Glasgow Warriors

Glasgow Warriors

Full name	Glasgow Warriors
Union	Scottish Rugby Union
Founded	amateur 1872; 152 years ago (1872) professional 1996; 28 years ago (1996)[1]
Location	Glasgow, Scotland
Ground(s)	Scotstoun Stadium (Capacity: 7,351[2] using additional temporary seating)
Chairman	Charles Shaw
Coach(es)	Franco Smith
Captain(s)	Kyle Steyn
Most caps	Rob Harley (267)
Top scorer	Dan Parks (1530)
Most tries	D.T.H. van der Merwe (58)
League(s)	United Rugby Championship
1st kit 2nd kit
Official website
glasgowwarriors.org
Current season

Glasgow Warriors are a professional rugby union side from Scotland. The team plays in the United Rugby Championship league and in the European Professional Club Rugby tournaments. In the 2014–15 season they won the Pro12 title and became the first Scottish team to win a major trophy in rugby union's professional era. In 2023-24 they became the first Scottish side to win the United Rugby Championship in its current form.^[3] The side is known for its fast, dynamic and attacking style of play,^[4][5][6] using offloads^[7] and quick rucks.^[8] Defensively the club prides itself on its 'Fortress Scotstoun' where the club play at home.^[9][10]

Glasgow Warriors are a continuation of the amateur Glasgow District side founded in 1872.

For the history of Glasgow as an amateur district side see:

Reshaped as a professional club in 1996, Glasgow Warriors were originally known as Glasgow Rugby before rebranding as Glasgow Caledonians in 1998 by a merger with the Caledonian Reds. They dropped the Caledonians to become Glasgow Rugby in 2001 again and finally rebranded as the Glasgow Warriors in 2005.

Scotland had four District Sides:- North and Midlands; South; Glasgow District and Edinburgh District. Glasgow and Edinburgh were formed in 1872 and played the world's first ever inter-district match on 23 November of that year. This was known as the 'Inter-City' derby; originally a twice a season event until 1876, then became annual thereafter.^[11]

The district sides capped the best amateur players from their area's club sides to play inter-district matches and matches against touring sides. The Scottish Inter-District Championship began in 1953-54 (and so encompassed the traditional Inter-City derby). Unlike the Scottish clubs (and Ireland's provincial sides), the Scottish district sides had no settled home and were not members of their Rugby Union. This meant when Scottish rugby embraced professionalism it was not clear if a model based on districts or clubs would be used.^[11]

It was not clear which route professionalism would go in Scotland. This created a turbulent start for professionalism in Scotland and left Scotland far behind fast-embracing Ireland in the set up of its professional structure. The first season of the Heineken Cup in 1995–96 was run without any Scottish teams in European competition.

An EGM was held by the SRU for its member clubs to debate the matter and try and settle the issue on 8 February 1996. The SRU management was in favour of districts and its Vice-president Fred McLeod, and Jim Telfer argued for the proposal. In favour of the clubs to be represented in Europe were former Scotland internationalists Gavin Hastings and Keith Robertson. Critically a speech from the floor from Brian Simmers of Glasgow Academicals – arguing that Hastings and Robertson didn't have the best interests of Scottish rugby at heart and they were arguing only for their own clubs – swung the debate and the District model won by 178 to 24.^[11]

The four amateur district teams Glasgow, Edinburgh, South of Scotland and North and Midlands were to become the professional sides Glasgow Warriors, Edinburgh Rugby, Border Reivers and the Caledonia Reds.

Glasgow Rugby was created in 1996 to compete in the Heineken Cup, because the Scottish Rugby Union did not think that Scottish club sides would be able to compete against the best teams from France and England.^[12]

For a detailed season by season guide of Glasgow Warriors history see:

Glasgow and the other three Scottish districts competed in the Scottish Inter-District Championship to determine their European Qualifying; the leagues positions determining whether they entered the Heineken Cup or the Challenge Cup for the following season.

Due to Glasgow District's bottom placing in the 1995–96 Scottish Inter-District Championship, Glasgow was entered into the 1996–97 European Challenge Cup where they finished second bottom of their group.

Results improved somewhat domestically in 1996-97 with Glasgow securing second place in that season's Inter-District Championship behind Caledonia Reds.

That meant that Glasgow qualified for the Heineken Cup for the first time, in the 1997–98 season. In their group stage that season finishing second, they qualified out of the group only to be well beaten in the Quarter Final play-off by Leicester Tigers.^[13]

Because of the SRU's high debt, partly as a result of the redevelopment of Murrayfield Stadium, there was a recognised need for further reorganisation. After two seasons, Glasgow merged with the Caledonia Reds to form a team that would be known as Glasgow Caledonians.^[14]

Edinburgh Rugby similarly merged with the Border Reivers. In effect, both the Glasgow and Edinburgh clubs took over the other districts. Glasgow's new 'Caledonian' label was later quietly dropped at the start of the 2001–02 season, with the team name becoming once again Glasgow Rugby.^[15] The Glasgow side however became colloquially known as Glasgow Warriors from at least the 2001–02 season onwards.^[16]

Only two professional sides remaining meant that the 1998–99 Scottish Inter-District Championship was fought out in a three match 'Tri-Series' battle between Glasgow and Edinburgh.^[17]

The combined sides did not fare better in Europe. Glasgow finished bottom of their group in the 1998–99 Heineken Cup. The SRU realised that Glasgow and Edinburgh needed more competition domestically than each other and so began a successful dialogue with the Welsh Rugby Union that resulted in both Scottish sides being entered in the WRU Challenge Cup in early 1999.^[18]

The WRU Challenge Cup was deemed a success and the SRU and WRU announced a new league system for the 1999-2000 season. The Welsh-Scottish League was essentially the Welsh Premier Division augmented by the Glasgow and Edinburgh sides.^[19]

This meant the end of the Scottish Inter-District Championship although it did continue as before with the amateur district sides. The 1999-2000 season's Tri-Series was run without a sponsor. Glasgow won the title, but at a cost; they had beaten Edinburgh four times that season (including twice in the Tri-Series) and Edinburgh's only win was the 5th match, a dead rubber at the end of the Tri-Series. The fans didn't like the format and it was scrapped.^[20]

The Welsh-Scottish League lasted three seasons. Although both Glasgow and Edinburgh finished no higher than mid-table for those three seasons, it did provide the Scottish sides with much needed competition. It was looked on as a successful model of co-operation between two rugby unions. The Irish Rugby Football Union began talks with the SRU and WRU about further extending the co-operation in a new Celtic League.

