Stafford McDowall: Warriors preparing for 'massive challenge' against Leicester

Glasgow Warriors are preparing for a “massive challenge” when they take on Leicester Tigers in the European Rugby Champions Cup.

Franco Smith’s men host the English Premiership side at Scotstoun on Saturday in the last-16 clash as they look to reach the quarter-finals.

Centre Stafford McDowall, who played every game for Scotland in the recent Six Nations, says it is a big week for the club, and he is under no illusions about the task at hand.

The Warriors won the United Rugby Championship last season and the 27-year-old is hoping they can take similar form into the weekend.

He said: “It’s our first ever Champions Cup knockout game at home, so it’s a big week and hopefully that brings the best out of us.

“It’s similar to the run in last season when we’ve got knockout games already and it feels like it’s come around quickly, but hopefully we can take confidence from what the boys achieved last year in the quarters, semis and final and take that into the Champions Cup.

“When you see Leicester’s recent results and just look at the names on their team sheet then you know it’s going to be a massive challenge.

“They are a very physical team, they have a very proud European heritage, so we know they will come up here full of confidence.

“Since the Six Nations some boys have gone away and came back and some of us had some time off, but I think we have built well over the last couple of weeks.

“We are happy with the result at the weekend, but we know European knockout rugby is going to be a completely different challenge.”

Scotland finished fourth in the Six Nations table after two wins and three defeats from their five games.

But despite the underwhelming results, McDowall took some personal positives from the campaign as he cemented his place in Gregor Townsend’s side.

He said: “I’ve really enjoyed my rugby this season, it’s the first time I have played a full Six Nations, so that was an unbelievable experience to play all the games in one tournament.

“Club-wise I had a bit of disruption at the start with injury and suspension, but I feel like I have kicked on well since the Six Nations.”