Glasgow Warriors stalwart reveals how nights like Bath defeat will pay dividends later in the season

The 30-year-old, who is a veteran of the squad having been at Scotstoun since 2021, captained a youthful Warriors side in their 53-5 defeat to the Somerset outfit on Friday night at Old Anniesland. The Gallagher PREM heavyweights put out a full strength starting XV while the home side was made up largely of recent academy graduates.

Glasgow are set to welcome back their international stars in time for Saturday’s 2026/27 URC opener away to Munster which means many of the players who featured across their two friendly matches will drop out of the match day squad. However, most of those established names will depart for Scotland duty again in November and February and Miller is confident that the youngsters can step up again having tested themselves against such high quality opponents the past few weeks.

‘Real positive’ - Ally Miller explains benefits of pre-season tests for young players later in season

“I think that's the real positive at Glasgow,” the former Edinburgh and London Scottish man explained. “We've got plans in place for when we've got 20-25 internationals away.

“We have got periods in the season that myself and then other guys in the building have to step up and really put their best foot forward. So I think working with these guys, this opportunity is brilliant for going through the season as well.

“We're trying to keep everything as consistent as possible, so that's the leadership group we've got at Warriors. Most of them do go away to the national team, it's about trying to keep the same messaging and the same motivations when we get an opportunity during those November and February windows.

“It's an exciting place to be and it's about trying to make the most of experiences like we had tonight, even though it got a bit wet at the end. The youngsters are always putting their hand up, which is exciting, and our training levels are driving the whole team forward.

“Franco's massive on training standards and we always put together good training weeks, so if we can build a bit of momentum going through the season it's all happy days. I think that's where Franco does a brilliant job with exposing youngsters at the right time and getting everyone up to speed, because you've got to take your shot when you get it.”

Pre-season training is now complete for Warriors and it’s full steam ahead to Thomond Park on Saturday where Munster await. It’s a match that has traditionally been a fiery encounter with a rivalry having built up over the years.

“We've been building these rivalries with most teams, most weekends there's a big rivalry coming up,” added Miller. “It's about plucking those motivations through the week and it’s always a good contest.

“We'll go back to the grind on Monday, refresh the bodies and we'll drip feed these national boys that have had a good break over the summer back in as well. It's kind of tapping on all the experience we've got at Scotstoun.

“It's absolutely brilliant. Similar to tonight [against Bath], you want these big games over the season. It's going to be an exciting season, so we're looking forward to it.”

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