The Celtic League began in truncated fashion in the autumn of 2001 with the addition of the four Irish provincial teams in two pools; Glasgow reached the semi-finals of the inaugural competition, but struggled thereafter.

In its first year the Celtic League ran concurrently with the 2001–02 Welsh-Scottish League but fixture congestion meant that the Welsh-Scottish tournament was scrapped in favour of the new league. The new Celtic League was an instant success and the SRU took the opportunity to resurrect one of its disbanded districts in 2002. The Border Reivers were thus reborn for 2002–03 season.

The Celtic League remained in its truncated 'pools' form for 2002–03 season before its expansion to a full league set-up the following season. This gave the SRU a one-off chance to revive the 2002–03 Scottish Inter-District Championship as a professional tournament. Glasgow, Edinburgh and the Borders fought in out in what was the final professional Inter-District championship; the Bank of Scotland Pro Cup. Glasgow finished bottom of the table.

In 2004–05 Glasgow had been fifth in the Celtic League, the best placing of the three Scottish teams that existed at that time.^[21]

Starting with the 2005–06 season, the team was again rebranded, this time as the Glasgow Warriors.^[12]

Disappointing results for the Border Reivers saw them disband again in 2007. With only two professional sides once again, the SRU took the opportunity to dust down and rename the 1995 Scottish Inter-District Championship trophy and use the two Celtic League fixtures between Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh Rugby as a mini-cup tournament. The Glasgow-Edinburgh 'inter-city' derby dates back to 1872 and is the oldest provincial match in the world. To mark this, the 1872 Cup thus began in 2007-08.

The Celtic League was rebranded as the Pro12 league in season 2011–12. This was to better reflect the entry of the Italian sides into the Celtic League.

The Pro12 league format had a top four play-off system to decide the champions.

Since the Pro12 started in season 2011–12, Glasgow Warriors were the only team that have made the play-offs in every year, but this record was finally broken at the end of the 2016–17 season on 28 April 2017 when the Warriors lost to Leinster in Dublin ensuring that a top 4 finish for the Glasgow side was unattainable.^[22]

Glasgow Warriors hold the Pro12 record of the highest number of consecutive seasons that a team has made the play-offs – with 5 seasons between 2011–12 and 2015–16. Going further back and taking the Celtic League into account, this record is also shared with Leinster who made the play-offs in the last 2 years of the Celtic League and first 3 years of the Pro12.

With the addition of two South African sides, the Pro12 expanded to become the Pro14 for season 2017-18.^[23]

The format of the league changed to accommodate the extra teams. It was split into two conferences and matches played in a conference system with the addition of 2 derby fixtures. The play-off system also changed with the winners of the conferences hosting a Semi-Final and each conference runners up and 3rd place teams playing off in Quarter-Final fixtures.^[23]

For the Pro14's inaugural season, Glasgow Warriors were placed in a conference with the Ospreys, Blues, Munster, Connacht, Zebre and Cheetahs.^[23] After a blistering start with 10 straight wins, the Warriors were the first team to secure a play-off place. The Warriors won top place in Conference A and secured a home semi-final. Inconsistent form in the latter half of the season then cost the Warriors; losing in the semi-final to Scarlets.^[24]

Glasgow Warriors' conference did not change for season 2018-19 but home and away fixtures were swapped from the previous year. Other than a blip against the Southern Kings and a notable dip in the Festive period against Edinburgh and Benetton Treviso, by and large Glasgow Warriors seemed to ease through their fixtures. By the end of the regular season Glasgow were top of Conference A again and setting new records:- the final regular season match against Edinburgh Rugby saw the Warriors hit a club record of 7 consecutive try bonus point league wins;^[25] their total of 15 try bonus points throughout the season was a new Pro14 record;^[26] their 81 points scored was the most ever scored in a league campaign by Glasgow Warriors;^[27] and their 83 tries was the most scored in a league campaign by Glasgow Warriors;^[28] and their 621 points scored was the most scored in a league campaign by Glasgow Warriors.^[29] They narrowly lost to Leinster in the final at Celtic Park following an error by Stuart Hogg in the Warriors try-line. The Celtic Park final attendance, swelled by Glasgow Warriors fans normally unable to watch at a sold-out Scotstoun, remains the highest in the Celtic League/Pro12/Pro14 history.

In 2019–20, the Warriors started poorly but results picked up as the season progressed. By the end of February 2020, Glasgow Warriors had solidified the play-off 3rd spot and were hopeful of a decent run to overtake Ulster into the 2nd place in their conference. However, the COVID-19 pandemic intervened and Pro14 matches were stopped. The season restarted at the end of August; but it was instead curtailed, now with only two matches to play, meaning it was virtually impossible to catch Ulster in the second spot. Worse for the Warriors was the Pro14 decision to not play any Quarter-Final matches which meant that they would not be involved in the play-offs. Missing out, the final was played between Leinster and Ulster, with Leinster winning.

