Smith backs Murrayfield move to energise Glasgow ahead of URC semi-final against Bulls

Glasgow Warriors head coach Franco Smith has played down any disruption caused by moving their United Rugby Championship semi-final against the Bulls to Murrayfield on 6 June, insisting the switch to the home of Scottish rugby was embraced from the outset rather than treated as a setback.

Scotstoun, Warriors’ regular ground, is unavailable after being requisitioned by Commonwealth Games 2026 organisers. Rather than viewing Edinburgh’s national stadium as a neutral compromise, Smith framed it as an upgrade in atmosphere.

“It was never a consideration, it wasn’t even mentioned, the fact that we are not going to play at Scotstoun,” Smith said. “It was always from the start about being excited to go and play at the home of Scottish rugby.”

Smith has made a single change to the starting XV that beat Connacht in last week’s quarter-final, with Gregor Hiddleston coming in for Johnny Matthews, who is sidelined with a quad strain. More encouragingly for the top seeds, scrum-half George Horne has recovered from a hand injury to keep his place, while Scotland back Jamie Dobie returns to the bench after missing action since February with a shoulder problem.

“George’s hand was a real concern at the start of the week and I’m just thankful that he’s progressed so well,” Smith said. “It’s good to have Dobie ready and final testing cleared, so we’re excited to have them available. They bring a lot of energy.”

Glasgow face a Bulls side that has won five consecutive matches since losing to the Warriors at Scotstoun in the Champions Cup last 16 in early April. Smith acknowledged the Pretoria-based franchise has grown considerably since that defeat, benefiting from a run of home fixtures at altitude.

“They’re a top team,” Smith said. “Since then they’ve played the Scarlets and then they’ve had a nice time at home where they’ve played at high altitude regularly, and obviously they then managed to put a good streak of games together. They’ve grown in confidence.”

Smith went further in his assessment, describing the Bulls as among the most well-resourced sides in the competition. “They are one of the best teams, if not the best-stocked team, in the competition,” he said — a notable concession from the coach of the side that finished the regular season as URC leaders.