Scotland scrum-half Ali Price is looking forward to “the big dance” after his Glasgow Warriors side powered past Ulster in the Guinness PRO14 semi-finals.
There were match-ups between a whole host of 2019 Guinness Six Nations stars as many of Scotland’s internationals lined up against many of Ireland’s Ulster contingent, but it was the Scots who prevailed in style on home turf – 50-20.
Playing in front of a packed-out crowd at Scotstoun Glasgow ran in seven tries in all, including a double for Tommy Seymour – who started four Championship matches in the spring – while young fly-half Adam Hastings also starred to sensational effect.
Price himself grabbed the game’s second try early on with a trademark dart to the blindside, and is now looking forward to next week’s final at Celtic Park.
“The start of the game was always going to be massive,” commented Price. “We’re at home and you’ve got to utilise your fans, who’ve been incredible.
“There were another 10,000 here and an early try gets them on their feet. We couldn’t not start fast, all the flags, it was pretty special and I’m glad we got off to the start we wanted too.
“In terms of what we wanted to achieve come ten o’clock on Friday night it doesn’t get much better than when you can sit there with ten or 15 minutes to go and relax, as a guy watching the end of the game.
“Job done and now we can look forward to next Saturday, still in Glasgow, we’ve made the big dance I guess!”
Early leaders thanks to Seymour’s third-minute score assisted by a brilliant Hastings pass, the hosts held a 24-3 advantage at half-time following further efforts from Price and Rob Harley.
55 minutes were on the clock when Stuart Hogg, in his final home game as a Glasgow player, provided another glimpse of his top-level ability by freeing Seymour for the winger’s second of the evening.
With their lead close to insurmountable still Glasgow pressed, and Kyle Steyn and Peter Horne dotted down either side of a trademark Marcel Coetzee score.
Rob Herring grabbed his eighth try of the season from a driving lineout, with George Horne and Michael Lowry exchanging late efforts as Ulster restored some pride in Rory Best’s final match for the province.
Price continued: “I don’t think we played particularly well, I think we’ve played better but that’s where this side is at now.
“We’ve been incredibly clinical and we let some opportunities go by coughing the ball up easily but we also took our chances and put Ulster to the sword.
“They’re a good side and they’ll obviously be disappointed. It’s not really sunk in yet but we’ll be back in Monday and we’ll go again.”
