‘We’ll deal with it’: Franco Smith focused despite URC final uncertainty
“We’re not in the final yet, and I don’t want to be side-tracked by things we can’t control.”
That was the firm message from Franco Smith as the Glasgow Warriors coach attempted to shut out growing debate around where his side could potentially host a “home” United Rugby Championship final should they reach the decider next month.
Despite sitting at the top of the URC standings heading into the final round of league action, Glasgow won’t stage a final in Scotland because of venue complications.
Glasgow’s home ground, Scotstoun, will be unavailable beyond the quarterfinal stage due to preparations for the Commonwealth Games, while Murrayfield Stadium cannot host the final because of scheduled concerts.
Other major Scottish venues, including Hampden Park, Celtic Park and Ibrox Stadium, have also been ruled out, meaning Glasgow may ultimately have to play a “home” final outside Scotland.
“Obviously, that’s a frustration, but it’s something we can do nothing about at the moment,” Smith admitted.
“We’ll have to play the cards that are dealt for us.
Smith said the Warriors had already moved past the initial disappointment surrounding the venue situation.
“When it was originally announced that it wouldn’t be here, that was when we were frustrated. Now we’ve learned to deal with it,” he explained.
“For now, we will have to deal with that when we get to the final. It makes it difficult, but it doesn’t influence the motivation for the current challenge.”
Smith, whose side famously defeated the Bulls in Pretoria to win the URC title in 2024, insisted venue uncertainty would not become a distraction.
“At the end of the day, you can play a final in any place; it’s an on-the-day thing,” he said.
“If we get to play the final there, it will be fantastic. If we’re in the final, that’s going to be the next challenge for us.”
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