Season 2020-21 was still affected with the COVID-19 pandemic; this meant very limited or usually no fans at the matches. The Southern Kings went bankrupt and the Cheetahs were unable to compete due to the pandemic, so the Pro14 ran with 12 European sides, still in two conferences. They did however court some of the South African Super Rugby Unlocked franchises for the following season and organised an end of season tournament – the Rainbow Cup – which because of COVID-19 was run as a mini European league of the Pro14 sides; and a South African league of their 4 biggest franchises that the Pro14 wished to invite – the winners of the two leagues would play off in a final. Glasgow Warriors stuttered in the Pro14 and only improved towards the end of the tournament. They managed to still secure a Champions Cup spot despite their early form. The end of season Rainbow Cup saw Glasgow lose their match against the surprise eventual Rainbow Cup tournament winners Benetton Treviso but then win the rest of their matches, securing the 1872 Cup along the way and beating this season's Pro14 winners Leinster in their last match.

The European sides were again joined by the South African franchises in season 2021–22. The championship was split in four conferences:- a Scottish-Italian conference, a South African conference, a Welsh conference and an Irish conference. The Warriors stuttered through the URC campaign. They seemed to have a bad knack of winning fixtures until the last quarter and then blowing their lead. Still, home results remained a bit better than the away fixtures. By the end of April they were just about managing to cling onto top 4 in the URC.^[30] Then the form stopped stuttering, but unfortunately things got worse. They bowed out of the Champions Cup at the hands of La Rochelle (the eventual winners of the European Cup that season), to find themselves in the Challenge Cup. A win against Newcastle Falcons papered over cracks but they were beaten in the quarter-final against Lyon, again losing the match from a winning position. (Lyon went on to win the Challenge Cup.)

Beaten by both European winners may have been understandable but the Glasgow side's league form was much worse and a run of away fixtures hardly helped. Beaten by the Stormers and Bulls, the Warriors lost the 1872 Cup deciding match to Edinburgh. Not only did Edinburgh secure the 1872 Cup, but it meant that Edinburgh leapfrogged Glasgow Warriors in the league and also won the Scottish-Italian conference. Glasgow Warriors finished 8th; their lowest league position since 2010–11. It was the first time that Edinburgh finished higher than Glasgow since that 2010–11 season. Finishing 8th meant that Glasgow failed to qualify for the Champions Cup next season. The last time that happened was the 2005–06 season, causing Hugh Campbell to lose his job; and they played the 2006–07 season in the Challenge Cup under Sean Lineen. Eighth place in 2021-22 did qualify the Warriors for the last quarter-final place of the URC, but they were given the 1st seeds Leinster in Dublin to play. The Warriors failed to regroup for the quarter-final and although they again started brightly the team predictably slumped. It was quite a slump too, a 76–14 defeat: it was the Warriors worst result domestically; and their second-worse result of all time.^[31] Only the Leicester Tigers European quarter-final play-off match of 1997–98 season, a 90–19 defeat, was worse. The SRU was quick to act in the face of these poor results and Danny Wilson was stood down as Head Coach.^[32]

Just before the 2022–23 season began, Glasgow hired Franco Smith. It took a few games for the team to settle into the new coach, but they did and results followed. Glasgow went unbeaten at home in the regular URC season, and in European Challenge Cup Glasgow tore through opposition till the final. Winning the 1872 Cup and the Scottish-Italian Shield, they made 4th in the URC, playing Munster at home in the Quarter-Final. A red card to Tom Jordan made it difficult for the Warriors and they lost the match 14–5 to the Irish side. In the European Challenge Cup final, a devastating first half by Toulon scoring 21 points without reply left the Warriors too much to do in the second half and the French side won out 43–19. Nevertheless, it was a very successful first season under Smith, with the side back challenging on all fronts after the slump of the Danny Wilson era.^[33] He was named URC coach of the year.^[34]

Scotstoun remained a fortress in the URC and they remained unbeaten at home in the 2023–24 season. Indeed, only the Stormers, the Sharks, Edinburgh and Cardiff managed to prevent Glasgow taking the bonus point win there. Away from home, the Warriors were beaten five times. Once by Connacht, once by Munster, in the 1872 Cup match against Edinburgh - though not enough to stop the 1872 Cup heading to Glasgow again, and crucially at the end of the season an away loss to the Bulls and the Lions. The Warriors lost their 1st place in the league by the two South African losses, and finished the season 4th in the table, but only 3 points behind 1st place.

The play-offs meant that Glasgow faced the Stomers at home. In blustery conditions the Warriors comfortably won the match, helped by the Stomers poor kicking in the wind. The quarter final was against Munster away at Thomond Park. Munster displaying advertising promoting the final between them and the Bulls before the match gave Glasgow extra impetus and they outplayed the Irish side. That meant a final in South Africa at Loftus Versfeld. The Bulls won the match before, but like that match Glasgow knew they could win the second half, if they could keep the first half tight. A score at the end of the first half by Scott Cummings made the half time score 13–7 to the Bulls; and the Warriors stepped on the gas in the second half with tries by George Turner and Huw Jones. Glasgow saw out the match 21 - 16, with the Bulls only scoring 3pts in the second half, to become URC champions.^[35]

In December 2023, Glasgow launched a women's team to compete in the Celtic Challenge, a cross-border competition that is designed to develop players for the Celtic nations, starting in the 2023–24 season.^[36][37][38]

For the most part, Glasgow Warriors through the years have played their matches in Glasgow either at Hughenden Stadium, Firhill Stadium or Scotstoun Stadium, their current base.

