The log-leading Glasgow Warriors face a challenging two-match Vodacom URC tour of South Africa with a depleted squad.
Franco Smith’s side will take on the fifth-placed Lions at Ellis Park on Saturday before travelling to Cape Town to face the Stormers, who are currently second.
The Warriors are coming off a 22-19 Investec Champions Cup quarter-final defeat against Toulon, which ended a promising European campaign.
“Of course I’m disappointed with the result. There’s no other way to describe it,” said Smith. “We’ve worked very hard over the last few years to put ourselves in a position like that, but there is clearly still work to be done.”
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The campaign has started to take its toll, though, with injuries hitting the Scottish side hard at a crucial stage of the season.
Locks Max Williamson and Alex Craig are both sidelined, while fellow lock Scott Cummings and versatile forward Gregor Brown are also unavailable.
There are also concerns over key backs, including flyhalf Adam Hastings and captain and centre Sione Tuipulotu.
Meanwhile, Scotland flanker Rory Darge is likely to miss the tour due to the birth of his first child.
Despite the setbacks, Smith remains pragmatic about the challenge ahead.
“I have a specific strategy planned for the next two weeks, and we’re not going to deviate from that,” he said.
“We’ve created expectation through our performances, and that’s something to be proud of. Now it’s about responding.”
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Assistant coach Roddy Grant believes the South African trip could prove invaluable.
“It’s a great chance for the group to get over the disappointment together,” Grant said.
“We’re all together for two weeks in a different environment, and that can be refreshing at this stage of the season.”
“It’s a big physical test against two exciting teams. That’s something to look forward to and embrace.”
Glasgow are due to fly out to South Africa on Tuesday.
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Photo: Ryan Byrne/INPHO
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