1996–97 Glasgow Warriors season
Ground(s)Hughenden Stadium (Capacity: 6,000)
Coach(es)New Zealand Kevin Greene
Captain(s)Scotland Gordon Bulloch
Top scorerScotland Calum MacGregor (34)
Most triesScotland Derek Stark (6)
League(s)1996–97 Scottish Inter-District Championship
2nd
Team kit

The 1996–97 season was the first in the history of the Glasgow Warriors as a professional side. The Warriors rugby union provincial side was created by turning the amateur provincial side Glasgow District into a professional outfit. During this season, the newly professional side competed as Glasgow Rugby.

This season saw Glasgow Rugby compete in the Scottish Inter-District Championship and the European Challenge Cup.

Overview

Formation of the professional side

District sides had a difficult metamorphosis into their respective professional sides in Scotland. The district sides were not members of the Scottish Rugby Union; the amateur clubs were. This meant that many top amateur club sides fancied their own chances of turning professional instead of the district sides.

The International Rugby Board embraced professionalism in 1995. The district versus clubs debate in Scotland meant that no Scottish sides were entered into the Heineken Cup for season 1995-96. A vote was held in early 1996 and although the debate was frosty the vote ended decisively for districts 178 - 24.[1]

Glasgow Rugby was formed for season 1996–97.

By October 1996, the SRU had signed 36 players on professional contracts. These 36 players were distributed between Border Reivers, Caledonia Reds, Edinburgh Rugby and Glasgow Warriors.[2]

SRU contracted players: Graeme Beveridge, Steven Brotherstone, Nick Broughton, Millan Browne, Gordon Bulloch, Darren Burns, Graeme Burns, Craig Chalmers, Graham Dall, Ian Elliot, Gareth Flockhart, Cameron Glasgow, Hugh Gilmour, Paddy Haslett, Jim Hay, Ian Jardine, Stuart Lang, Kevin McKenzie, John Manson, Cameron Murray, Scott Nichol, Guy Perrett, Bryan Redpath, Steven Reed, Stuart Reid, Brian Renwick, Rowen Shepherd, Graham Shiel, Tom Smith, Tony Stanger, Derek Stark, Barry Stewart, Rob Wainwright, Murray Wallace, Alan Watt and Scott Welsh.[2]

Turbulent times

Some people involved in amateur club rugby didn't like the decision for the District clubs to become Scotland's representatives. Keith Robertson and Gavin Hastings had already argued against the District clubs at the SRU EGM.[1]

Hastings then joined with former international Scotland captains Jim Aitken, Finlay Calder and David Sole to make a 'Gang of Four' which toured all over Scotland to promote the policy that club sides should represent Scotland in Europe.[1]

Despite Greene being well-liked by the Glasgow players - Glasgow's flyhalf Calum MacGregor once gave this tribute of his boss: "Kevin Greene, the Glasgow coach, is the kind of man who makes the players think for themselves, like Ian McGeechan, and I prefer that to the blood-and-thunder approach. I have enjoyed playing for Glasgow this year more than any other. I look around at the young guys in the team and they are keen and excited and that makes me feel good about the game. The players have a belief in it and a desire to win and I like that."[3] - this backdrop of resentment against the professional districts created a shaky start for the Glasgow team.

Team

Coaches

Manager

Convenor / Team Manager: Scotland Hamish Fyfe[5][6] [7]

Squad

 

Hookers
Scotland Gordon Bulloch

Props
Scotland Gordon McIlwham
England Danny Porte
Scotland Alan Perrie
Scotland Brian Robertson

Locks
Scotland Charles Afuakwah
Scotland Stephen Begley
Scotland Shade Munro
Scotland Malcolm Norval
Scotland Guy Perrett

 

Loose forwards
Scotland Gordon Mackay
Scotland David McLeish
Scotland David McVey
Scotland John Shaw
Scotland Fergus Wallace
Scotland Murray Wallace

Scrum halves
Scotland Fraser Stott
Scotland Jamie Weston

Fly halves
Scotland Kenny Baillie
Scotland George Breckenridge
Scotland Andrew Garry
Scotland Cameron Little
Scotland Calum MacGregor
Scotland John MacLeod

 

Centres
Scotland Alan Bulloch
Scotland Harry Bassi
Scotland Ian Jardine
Scotland James McLaren

Back Three
Scotland James Craig
Scotland Kenny Logan
Scotland Glenn Metcalfe
Scotland Derek Stark
Scotland Craig Sangster

 

Academy players

None

Player statistics

During the 199697 season, Glasgow have used 30 different players in competitive games. The table below shows the number of appearances and points scored by each player.