A closer look at the club's history reveals a more nomadic nature. Some of this was planned as the club took over the Caledonia Reds district; or a liberal spreading of the Warriors brand to various grounds for friendlies and smaller ties; and some of this was caused by inclement weather; in particular the Warriors had to play several games at the football ground of Kilmarnock F.C. in 2015/16. The laying of a synthetic pitch at Scotstoun Stadium for the 2016-17 season resolved those weather-related issues, though there have on occasion been complaints from visiting teams about the synthetic surface.^[39]

Originally based at Hughenden Stadium in 1996-97, Glasgow moved to Scotstoun Stadium for the 1997-98 season. Rugby at Scotstoun, however, goes back even further, right to the beginning of the 1900s when the likes of Glasgow HSFP and Kelvinside Accies along with others played there on their journeys to Old Anniesland and Balgray respectively.^[40]

The merger with the Caledonia Reds for the season caused the Warriors to play their matches not only at Hughenden and Firhill Stadium in Glasgow, but also at Perth's McDiarmid Park and Aberdeen's Rubislaw Playing Fields as it consolidated the traditional North and Midlands district.

The following year saw the Warriors additionally play at Bridgehaugh Park in Stirling.^[41] the Caledonian Stadium in Inverness^[20] and Millbrae in Ayr.^[42]

From the 2000-01 season Glasgow settled in Hughenden through to the middle of 2005-06 season, after which Firhill was used briefly. However the following year Hughenden was used again.

The Warriors moved to Firhill Stadium in 2007–08 season and that was the club's base until the summer of 2012.

In 2012, Glasgow Warriors moved from Firhill back to Scotstoun Stadium, which had previously been the club's training base.^[43]

In addition to those grounds above:- Rugby Park in Kilmarnock;^[44] Old Anniesland in Glasgow;^[45] Braidholm in Giffnock;^[46] Whitecraigs in Newton Mearns;^[47] London Road in Stranraer;^[48] Burnbrae in Milngavie,^[49] North Inch in Perth^[50] and Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh^[51] have all hosted home matches for the Glasgow side.

Glasgow Warriors fans are collectively known as the Warrior Nation.^[52] The official supporters club is The XVIth Warrior, founded in 2012.

Although the current Scotstoun Stadium capacity has occasionally been increased to 10,000 for selected matches,^[53] from the 2016–17 season the standard capacity at home is now 7351,^[54] which regularly sells out.^{[55][56][57][58]} There is now a record number of season ticket holders at the club.^[59]

Such is the demand for tickets at Glasgow, it has been reported that Mark Dodson, chief executive of the Scottish Rugby Union, is in talks with Glasgow City Council about building a bigger stand on the railway side of Scotstoun Stadium.^[60]

A quirk of such high demand is seen when you compare the 2015-16 standard capacity at Scotstoun (6800)^[61] with Glasgow's seasonal average attendance (6950)^[62] The seasonal higher than capacity average was made possible when Scotstoun Stadium became unplayable that winter and home games were switched to the higher capacity grounds of Rugby Park^[63] and Murrayfield Stadium.^[64]

The away support of the Glasgow Warriors ranges from about 300 fans for a Pro12 match in Italy^[65] to around several thousand fans for the 1872 Cup away match against Edinburgh Rugby at Murrayfield Stadium.^[66][67]

The Pro12 Grand Finals of 2013–14 season and 2014–15 season, in Dublin and Belfast respectively, saw around 4 to 5 thousand of the Warrior Nation follow their team to Ireland each time.^[68][69]

The 2016-17 European Champions Cup Quarter Final away to Saracens saw 6000 of the Warrior Nation make their way to Allianz Park and provided the London side with their highest ever home attendance.^[70]

Various public houses^[71][72] around Glasgow have operated as Fanzones for the club. The official Fanzone for the 2016–17 season was The Crafty Pig.^[73] For 2018–19 season The Old Schoolhouse is the XVIth Warriors fanzone.

For Amateur era see:

• United Rugby Championship
  • Winners: 2 (2014-15), (2023-24)
  • Runners-up: 2 (2013-14, 2018-19)
• United Rugby Championship Scottish/Italian Shield
  • Winners: 2 (2022-23), (2023-24)
  • Runners Up: 1 (2021-22)
• Scottish Inter-District Championship
  • Winners: 1 (1999-2000 Tri-Series)
• 1872 Cup (founded 2007–08)
  • Winners: 10 (2007–08, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2016–17, 2020–21, 2022–23, 2023–24)
• Melrose Sevens
  • Winners: 2 (2013–14, 2014–15)^[74]
• Glasgow City Sevens
  • Winners: 3 (2003–04, 2010–11, 2012–13)^[75]

Competing as Glasgow Warriors unless stated.
Competing as ᵜ Glasgow Rugby.
Competing as ^β Glasgow Caledonian Reds.

