 3,500
Referee: Alan Lewis (Ireland)
Round 3
21 September 1997
15:00
Glasgow 35 21 Swansea
Try: Derek Stark
Matt McGrandles
James Craig
John Shaw
Con: Tommy Hayes x 3
Pen: Tommy Hayes x 3
Report Try: Huw Thomas
Chris Anthony
Con: Arwel Thomas
Pen: Arwel Thomas x 3
Scotstoun Stadium
Attendance: 3,000
Referee: Ed Morrison (England)
Round 4
28 September 1997
15:00
London Wasps 43 5 Glasgow
Try: Nick Greenstock
Kenny Logan x2
Andy Gomarsall
Chris Sheasby
Joe Worsley
Con: Gareth Rees x 5
Pen: Gareth Rees
Preview
Report
Try: James Craig
Loftus Road Stadium
Attendance: 3,825
Referee: David McHugh (Ireland)
Round 5
4 October 1997
14:15
Swansea 30 22 Glasgow
Try: Scott Gibbs
Rhodri Jones
Con: Aled Williams
Pen: Aled Williams x 6
Report Try: Matt McGrandles
Con: Tommy Hayes
Pen: Tommy Hayes x 5
St. Helen's
Attendance: 3,000
Referee: Gordon Black (Ireland)
Round 6
12 October 1997
15:00
Glasgow 30 15 Ulster
Try: Tommy Hayes
Fraser Stott
Penalty Try[17]
Con: Tommy Hayes x 3
Pen: Tommy Hayes
Preview
Report
Report
Pen: Stuart Laing x 5
Scotstoun Stadium
Attendance: 4,000
Referee: Gareth Simmonds (Wales)
Quarter final play-offs

Scottish Inter-District Championship

For 1997-98 season the Scottish Inter-District Championship was sponsored by Inter-City Trains. Hence the Championship became known as the Inter-City and the Cup won became the Inter-City Cup.

1997-98 League Table

Team P W D L PF PA +/- Pts
Edinburgh 32017655+214
Glasgow 32016749+184
Caledonia Reds 32014954-54
Border Reivers 30033468-340
Round 1
19 October 1997
Glasgow 36 20 Edinburgh
Try: James Craig x 2
Tommy Hayes
Con: Tommy Hayes x 3
Pen: Tommy Hayes x 5
Report Try: Ally McLean
Pen: Ally McLean x 5
Scotstoun Stadium
Referee: I Ramage (Berwick)
Round 2
24 October 1997
Border Reivers 9 17 Glasgow
Pen: Craig Chalmers x 3
Report Try: Derek Stark
Pen: Tommy Hayes x 4
Philiphaugh, Selkirk
Referee: J Fleming (Boroughmuir)
Round 3
4 January 1998
Caledonia Reds 20 14 Glasgow
Try: John Manson
Dave McIvor
Con: Rowen Shepherd x 2
Pen: Rowen Shepherd x 2
Report Try: Chris Simmers
Gordon Bulloch
Con: Tommy Hayes x 2
Rubislaw Playing Fields
Attendance: 2000
Referee: J Fleming (Boroughmuir)

Sponsorship

Official Kit Supplier

Canterbury

References

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