Position Nation Name Scottish Inter-District Championship European Conference Total
Apps
(sub)
Tries Points
kicked
Apps
(sub)
Tries Points
kicked
Apps
(sub)
Total Pts
HKScotlandGordon Bulloch30050080
PRScotlandGordon McIlwham300(1)003(1)0
PRScotlandAlan Perrie00050050
PRScotlandBrian Robertson30050080
LKScotlandCharles Afuakwah000(1)00(1)0
LKScotlandStephen Begley10040050
LKScotlandShade Munro30010040
LKScotlandMalcolm Norval20050070
BRScotlandGordon Mackay000(3)10(3)5
BRScotlandDavid McLeish31050085
BRScotlandDavid McVey000(1)00(1)0
BRScotlandJohn Shaw00050050
BRScotlandFergus Wallace30051085
BRScotlandMurray Wallace30000030
SHScotlandJamie Weston00031035
SHScotlandFraser Stott3001(1)004(1)0
FHScotlandKenny Baillie000(1)00(1)0
FHScotlandGeorge Breckenridge0001(2)0181(2)18
FHScotlandAndrew Garry30010040
FHScotlandCameron Little0001(2)131(2)8
FHScotlandCalum MacGregor31171012434
FHScotlandJohn MacLeod00030030
CEScotlandHarry Bassi00020020
CEScotlandAlan Bulloch100520610
CEScotlandIan Jardine00010010
WGScotlandJames Craig230220425
WGScotlandKenny Logan336220531
WGScotlandDerek Stark320440730
FBScotlandGlenn Metcalfe1004(1)105(1)5
FBScotlandCraig Sangster2(1)003(2)055(3)5

Staff movements

Coaches

Personnel in

Personnel out

None

Player movements

Academy promotions

None

Player transfers

Competitions

Pre-season and friendlies

None.

European Challenge Cup

The previous year's Scottish Inter-District Championship was a forgettable one for Glasgow who finished last. This meant that the SRU did not enter Glasgow in the Heineken Cup for the new season 1996-97. Instead Glasgow entered the lower European tournament, the Challenge Cup, or as it was then known the European Conference, in Pool A. This was one of 4 Pools in the tournament and Glasgow was Scotland's only representative.

Kevin Greene, the Glasgow coach, later admitted that preparation for Glasgow's first foray into Europe was poor. He recalled the first game against Newbridge: "We had no information at all on Newbridge. We should at least have had some data and perhaps even a video, but the SRU had nothing. It made preparation very awkward."[8]

Pool A

Team P W D L Tries for Tries against Try diff Points for Points against Points diff Pts
France Agen 5500209+1115682+7410
France Montferrand 5401308+2221174+1378
England Sale Sharks 53021814+4166115+516
Wales Newport 520314191598158604
Scotland Glasgow 5104153015113202892
Wales Newbridge 50051633171062191130
Source : www.ercrugby.com Archived 2013-08-20 at archive.today

Results

Round 1
12 October 1996
Newbridge RFC Wales38-62Scotland Glasgow
Try: Leighton Winder
Hayden Jeffreys
Joe Powell
Simon Jenkins
Glyn Harding
Con: Jason Williams x 4
Preview
Report
Try: Kenny Logan x 2
Derek Stark x 4
Alan Bulloch x 2
Glenn Metcalfe
Cameron Little
Con: Calum MacGregor x 6
The Welfare Ground
Referee: Ashley Rowden (RFU)
Round 2
16 October 1996
Glasgow Scotland9 – 29England Sale Sharks
Pen: George Breckenridge x 3Preview
Preview
Report
Try: John Fowler x 3
Con: Andy Griffin
Pen: Andy Griffin x 4
Hughenden Stadium
Referee: Bernard Perez (FFR)
Round 3
19 October 1996
Montferrand France76 – 9Scotland Glasgow
Try: Gilles Darlet
Raphael Saint-Andre
Gérald Merceron
David Bory x 2
Christophe Larrue
Eric Lecomte
Arnaud Costes
Jean-Marc Lhermet
Nicolas Nadau
Con: Gérald Merceron x 6
Pen: Gérald Merceron
Drop: Eric Nicol
Preview
Preview
Report
Report
Pen: George Breckenridge x 3
Stade Marcel-Michelin
Referee: Gerry Wallis (RFU)
Round 4
26 October 1996
2.30pm
Newport RFC Wales25-10Scotland Glasgow
Try: David Smith
Martyn Lleweyen
Shaun Connor
Con: Shaun Connor
Alex Lawson
Pen: Shaun Connor x2
Preview
Preview
Report
Report
Report
Try: Fergus Wallace
Con: Craig Sangster
Pen: Craig Sangster
Rodney Parade
Referee: Ed Morrison (RFU)
Round 5
30 October 1996
Glasgow Scotland23 – 34France Agen
Try: James Craig x 2
Jamie Weston
Gordon Mackay
Pen: Cameron Little
Preview
Preview
Report
Report
Try: Vincent Thomas
Laurent Loubere
Jean-Francois Mateo
David Lagrange x 2
Con: Stephane Prosper x 3
Drop: Stephane Prosper
Hughenden
Referee: Claudio Giacomel (FIR)