Scottish Inter-District Championship

Welsh-Scottish League

Celtic League

Pro12

Pro14

Rainbow Cup

United Rugby Championship

Season	Pos	Pld	W	D	L	F	A	+/-	BP	Pts	Notes
1996–97 ᵜ	2nd	3	2	0	1	63	51	+12	–	4
1997–98 ᵜ	2nd	3	2	0	1	66	29	+37	–	4	(second on tries scored)
1998–99 β	2nd	3	1	0	2	32	97	−65	–	2	(Edinburgh won Tri-series 2–1)
1999–2000 β	1st	3	2	0	1	104	56	+48	–	4	(Glasgow won Tri-series 2–1)
1999–2000 β	10th	22	8	1	13	488	621	−133	–	25
2000–01 β	7th	22	12	0	10	645	608	+37	–	36
2001–02 ᵜ	8th	20	8	1	11	475	527	−52	–	25
2001–02 ᵜ	3rd in Pool A	7	4	1	2	204	172	+32	–	13	(lost semi-final to Leinster)
2002–03 ᵜ	3rd	8	2	1	5	144	210	−66	1	11	Bank of Scotland Pro Cup
2002–03 ᵜ	2nd in Pool B	7	5	0	2	216	166	+50	3	23	(lost quarter-final to Ulster)
2003–04 ᵜ	11th	22	6	1	15	442	614	−172	6	32
2004–05 ᵜ	6th	20	8	1	11	465	466	−1	11	45
2005–06	11th	22	5	0	15	371	439	−68	9	37	(All deemed + 2 games: 8 pts)
2006–07	7th	20	11	0	9	434	419	+15	5	49
2007–08	5th	18	10	1	7	340	349	−9	4	46
2008–09	7th	18	7	0	11	349	375	−26	9	37
2009–10	3rd	18	11	2	5	390	321	+69	3	51	(lost semi-final to Ospreys)
2010–11	11th	22	6	1	15	401	543	−142	7	33
2011–12	4th	22	13	4	5	445	321	+124	5	65	(lost semi-final to Leinster)
2012–13	3rd	22	16	0	6	541	324	+217	12	76	(lost semi-final to Leinster)
2013–14	2nd & RU	22	18	0	4	484	309	+175	7	79	(lost final to Leinster)
2014–15	1st & CH	22	16	1	5	540	360	+180	9	75	(defeated Munster in final)
2015–16	3rd	22	13	1	7	557	380	+177	14	72	(lost semi-final to Connacht)
2016–17	6th	22	11	0	11	540	464	+76	14	58
2017–18	1st in Conf A	21	15	1	5	614	366	+248	14	76	(lost semi-final to Scarlets)
2018–19	1st Cf A & RU	21	16	0	5	621	380	+241	17	81	(lost final to Leinster)
2019–20	3rd in Conf A	15	8	0	7	364	329	+35	6	38	(no quarter-final place as tournament curtailed)
2020–21	4th in Conf A	16	6	0	10	335	377	-42	6	30
2020–21	3rd in Europ. League	5	4	0	1	121	117	+4	3	19
2021–22	8th	18	10	0	8	409	376	+33	10	50	(lost quarter-final to Leinster)
2022–23	4th	18	13	0	5	498	403	+95	11	63	(lost quarter-final to Munster)
2023–24	4th & CH	18	13	0	5	519	353	+166	13	65	(defeated Bulls in final)

European Challenge Cup

Heineken Cup / European Champions Cup

Season	Pos	Pld	W	D	L	F	A	+/-	BP	Pts	Notes
1996–97 ᵜ	5th in Pool A	5	1	0	4	113	202	-89	-	2
1997–98 ᵜ	2nd in Pool 2	6	3	0	3	132	167	-35	-	6	(lost Qtr-Final play-off to Leicester Tigers)
1998–99 β	4th in Pool 4	6	2	0	4	121	187	-66	-	4
1999–00 β	3rd in Pool 1	6	2	0	4	130	179	-49	-	4
2000–01 β	4th in Pool 6	6	1	0	5	137	227	-90	-	2
2001–02 ᵜ	3rd in Pool 5	6	2	1	3	126	198	-72	-	5
2002–03 ᵜ	3rd in Pool 3	6	2	0	4	86	185	+74	-	19
2003–04 ᵜ	2nd round	4	3	0	1	107	66	+41	-	-	(lost to Saracens on aggregate)
2004–05 ᵜ	4th in Pool 3	6	0	0	6	107	186	-79	2	2
2005–06	4th in Pool 5	6	1	0	5	131	190	-59	2	6
2006–07	2nd in Pool 2	6	4	1	1	204	72	+132	4	22	(lost to Saracens in Qtr-Final)
2007–08	3rd in Pool 4	6	3	0	3	130	127	+3	4	16
2008–09	3rd in Pool 5	6	2	0	4	134	150	-16	4	12
2009–10	3rd in Pool 2	6	2	0	4	120	140	-20	1	9
2010–11	3rd In Pool 6	6	3	0	3	116	141	-25	0	12
2011–12	2nd in Pool 3	6	2	1	3	131	190	-59	2	12
2012–13	4th in Pool 4	6	1	0	5	70	105	-35	2	6
2013–14	4th in Pool 2	6	2	0	4	98	130	-32	3	11
2014–15	3rd in Pool 4	6	3	0	3	108	84	+24	3	15
2015–16	3rd in Pool 3	6	3	0	3	114	96	+18	2	14
2016–17	2nd in Pool 1	6	4	0	2	160	86	+74	3	19	(lost to Saracens in Qtr-Final)
2017–18	4th in Pool 3	6	1	0	5	128	199	-71	3	7
2018–19	2nd in Pool 3	6	4	0	2	147	119	+28	3	19	(lost to Saracens in Qtr-Final)
2019–20	2nd in Pool 2	6	3	1	2	141	115	+26	3	17
2020–21	12th in Pool B	2	0	0	2	0	70	-70	0	0	Glasgow penalised after not fielding a team against Lyon due to covid
2021–22	9th in Pool A	4	1	0	3	82	117	-35	1	5
2022–23	2nd in Pool A & RU	4	3	1	0	107	82	+25	2	16	(lost to Toulon in Final)
2023–24	3rd in Pool C	4	2	0	2	77	63	+14	2	10	(lost to Harlequins in last 16)

Date	Winners	Score	Runners-up	Venue	Spectators
31 May 2014	Leinster Rugby	34–12	Glasgow Warriors	RDS Arena, Dublin	19,200
30 May 2015	Glasgow Warriors	31–13	Munster Rugby	Ravenhill Stadium, Belfast	17,057
25 May 2019	Leinster Rugby	18–15	Glasgow Warriors	Celtic Park, Glasgow	47,128
22 June 2024	Glasgow Warriors	21–16	Bulls	Loftus Versfeld Stadium	50,388

Date	Winners	Score	Runners-up	Venue	Spectators
19 May 2023	Toulon	43-19	Glasgow Warriors	Aviva Stadium, Dublin	31,514

For international games in amateur era see: Glasgow District
Competing as Glasgow Warriors unless stated. Scores and results list Glasgow Warrior's points tally first.
Competing as ᵜ Glasgow Rugby. Competing as ^β Glasgow Caledonian Reds.

