This week our Heineken Champions Cup focus is on Glasgow Warriors, who have been drawn in Pool 3 with two-time European Cup winners Saracens, 2017 Challenge Cup winners Cardiff Blues and Champions Cup debutants Lyon.

MPU – In article – English

What is their European Cup record like?

Glasgow Warriors have reached the European Cup quarter-finals on one occasion, in 2017, when they were beaten 38-13 by the eventual winners Saracens.

They struggled last year in Europe’s top-tier competition, finishing fourth in Pool 3 behind Montpellier, Exeter Chiefs and Leinster Rugby.

Who is on their coaching staff?

Dave Rennie was named head coach at Scotstoun last season, replacing Gregor Townsend when he left to take charge of the Scotland national team. Rennie had previously had spells at Super Rugby sides Hurricanes and Chiefs.

The New Zealander’s assistants include former All Black centre Jason O’Halloran, one-time Wales hooker Jonathan Humphreys, Kenny Murray and ex-British and Irish Lions scrum-half Mike Blair.

Who are their new signings?

Glasgow have made a number of notable additions in the off season, the most high-profile of whom is Australia scrum-half Nick Frisby, who joins on a two-year-deal from French side Bordeaux-Bègles.

They have also signed USA Eagles back-row forward David Tameilau, Scotland hooker George Turner and Canada utility back D.T.H van der Merwe.

Who are some of their other key players?

The Warriors boast several Scotland internationals, including full-back Stuart Hogg, lock Jonny Gray and scrum-half George Horne.

We could see plenty more from the likes of Adam Hastings and Ruaridh Jackson – who has scored 177 points in European Rugby – next season after fly-half Finn Russell has moved on to Racing 92.

What are they saying about the draw?

Assistant coach Kenny Murray told Glasgow Warriors’ official website: “The groups are always tough because you’re playing the elite teams in Europe, so it’s always going to be a tough group.

“I think we have quite a good group, with an English and French side, along with a PRO14 team as well. We’ve played Saracens recently and we know how tough that will be, but they are certainly not unbeatable and that will be a good test for us.

“We’ve performed well against Cardiff Blues in recent times and managed to get some good wins against them, but they are a team we have huge respect for.

“Lyon will be a bit of an unknown quantity to us, as we’ve not played them in Europe before. They will be an interesting one to preview and with them being a TOP 14 semi-finalist, they will be a strong side.”

The fixtures for the new season will be announced around two weeks after the announcement of the last fixture list from the European professional domestic leagues.