Stafford McDowall: Glasgow have to thrive with a target on our backs

Stafford McDowall is confident Glasgow can retain their United Rugby Championship title even though he expects the league to be more competitive than ever.

Three months on from their stunning play-off final victory over Bulls in South Africa, the Warriors begin their URC defence away to Ulster on Saturday.

“Obviously after winning the league last year there’s a massive buzz around the place and we’re really excited to go out and defend our championship,” said centre McDowall.

“We put a lot of hard work in to win that championship last year and we’re taking it as a privilege that we’ve now got the pressure of defending it. There’s going to be a target on our backs but I think we have to thrive on that.

“We’ve managed to keep most of the same group together so there’s no reason we can’t go back-to-back.

“The league gets stronger every year, with the South African teams settling properly into the league now after a few years and more and more players joining the league from other leagues, so it is getting harder each year to win it, but we definitely back ourselves.”

McDowall – capped five times by Scotland – is aiming to continue his impressive ascent amid his ongoing battle with established centres Huw Jones and Sione Tuipulotu for game time at both club and international level.

“I want to keep playing regularly for Glasgow and keep my standard of performance consistent and high,” said the 26-year-old. “And if I’m playing well here, hopefully I can keep pushing for a place in the Scotland squad and the matchday 23.

“It’s challenging because Huw and Sione are both unbelievable players but I like to think they push me on and I push them on. I’d rather be in a place like this than somewhere I was starting every week with no competition.”