Year	Date	Opponent	Venue	Result	Score	Tour
1998	10 November	South Africa	Firhill Stadium, Glasgow	Loss β	9–62	1998 South Africa rugby union tour of Britain and Ireland
1998	18 November	Māori All Blacks	McDiarmid Park, Perth	Loss β	15–53	Preview Report
1998	24 November	Fiji	Firhill Stadium, Glasgow	Win β	41–22	Preview Report
1999	12 August	Uruguay A	Fletcher's Fields, Markham, Ontario	Win β	68–8	Report
2003	4 February	Scotland U21	Hallhill, Dunbar	Win ᵜ	34-14	Report Archived 16 September 2017 at the Wayback Machine
2004	2 February	Scotland U21	Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh	Win ᵜ	43-0	Report Archived 23 May 2019 at the Wayback Machine
2006	13 November	Scotland U20	Meggetland Sports Complex, Edinburgh	Win	33-19	Report
2015	29 August	Canada	Graves-Oakley Memorial Park, Halifax[76]	Loss	12–19	2015 Rugby World Cup warm-up matches
2016	30 August	Canada A	Bridgehaugh Park, Stirling	Win	63–0	Preview Archived 14 September 2016 at the Wayback Machine Report Archived 2 February 2017 at the Wayback Machine

2024–25 United Rugby Championship watch · edit · discuss
	Team	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	TF	TA	TB	LB	Pts
1	Leinster	6	6	0	0	185	72	+113	28	10	5	0	29
2	Glasgow Warriors	6	4	0	2	198	114	+84	30	14	5	2	23
3	Bulls	5	4	0	1	137	94	+43	19	10	2	1	19
4	Lions	5	4	0	1	129	95	+34	16	13	2	0	18
5	Connacht	6	3	0	3	163	160	+3	24	21	4	2	18
6	Scarlets	6	3	1	2	136	117	+19	16	17	1	1	16
7	Ulster	6	3	0	3	150	161	–11	24	24	3	1	16
8	Cardiff	6	3	0	3	130	155	–25	20	22	3	1	16
9	Sharks	5	3	0	2	142	152	–10	17	22	2	1	15
10	Edinburgh	6	2	0	4	146	147	–1	19	21	3	2	13
11	Benetton	6	2	1	3	119	145	–26	14	19	2	1	13
12	Munster	6	2	0	4	146	176	–30	23	24	4	0	12
13	Stormers	5	2	0	3	118	127	-9	13	17	2	0	10
14	Ospreys	6	2	0	4	111	148	–37	14	19	1	1	10
15	Dragons	6	1	0	5	106	173	–67	13	24	1	2	7
16	Zebre Parma	6	1	0	5	84	164	–80	10	23	1	2	7
If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:[77] number of matches won; the difference between points for and points against; the number of tries scored; the most points scored; the difference between tries for and tries against; the fewest red cards received; the fewest yellow cards received.
Green background indicates teams that are in play-off places and earn a place in the 2025–26 European Champions Cup Pink background indicates teams that are in play-off places and earn a place in the 2025–26 European Challenge Cup Yellow background indicates the team that won the 2024–25 European Challenge Cup and thus qualify for the 2025–26 European Champions Cup, but are not in a play-off place Plain background indicates teams that earn a place in the 2025–26 European Challenge Cup. Q: qualified for play-offs. H: home field advantage secured for quarter-and semi-final. h; home field advantage secured for quarter-final X: cannot reach play-offs. E: qualified for Champions Cup.

2023–24 European Rugby Champions Cup Pool C
Team v t e	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	Diff	TF	TA	TB	LB	Pts
Northampton Saints (3)	4	4	0	0	137	75	+62	18	10	2	0	18
Exeter Chiefs (8)	4	3	0	1	87	99	–12	13	14	1	0	13
Glasgow Warriors (12)	4	2	0	2	77	63	+14	12	8	1	1	10
Munster (14)	4	1	1	2	93	93	0	13	10	2	1	9
Bayonne (9CC)	4	1	1	2	82	107	–25	11	16	1	1	8
Toulon	4	0	0	4	60	99	–39	7	16	0	2	2
Green background (rows 1 to 2) indicates qualification places for a home Champions Cup round of 16. Blue background (rows 3 to 4) indicates other teams qualified for the Champions Cup round of 16. Yellow background (row 5) indicates qualification place for the Challenge Cup round of 16. Plain background (row 6) indicates elimination from 2023–24 European competition. Starting table — source: European Professional Club Rugby

Position	Name	Nationality
Head coach	Franco Smith	South Africa
Assistant coach	Peter Murchie	Scotland
Assistant coach	Nigel Carolan	Ireland
Scrum Coach	Alasdair Dickinson	Scotland

Position	Name	Nationality
Chairman	Charles Shaw	Scotland
Managing director	Alastair Kellock	Scotland
Advisory Board Member	Walter Malcolm	Scotland
Advisory Board Member	Paul Taylor	Scotland
Advisory Board Member	Jim Preston	Scotland
Advisory Board Member	Douglas McCrea	Scotland
Advisory Board Member	Alan Lees	Scotland

Glasgow Rugby United Rugby Championship squad[a]
Props Jamie Bhatti Allan Dell Zander Fagerson Nathan McBeth Fin Richardson Patrick Schickerling Rory Sutherland Sam Talakai Murphy Walker Hookers Angus Fraser Gregor Hiddleston Johnny Matthews Grant Stewart Locks Scott Cummings JP du Preez Alex Samuel Max Williamson	Back row Gregor Brown Rory Darge Jack Dempsey Matt Fagerson Euan Ferrie Jack Mann Ally Miller Sione Vailanu Henco Venter Scrum-halves Ben Afshar Jamie Dobie George Horne Sean Kennedy Fly-halves Adam Hastings Tom Jordan Duncan Weir	Centres Huw Jones Stafford McDowall Kyle Steyn (c) Sione Tuipulotu Wings Sebastián Cancelliere Facundo Cordero Kyle Rowe Logan Trotter Fullbacks Josh McKay Ollie Smith
(c) denotes the team captain, Bold denotes internationally capped players. * denotes players qualified to play for Scotland on residency or dual nationality. ST denotes a short-term signing. L denotes a player on loan at the club. Players and their allocated positions from the Glasgow Warriors website.[78] ^ Taking into account signings and departures head of 2024–25 season as listed on List of 2024–25 United Rugby Championship transfers.