Scottish Inter-District Championship

It was decided that the Scottish Inter-District Championship places would decide which Scottish sides would enter the Heineken Cup and which would enter the European Challenge Cup.

The 4 newly professional district teams Glasgow Rugby, Edinburgh Rugby, Border Reivers and Caledonia Reds would play off for the Championship. As this decided European places it was decided that it was not appropriate for London Scottish or a Scottish Exiles side to be invited into the Championship.

Each team would play one another only once, swapping home and away each year. With only 4 teams this meant that the Championship was decided by each team playing just 3 matches.

The top 3 sides qualified for the Heineken Cup next season and the fourth qualified for the Challenge Cup. Due to the weather Glasgow's match against Edinburgh was switched to Murrayfield as its undersoil heating was best placed to deal with frost. Glasgow lost their final match against Caledonia Reds and finished 2nd behind the Reds. Caledonia Reds, the Border Reivers and Glasgow qualified for the Heineken Cup for the next season.

1996-97 League Table

Team P W D L PF PA +/- Pts
Caledonia Reds 32107753+245
Glasgow 32017357+164
Border Reivers 31115961-23
Edinburgh 30033569-340

Results

Round 1
Round 2
29 December 1996
Border Reivers24 36Glasgow
Try: Bennett
Nichol
Davidson
Pen: Parker x 3
Preview
Report
Report
Try: Kenny Logan x 2
James Craig x 2
David McLeish
Con: Calum MacGregor x 4
Pen: Calum MacGregor
Murrayfield Stadium
Referee: Jim Fleming
Round 3

Competitive debuts this season

A player's nationality shown is taken from the nationality at the highest honour for the national side obtained; or if never capped internationally their place of birth. Senior caps take precedence over junior caps or place of birth; junior caps take precedence over place of birth. A player's nationality at debut may be different from the nationality shown. Combination sides like the British and Irish Lions or Pacific Islanders are not national sides, or nationalities.

Players in BOLD font have been capped by their senior international XV side as nationality shown.

Players in Italic font have capped either by their international 7s side; or by the international XV 'A' side as nationality shown.

Players in normal font have not been capped at senior level.

A position in parentheses indicates that the player debuted as a substitute. A player may have made a prior debut for Glasgow Warriors in a non-competitive match, 'A' match or 7s match; these matches are not listed.

Tournaments where competitive debut made:

Scottish Inter-District Championship Welsh–Scottish League WRU Challenge Cup Celtic League Celtic Cup 1872 Cup Pro12 Pro14 Rainbow Cup United Rugby Championship European Challenge Cup Heineken Cup / European Champions Cup

Crosshatching indicates a jointly hosted match.

