Highland Rugby Club grateful that Glasgow Warriors will stay in Inverness to carry out community activities despite pre-season friendly against Worcester at Caledonian Stadium being cancelled
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Highland Rugby Club director of rugby Brian Bell has given his thanks to Glasgow Warriors for staying in Inverness after their scheduled pre-season friendly against Worcester was cancelled.
One of Scotland's two professional rugby clubs was set to bring the elite level of the sport to the city for the first time in 22 years as part of Highland RFC's centenary celebrations, only for the game to be called off a little over 48 hours before kick off.
However, Glasgow released a statement confirming that despite the cancellation, they would remain in Inverness as planned to complete all of their community activations – including an open training session at Canal Park tomorrow morning.
Bell is grateful for that, knowing the impact that decision could have on inspiring the next generation of rugby players in the Highlands.
"It's absolutely brilliant that they will still do their community activities," Bell said.
"I have a lot of respect for Glasgow Warriors doing that, I really appreciate that, and it will be a great opportunity for kids to come down and see their heroes.
"There are so many internationals in their squad, it will be good.
"It's in their gift what they do, and obviously they're doing what they came up to do which is connect with people in the north, which is great."
Alternative at Canal Park
The game being called off at such short notice will naturally lead to disappointment from supporters who had been hoping to see a squad full of internationals in action.
Bell shares that feeling, but appreciates that with Worcester's situation appearing bleak there are more important things in life than a rugby match.
That said, two of Highland's three teams begin their own competitive season at Canal Park on Saturday afternoon, so Bell hopes that some people who may have been planning to go to the Caledonian Stadium will instead come and watch them start the National One and Caledonia North Two seasons.
"Of course I'm disappointed, but I totally understand the situation the Worcester Warriors players find themselves in," he reasoned.
"I had really hoped the game was going to go ahead, but it was always going to be touch and go depending on how the Worcester players were getting paid, and what the circumstances down there are.
"You have to remember that a number of players are in danger of losing their livelihoods, so there's a bigger picture there as well.
"Obviously there would have been a big buzz in Inverness on Friday with professional rugby coming to the city. It might have diluted things come the Saturday, but there's enough of a buzz about our opening National One game against Ayr already within the club and the players.
"We had nearly 60 senior players at training last night, so there's a big buzz about rugby in general around the place.
"Yes, some people might be disappointed that they won't have a Friday night out, but if they come along to the club on Saturday afternoon they will get the same enjoyment that they would normally get at Highland with a fast, entertaining game.
"Canal Park is going to be the place to be to brush off the disappointment of Friday night and see Highland's players enjoying themselves and hopefully winning the game."