Glasgow Warriors Academy squad[a]
Props Tom Banatavala Callum Norrie Jake Shearar Callum Smyth Hookers Oliver McKenna Joe Roberts Locks Ryan Burke Dan Halkon Olujare Oguntibeju	Back row Maccenzie Duncan Archie McMichael Jonny Morris Rory Purvis Scrum-halves Brent Jackson Fly-halves Richie Simpson Matthew Unwin	Centres Alex Brydon Duncan Munn Ben Salmon Johnny Ventisei Kerr Yule Wings Amena Caqusau Aidan Cross Kerr Johnston Fullbacks Harry Provan Fergus Watson
(c) denotes the team captain, Bold denotes internationally capped players. * denotes players qualified to play for Scotland on residency or dual nationality. ST denotes a short-term signing. Players and their allocated positions from the Glasgow Warriors website.[79][80] ^ Taking into account signings and departures head of 2024–25 season as listed on List of 2024–25 United Rugby Championship transfers.

Coach	Period(s)
Danny Wilson	06/2020 – 06/2022
Dave Rennie	06/2017 – 05/2020
Gregor Townsend	06/2012 – 05/2017
Sean Lineen	03/2006 – 06/2012
Hugh Campbell	04/2003 – 03/2006
Kiwi Searancke	06/2002 – 04/2003
Richie Dixon	01/1999 – 06/2002
Keith Robertson	11/1997 – 01/1999
Kevin Greene	1996 – 11/1997

Assistant Coach	Period(s)
Peter Horne	06/2022 – 11/2023
Kenny Murray	07/2013 – 01/2022
Kelly Brown	08/2020 – 02/2021
Jonny Bell	06/2020 – 06/2021
Petrus du Plessis	06/2019 – 07/2020
John Dalziel	05/2019 – 08/2020
Jason O'Halloran	05/2017 – 06/2020
Jonathan Humphreys	05/2017 – 06/2019
Mike Blair	05/2016 – 06/2019
Dan McFarland	06/2015 – 05/2017
Matt Taylor	06/2012 – 05/2017
Shade Munro	04/2003 – 06/2015
Gary Mercer	06/2005 – 06/2012
Sean Lineen	04/2003 – 03/2006
Steve Anderson	06/2002 – 04/2003
Rob Moffat	01/1999 – 06/2002
Gordon Macpherson	1996 – 04/2003

Managing Director / CEO	Period(s)
Nathan Bombrys	10/2011 – 03/2021
Kenny Baillie	10/2009 – 09/2011
Ian Riddoch	07/2007 – 07/2009
David Jordan	07/1997 – 01/2005

This section is for FORMER players only. Current players should not be added to this section.

For amateur era see:

For a list of competitive debuts for all professional era players see:

Club Captain	Period(s)
Callum Gibbins	2018 – 2020
Ryan Wilson	2017 – 2022
Henry Pyrgos	2016 – 2017
Jonny Gray	2015 – 2017
Al Kellock	2006 – 2015
Jon Petrie	2004 – 2006
Cameron Mather	2003 – 2004
Andy Nicol	1999 – 2003
Gordon Bulloch	1996 – 1999

Former players who have reached the 200 caps mark for Glasgow Warriors. Competitive matches only.^[81]
Players not given a full senior international rugby union cap by their country under World Rugby rules. ♟

Rob Harley: (2010–22) 267 caps

Ryan Wilson: (2010–23) 222 caps

Former players who have reached the 100 caps mark for Glasgow Warriors. Competitive matches only.^[81]
Players not given a full senior international rugby union cap by their country under World Rugby rules. ♟

Chris Fusaro: (2010–21) 183 caps Peter Horne: (2009–21) 182 caps Graeme Morrison: (2003–13) 176 caps Pat MacArthur: (2007–18) 165 caps Jon Petrie: (1998–2007) 156 caps Alastair Kellock: (2006–15) 156 caps Gordon Bulloch: (1996–2005) 151 caps Dougie Hall: (1999-2002 & 2007–14) 151 caps Moray Low: (2006–14) 150 caps Tommy Seymour: (2011–21) 150 caps John Barclay: (2005–13) 148 caps Graeme Beveridge: (1998–2007) 147 caps Henry Pyrgos: (2010–2018) 147 caps Kevin Tkachuk (2004–2011) 146 caps Dan Parks: (2003–2010) 143 caps Fraser Brown: (2012–2024) 141 caps Andrew Henderson: (2000–2009) 140 caps Nikola Matawalu: (2012-15 & 2017–21) 138 caps Tim Swinson: (2012–20) 137 caps Johnnie Beattie: (2004–12) 137 caps Dan Turner♟: (2004–2010) 135 caps Donnie Macfadyen: (1999–2008) 132 caps Colin Gregor♟: (2003–2011) 130 caps Ali Price: (2015–2023) 130 caps