Number Player nationality Name Position Date of debut Venue Stadium Opposition nationality Opposition side Tournament Match result Scoring debut
1ScotlandAlan PerrieProp1996-10-12AwayThe Welfare GroundWalesNewbridgeEuropean Challenge CupWinNil
2ScotlandGordon BullochHooker1996-10-12AwayThe Welfare GroundWalesNewbridgeEuropean Challenge CupWinNil
3ScotlandBrian RobertsonProp1996-10-12AwayThe Welfare GroundWalesNewbridgeEuropean Challenge CupWinNil
4ScotlandStephen BegleyLock1996-10-12AwayThe Welfare GroundWalesNewbridgeEuropean Challenge CupWinNil
5ScotlandMalcolm NorvalLock1996-10-12AwayThe Welfare GroundWalesNewbridgeEuropean Challenge CupWinNil
6ScotlandFergus WallaceFlanker1996-10-12AwayThe Welfare GroundWalesNewbridgeEuropean Challenge CupWinNil
7ScotlandJohn ShawFlanker1996-10-12AwayThe Welfare GroundWalesNewbridgeEuropean Challenge CupWinNil
8ScotlandDavid McLeishNo. 81996-10-12AwayThe Welfare GroundWalesNewbridgeEuropean Challenge CupWinNil
9ScotlandFraser StottScrum half1996-10-12AwayThe Welfare GroundWalesNewbridgeEuropean Challenge CupWinNil
10ScotlandCalum MacGregorFly half1996-10-12AwayThe Welfare GroundWalesNewbridgeEuropean Challenge CupWin12 pts
11ScotlandGlenn MetcalfeWing1996-10-12AwayThe Welfare GroundWalesNewbridgeEuropean Challenge CupWin5 pts
12ScotlandHarry BassiCentre1996-10-12AwayThe Welfare GroundWalesNewbridgeEuropean Challenge CupWinNil
13ScotlandAlan BullochCentre1996-10-12AwayThe Welfare GroundWalesNewbridgeEuropean Challenge CupWin10 pts
14ScotlandDerek StarkWing1996-10-12AwayThe Welfare GroundWalesNewbridgeEuropean Challenge CupWin20 pts
15ScotlandKenny LoganFull back1996-10-12AwayThe Welfare GroundWalesNewbridgeEuropean Challenge CupWin10 pts
16ScotlandCameron Little(Scrum half)1996-10-12AwayThe Welfare GroundWalesNewbridgeEuropean Challenge CupWin5 pts
17ScotlandGeorge Breckenridge(Wing)1996-10-12AwayThe Welfare GroundWalesNewbridgeEuropean Challenge CupWinNil
18ScotlandCraig Sangster(full back)1996-10-12AwayThe Welfare GroundWalesNewbridgeEuropean Challenge CupWinNil
19ScotlandJamie WestonScrum half1996-10-16HomeHughenden StadiumEnglandSale SharksEuropean Challenge CupLossNil
20ScotlandJohn MacLeodFly half1996-10-16HomeHughenden StadiumEnglandSale SharksEuropean Challenge CupLossNil
21ScotlandKenny Baillie(Fly-half)1996-10-16HomeHughenden StadiumEnglandSale SharksEuropean Challenge CupLossNil
22ScotlandGordon Mackay(Flanker)1996-10-16HomeHughenden StadiumEnglandSale SharksEuropean Challenge CupLossNil
23ScotlandMurray WallaceFlanker1996-10-19AwayStade Marcel-MichelinFranceAS MontferrandEuropean Challenge CupLossNil
24GhanaCharles AfuakwahLock1996-10-19AwayStade Marcel-MichelinFranceAS MontferrandEuropean Challenge CupLossNil
25ScotlandShade MunroLock1996-10-26AwayRodney ParadeWalesNewportEuropean Challenge CupLossNil
26ScotlandJames CraigWing1996-10-26AwayRodney ParadeWalesNewportEuropean Challenge CupLossNil
27ScotlandIan JardineCentre1996-10-26AwayRodney ParadeWalesNewportEuropean Challenge CupLossNil
28ScotlandDavid McVey(No. 8)1996-10-26AwayRodney ParadeWalesNewportEuropean Challenge CupLossNil
29ScotlandAndrew GarryFly half1996-10-30HomeHughenden StadiumFranceAgenEuropean Challenge CupLossNil
30ScotlandGordon McIlwhamProp1996-10-30HomeHughenden StadiumFranceAgenEuropean Challenge CupLossNil
31EnglandDanny Porte(Prop)1997-01-05AwayMurrayfield StadiumScotlandCaledonia RedsScottish Inter-District ChampionshipLossNil

Sponsorship

Main Sponsor

Official kit supplier

Canterbury

References

  1. 1 2 3 Jim Telfer (5 November 2023). Looking back... for once. Mainstream Publishing Company, Limited. ISBN 978-1-84596-062-9.
  2. 1 2 "Logan and Hastings are still negotiating with the union but . . . Professional era dawns as 36 sign SRU contracts". Herald Scotland. 11 October 1996.
  3. "Farewell to an all-time great stand-off". Herald Scotland. 7 January 1997.
  4. 1 2 "No Headline Present". Herald Scotland. 26 August 1996.
  5. 1 2 "Fyfe is seeing red over reports". Herald Scotland. 24 October 1996.
  6. "Squad prepare soon for Europe". Herald Scotland. 6 May 1997.
  7. "Munro gives Glasgow a French boost". Herald Scotland. 15 October 1996.
  8. "HERALD RECALLS HAWKS CONTRIBUTION TO GLASGOW CAUSE". glasgowhawks.com.
  9. "Glasgow boost". Herald Scotland. 10 October 1996.
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