Glasgow Warriors skipper reveals key message for South Africa tour after Champions Cup heartbreak
Kyle Steyn was gutted after their 22-19 defeat to Toulon but says the Glasgow players must channel that back into their URC campaign
Glasgow Warriors’ captain Kyle Steyn says it’s important that they channel the disappointment of their Champions Cup exit and return with a positive reaction in the URC.
A 22-19 defeat to Toulon denied Franco Smith’s side a first ever semi final in the competition as the players left the pitch despondent. Despite that disappointment, Warriors remain top of the URC and return to action in that competition with a double header in South Africa over the next fortnight.
A select group of players will travel on Tuesday for the tour where they will face the Lions and then the Stormers. As Glasgow are still stop of the standings it will be important to respond with an improved performance after what was ultimately a slip in standards against Toulon.
Toulon showed ‘Championship DNA’ says Steyn
"Everyone's gutted.” said Steyn after the defeat. “We desperately wanted more for this jersey, this campaign, and it's not to be.
“Credit to Toulon because they've got that championship DNA and I think they showed it more consistently than we did. We've been in this position before where this tournament's ended for us and we've had guys that have learned a good lesson today.
“We've got a core of this group that's been on this journey since Franco's been here that understand what you need this time of year and now all the energy will be going to make sure that we try our best to not let another chance slip by in the URC.
“I think if today showed you anything, the way the pool stage has gone and then the knockout today, you just don't look further than the week ahead. We've got the South Africa trip and then we come back to Ulster and Cardiff and that's what the message is going to be. It's about putting everything into every week now and every day, every training day, because we don't want to feel like this again.”
Warriors lose two more players ahead of South Africa tour
Warriors have added Max Williamson to their already extensive injury list, who will likely miss four to six weeks, and Adam Hastings is not expected to travel due to concussion protocols following his HIA failure in the Toulon defeat.
“It's a real shame that we can't take the whole squad out there and get that change of scenery together,” added Steyn. "For the guys that have to stay behind, it's a good change of pace for them too.
“There's pros in being able to stay behind and get together. I think they're going to have something organised with the boys that are injured, so the guys that are here will get to connect in a good way.
"Those of us that get to go to South Africa, there'll be hard work first and foremost. It definitely gives us the opportunity to spend some time together.
“It's a really difficult tour. They're difficult places to go and play, and that's exactly what we need in the build-up for the knockout stages.
“It's something we've learned under Franco that you don't try anything, you take everything head-on. What better way to go there and start with the Lions than in the Stormers.
“They're two really tough teams, really tough places to go and play rugby. Looking forward to the challenge and looking forward to being able to put some of these lessons into action.”
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