Johnny Matthews on Glasgow Warriors exit, Montauban 'football' lure and double goal

The 32-year-old will join Montauban in the summer and is aiming to arrive in France as a double URC winner.

Matthews was the league’s top try-scorer when Glasgow lifted the trophy in 2024 and he was back to his prolific best on Friday night, bagging a brace as the Warriors beat Cardiff 40-17 to go back to the top of the table.

With one game to go in the regular season - away to Ulster on Friday - they are now in a strong position for a home pathway in the play-offs. That would mean a quarter-final at Scotstoun at the end of May and, if that goes Glasgow’s way, a semi-final at Murrayfield the following week.

Unfortunately, if they reach the final it looks as if Glasgow will have to do it the hard way and try to win away from home, just like they did in 2024. But for now, Matthews is focusing on beating Ulster and finishing top of the table. Their hopes were boosted by the Stormers dropping points in Belfast on Friday as they drew with Ulster.

Back in our hands

“I think with Stormers drawing, it's put it back in our hands,” he said. “We know we go over there, we do a job, we get five points and we're top of the chart. We can go from there.

“We've got [potentially] four games to go here, and that's where my focus is, and trying to finish the season as a double URC champion, that's what my aim is.”

Matthews had a year remaining on his Glasgow contract and is grateful to head coach Franco Smith and MD Kenny Brown for allowing him to negotiate with Montauban. It has allowed him to realise a professional ambition of playing in France and the hooker has signed a three-year deal with the club who will almost certainly be playing in Pro D2 next season.

“First of all, I've loved my time in Glasgow. I have to thank them for allowing me to take the opportunity,” he said. “I think it was just the length of the contract. Three years gives me a great opportunity to go to France and try and prove myself. I think if you can make it there and make a name for yourself over there, then it's similar to here, I think. You'll be held in high esteem, so that's my objective and something I've always wanted to do.”

Matthews will link up with former Warriors team-mates Lewis Bean and Lucio Sordoni at Montauban and is looking forward to warmer weather and a vibrant fanbase.

Closest I’ve come to a football game

“Whenever you play over there, we've played some big European games, the passion that they show for their team is the closest I've ever come to playing in a football game. I think that's something I've always wanted to feel and have behind me.”

Fellow Warriors Huw Jones and Adam Hastings are also heading to France, to Toulon and Montpellier, respectively, and Matthews said there had been some tentative attempts at learning the language via Duolingo. And while he is looking forward to testing himself in a new environment, it will be still be a huge wrench to leave Scotstoun.

“Yeah, it's going to be tough,” he said. “I’ve been here for the last seven years. So I think to say goodbye, I think it's probably going to get harder and harder every week, it's certainly going to be emotional. But we've got four games to go, all being well, and we'll make the most of it.”