James Eddie♟: (2004–2016) 126 caps Fergus Thomson: (2002–2013) 124 caps D. T. H. van der Merwe: (2009-15 & 2017–20) 123 caps Stuart Hogg: (2010–2019) 121 caps Hefin O'Hare♟: (2005–2011) 121 caps Tommy Seymour: (2011–2021) 120 caps Alex Dunbar: (2009–2019) 119 caps Peter Murchie: (2009–2017) 116 caps Tommy Hayes (1997–2003) 115 caps Sean Lamont: (2003–05 & 2012–17) 113 caps Gordon Reid: (2010–2017) 113 caps Alan Bulloch: (1996–2004) 112 caps Ryan Grant: (2010-17 & 2017–18) 112 caps Jonny Gray: (2012–2020) 110 caps Jon Welsh: (2008–2015) 110 caps Alex Allan: (2014–2021) 109 caps Sam Pinder: (2003–2009) 106 caps Sam Johnson: (2015–2023) 104 caps Josh Strauss: (2012–2017) 104 caps Oli Kebble: (2017–2024) 104 caps Glenn Metcalfe: (1996–2004) 102 caps Ed Kalman: (2007–2014) 101 caps George Turner: (2017–2024) 101 caps Gordon McIlwham: (1996–2002) 100 caps Lee Harrison♟ (2000–2006) 100 caps

The following former Glasgow players, in addition to representing Scotland, have also represented the British and Irish Lions.

Mike Blair Gordon Bulloch Craig Chalmers Chris Cusiter Ross Ford[82][83]

Ryan Grant Richie Gray Stuart Hogg Sean Maitland Euan Murray Tommy Seymour

Andy Nicol Ali Price Finn Russell Tom Smith Rob Wainwright

The following (not previously listed above) former Glasgow players have represented Scotland at full international level.

Willie Anderson Adam Ashe Mark Bennett Simon Berghan Hugh Blake Kelly Brown Kevin Bryce Ben Cairns Stewart Campbell Andy Craig James Craig Michael Cusack Rob Dewey Max Evans Thom Evans Nick Grigg Stuart Grimes

Andrew Hall Craig Hamilton Grayson Hart Dave Hilton Tyrone Holmes Rory Hughes Gary Isaac Ian Jardine Lee Jones Rory Kerr Rory Lamont Scott Lawson John Leslie Shaun Longstaff Kenny Logan Kieran Low

John Manson Cameron Mather Murray McCallum Byron McGuigan Kevin McKenzie James McLaren Rufus McLean Stuart Moffat Shade Munro Chris Paterson Derrick Patterson Matt Proudfoot

D'Arcy Rae Roland Reid Tom Ryder Javan Sebastian Rowen Shepherd Gordon Simpson Derek Stark Jon Steel Ross Thompson Richie Vernon Murray Wallace Alan Watt Jason White Andrew Wilson

The following is a list of notable non-Scottish (not previously listed above) international representative former Glasgow players:

Argentina Federico Aramburú Gabriel Ascárate German Araoz Francisco Leonelli Domingo Miotti Enrique Pieretto José María Núñez Piossek Lucio Sordoni Bernardo Stortoni Australia Cameron Blades Nick Frisby Taqele Naiyaravoro Bahamas George Hunter Canada Connor Braid Chauncey O'Toole Taylor Paris Djustice Sears-Duru Cook Islands Mike Beckham Fiji Mesu Dolokoto Nemia Kenatale Leone Nakarawa Jerry Yanuyanutawa

Georgia Shalva Mamukashvili Germany Hagen Schulte Hong Kong Ally Maclay Dave Whiteford Ireland James Downey Ian Keatley Italy Simone Favaro Leonardo Sarto Samuela Vunisa Namibia Tjiuee Uanivi Netherlands Caleb Korteweg Rob Verbakel

New Zealand Corey Flynn Daryl Gibson Angus Macdonald Lelia Masaga Samoa Brian Alainu'uese Lome Fa'atau TJ Ioane David Lemi Opeta Palepoi Aki Seiuli Justin Va'a Tonga Ofa Faingaʻanuku Walter Fifita Siua Halanukonuka Fotu Lokotui Viliami Maʻafu Sila Puafisi Uganda Tony Nyangweso USA Langilangi Haupeakui Folau Niua David Tameilau Zimbabwe Denford Mutamangira Nico Nyemba

The following is a list of notable (not previously listed above) former Glasgow players who have achieved notability in fields outwith rugby:

• Danny Ablett – Royal Navy surgeon, Operational Service Medal for Afghanistan
• Nick Campbell – Scottish heavyweight boxing champion^[84]
• Joe Naufahu – Actor, Game of Thrones season 6
• Gerwyn Price – Professional darts player, Professional Darts Corporation, former world number one and 2021 world champion.

• 2006–07: Euan Murray (1)^[85]
• 2007–08: no Glasgow Warriors represented (0)^[85]
• 2008–09: no Glasgow Warriors represented (0)^[85]
• 2009–10: Al Kellock, John Barclay, Dan Parks (3)^[85]
• 2010–11: Richie Gray (1)^[86]

• 2011–12: Jon Welsh, Tom Ryder, Duncan Weir (3)^[86]
• 2012–13: Ryan Grant, Al Kellock, Nikola Matawalu, Stuart Hogg Glasgow Warriors players top representations (4)^[87]
• 2013–14: Alex Dunbar (1)^[88]
• 2014–15: Josh Strauss, Peter Horne, Tommy Seymour (3)^[87]
• 2015–16: Leone Nakarawa (1)^[89]
• 2016–17: Tommy Seymour (1)^[90]

• 2017–18: Callum Gibbins (capt), Nick Grigg (2)^[91]
• 2018–19: Zander Fagerson (1)^[92]
• 2019–20: no Glasgow Warriors represented (0)^[93]
• 2020–21: Huw Jones (1)^[94]

• 2021–22: no Glasgow Warriors represented (0)^[95]
• 2022–23: Sione Tuipulotu (1)^[96]
• 2023–24: Sione Tuipulotu (1)^[97]

• Official website