Glasgow Warriors flank Matt Fagerson says physicality will again be a decisive factor in their latest clash with growing rivals the Vodacom Bulls.
Coach Franco Smith’s men have beaten the Bulls twice this season, 21-12 in the URC league stage in October and 25-21 in the Investec Champions Cup round of 16 in April.
However, both matches were staged at Scotstoun Stadium, while Saturday’s URC semi-final will take place at Murrayfield in Edinburgh.
Glasgow were also victorious in the 2024 URC final at Loftus Versfeld, although the Bulls will take heart from their 26-19 away win against the Warriors last season.
“It has become a bit of a rivalry, hasn’t it?” Fagerson told The Scotsman. “Probably from the first game we played against them at Scotstoun, it set the bar for us in terms of physicality.
“That was probably one of the most physical games I’ve ever played. It’s just the way they play and the kind of athletes they are. You have to front up, and if you don’t, it can be a very long day.”
FRANCO: Bulls won’t get free pass at Murrayfield
Fagerson believes the Bulls have raised their game since the teams last met.
“You’ve seen what they do to teams out on the Highveld,” he said. “We’ve had some brilliant match-ups over the last two or three years and they’ll be ready to go.
“We’ve played them twice already recently and they’ve improved a lot, even since the last time we faced them here a couple of months ago.”
READ: SA stars dominate URC XV
Glasgow are determined to give several departing stars – including Huw Jones, Jack Dempsey and Johnny Matthews – a fitting farewell by winning a second URC title.
“We’ve got a lot of talismans leaving, so it would be massive to win it again with this group,” said Fagerson. “There’s incredible quality in this squad and that’s what everyone is striving towards.”
Bulls vs Glasgow in URC
2021-22: Bulls 29 Glasgow 17
2022-23: Glasgow 35 Bulls 21
2023-24: Bulls 40 Glasgow 34
2023-24: Bulls 16 Glasgow 21
2024-25: Glasgow 19 Bulls 26
2025-26: Glasgow 21 Bulls 12
Photo: Ian MacNicol/Getty Images
The post Glasgow brace for physical Bulls test appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Glasgow Warriors flank Matt Fagerson says physicality will again be a decisive factor in their latest clash with growing rivals the Vodacom Bulls.
The post Glasgow brace for physical Bulls test appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
