Even if Max Williamson wasn’t a huge guy, you’d still believe him when he says Friday’s game between Glasgow Warriors and the Bulls will be a “massive battle.”
Williamson is slowly returning to full fitness after missing four months with an injury. He’s back in Glasgow’s second row and ready for this big match. It’s a rematch of last year’s final and a showdown between the second- and third-placed teams this season — it doesn’t get much bigger.
There’s a lot at stake, and both sides are fired up. Bulls coach Jake White said his team had marked this game on their calendars since the season began. He remembers how Glasgow came from behind to beat the Bulls in the URC final last year, even after the Bulls had taken a 13-0 lead.
White said, “From the start of pre-season, we knew we would give everything for this game on 25 April.”
Glasgow have added fuel to the fire too. Nigel Carolan, one of their coaches, said earlier this week that Scotstoun will feel like a “slaughterhouse” when the Bulls arrive — strong words that will only motivate the South Africans more. They’ve already lost two of the last three URC finals.
Even a top promoter like Eddie Hearn couldn’t hype the game better.
Speaking on the BBC’s Scotland Rugby Podcast, Williamson said Friday’s game is crucial. With only three matches left before the playoffs, and just four points between Glasgow and the Bulls, every match counts.
Glasgow already have a home quarter-final secured. If they beat the Bulls, they’ll be in a strong position to get a home semi-final too. Williamson, who is only 22, knows just how important this game is.
Everyone Knows This Game Will Be Tough
These are tricky times for the Glasgow Warriors. Around eight key players from their title-winning team last season will miss this match, mostly due to injuries.
That’s why having Max Williamson back, even off the bench in recent weeks, has been a big boost for coach Franco Smith. It’s also been important for Williamson himself. He was in great form last autumn, especially in Scotland’s match against South Africa at Murrayfield. But then he got injured. He missed the entire Six Nations.
“I first got injured in November, then again in January,” Williamson said. “That was tough, but I saw it as a chance to work on my body and improve. I played a lot last year, so now I actually feel really fresh.”
And now, the Bulls are coming — and they’re angry.
“They’re a big team,” Williamson said. “This is a huge game. They remember what happened last year, and they’ve said this is the match they’ve been waiting for. We know they’re coming for a fight, and we’re ready for it.”
He added, “It’s going to be a real battle on Friday night. They play physical rugby, and we plan to match that. We’re not going to let them dominate.”
Glasgow’s stats look better — more points scored, fewer points conceded, more tries, more clean breaks, more turnovers, more bonus points.
On paper, they are the favourites. But stats don’t measure hunger, emotion, or determination — all things Bulls coach Jake White has spoken about.
Glasgow won’t be short on motivation either. With all the tension and hype around this clash, referee Andrew Brace might need a boxing bell, not just a whistle, for this heavyweight showdown at Scotstoun.
