Townsend believes Warriors can be first up and away

GREGOR TOWNSEND is confident Glasgow can become the first side to win a Guinness Pro12 semi-final on the road if that is what is required following Friday’s 21-10 defeat by Ospreys in Swansea.

A win at the Liberty Stadium would have been enough to ensure the Warriors would host a last-four clash at Scotstoun, but a try from Chris Fusaro plus five points from the boot of Duncan Weir never threatened to be enough against a clinical Ospreys side.

The Warriors will now need a result against Ulster at Scotstoun next weekend if they are to secure home advantage.

The consequences of failing to do so are stark, no away team has won a Pro12 play-off, but Townsend is confident his men have what it takes if that is what is needed.

‘There isn’t an awful lot to choose between the four teams who will be in the play-offs,’ said the head coach. ‘I think all the sides, including ourselves, are capable of winning away from home.

‘Of course, home advantage is desirable, as you want to play in front of your home supporters. But whoever is away from home will give their opponents a tough game.’

Townsend will also hope the ankle injury suffered by lock Tim Swinson isn’t too bad, while Fraser Brown’s hamstring injury will also be monitored.

With a crowd of 10,000 expected at Scotstoun, the visit of Ulster is sure to be a bruising affair, a confrontation flanker Rob Harley has vowed the Warriors will relish.

He said: ‘We will be confident playing at home and it will be a real cauldron to play in.

‘We have a week to learn our lessons from the defeat to Ospreys and produce a good performance against a strong Ulster side.’