Heineken Cup is indeed the most happening Rugby event going on currently. Conflicts, misunderstandings, rivalries, delays, critics and blaming are heating up the overall scenario. So much has happened just before the quarterfinals, one wonders what is next.
The match between Toulouse and Glasgow was to be played on Saturday but the weather was a major issue so it was postponed to Sunday. Questions were raised when second postponement was announced on Sunday and match was fixed for Tuesday. The reason of the
postponement was the delay in the arrival of the luggage of Glasgow Rugby team. Their website says, "All team luggage and essential medical and playing equipment, however, remains at Heathrow Airport.”
Other posts on Glasgow Warriors website appreciate the hospitality of Toulouse and the fact that they are constantly in touch with British Airways. Meanwhile the Warriors are training on host’s gear, which they loaned from them. Warriors keep on stressing
the fact that Toulouse has been very hospitable and kind enough to bare the delay. British Airways have informed Glasgow Warriors that they have committed significant resources to finding the missing luggage and will have it dispatched to the team in Toulouse
as soon as possible.
The welfare and safety of the Glasgow Warriors players remains the club’s number one priority. Meanwhile, despite the difficult circumstances, the squad continues to prepare for the match. Sean Lineen and his coaching staff took the players through a light
training session at the Stade Ernest Wallon to which the club arranged to have a number of travelling supporters brought to the ground to watch the session and meet the players and management afterwards.
At the same time, Toulouse seems annoyed and considers this delay to be an act of immaturity. Warriors arrived on Saturday morning without their luggage which was stuck in London due to arctic snap. Toulouse was amazed when Scottish players refused to play
without their luggage. Toulouse President René Bouscatel was displeased that their offer of providing replacement kit had been rejected by their Scottish rivals. He said this at a press conference on Monday.
"There is a certain amateurism, not only from the Scots, but also the organisers," Bouscatel said, adding that he was surprised the Glasgow players hadn't kept their most important equipment with them as hand luggage on the plane.” He further said that it
was scandalous that in this modern age one is incapable to find shirts and boots for twenty-five players.
Toulouse has demanded a sum of 100,000 Euros as a compensation for the holdup from European Cup Rugby. They have further demanded for a five-point win as a bonus point win for the delay according to the rules of ERC regulations.
Stuart Martin the spokesman for Glasgow Warriors explained the situation and said the luggage consisted essential medical supplies. Being elite athletes the players need explicitly designed gear. Martin had a valid point and he thanked Toulouse for understanding
the situation as it could happen to anyone randomly.
The delay not only caused economic and financial loss, three match officials have flown back to Ireland just because of it. New referees are hired for the job with the help of ERC.
He taunted, "Apparently they need soles and contact lenses. Visibly, they're blind at the moment. It leaves a bad taste in the mouth.”
The Warriors made quite late changes against the reigning champions. Hooker Dougie Hall is replaced with Fergus Thomson, Hefin O'Hare is chosen in front of Federico Aramburu, while Colin Gregor is selected over Henry Pyrgos. The scrumhalves and wings swap
places with their respective replacements, while head coach Sean Lineen had already made alterations in the backs.
Toulouse’s last score was 28-16 and they are topping the pool with 100% points. They seem to be an excellent form for long now. Glasgow stands on third position and Wasps stand on second position with ten points. Toulouse has a total of 12 points. Heineken
Cup is on its way to the finals and is getting a lot of attention from all the sports community.
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