Glasgow Warriors boss glad to have Stevie Swindall back on board

Aug 26 2010 By Matthew Leslie

PRE-SEASON friendlies don't get you points says Glasgow Warriors boss Sean Lineen after being edged out by Sale Sharks at Firhill last week.

The Warriors lost a thrilling encounter 23-22 to the Lancashire aces but Lineen was encouraged by the display put in by a young side wracked with injuries.

Missing the likes of Johnnie Beattie, Al Kellock, Thom Evans, Chris Cusiter and Jon Welsh, Lineen's young guns took the fight to Sale.

Glasgow ran in four tries thanks to Richie Gray (2), Max Evans and young prop Ryan Grant with fine displays by youngsters Henry Pyrgos and Duncan Weir at scrum-half and stand-offrespectively.

But what also caught the eye - apart from a number of embarrassing howlers from the match announcer - was the return of old favourite Stevie Swindall at number 8.

Swindall has spent the last two years at Rotherham after injury trouble hampered his attempts to break into the team during his first spell and Lineen says the chance to extend his latest spell is there to be taken.

He said: "He's here for the month and if he continues to impress and we can work out a deal with the budgetary constraints we have then who knows?

"Stevie was let go by Rotherham and given our injury troubles in the back row, we just rang him up and asked him to come and train with us.

"You saw against Sale that he has a lot to contribute and by setting up two of our tries he's put his hand up.

"Henry and Duncan - in fact all the young guys - did well too and although we lost, pre-season friendlies don't get you the points to top the league.

"We've a tough friendly at Wasps this weekend but it's all about developing the guys and making sure they're ready for the league opener against Leinster."

Glasgow have been honoured this week wi th not only three player s making it into the Magners League team of last season but also having skipper Al Kellock being made as captain of the starstudded line-up.

Lineen added: "I'm absolutely delighted for John Barclay , Dan Parks and especially Al Kellock.

"I remember years ago sitting in his flat persuading him to sign for Glasgow because I knew he was captaincy material before that.

"We've seen him develop over the years and that was shown with his superb leadership as Scotland captain when we beat Argentina in the test series over there earlier this summer."