Coach Franco Smith says Glasgow will take “the right approach” into their Investec Champions Cup quarter-final against Leinster in Dublin on Friday night.

The blockbuster fixture between the four-time Champions Cup winners and reigning Vodacom URC champions pits Leinster senior coach Jacques Nienaber’s defence  against Smith’s attack.

At Scotstoun Stadium last weekend, Glasgow scored six tries in their 43-19 win against Leicester, while Leinster ran in 10 tries to blank Harlequins 62-0 at Croke Park.

When appointed Glasgow coach in August 2022, Smith inherited a team that had been humiliated 76-14 by Leinster in the URC quarter-finals. He has since turned the Warriors into a side that lives up to its nickname and one that has a realistic chance of upsetting Leinster at the Aviva Stadium on Friday night.

“Look, we all know everything about Leinster,” Smith told the media on Thursday. “They’re the most talked about team. And we know that probably 90% of their squad has been on top of the world rankings with the Irish shirt on their back. So they’ve been at the top for so long.

“There’s no need to make more of them than what they already are. So for us to go to Dublin and be the best version of ourselves, so that we can come back winners regardless of the result, is going to be important.

“They’re a quality outfit but they are also playing against Glasgow. It’s not just us playing against Leinster. We’re going to take our product there. That’s the best we can do.

“Again, I believe they are the team to beat in this competition. They’ve been missing out recently. I’m sure they’re going to throw everything at it to not miss an opportunity here. We know that and we know they know that. We’ll just go and do the best we can there.”

Asked if he had found any chinks in Leinster’s armour during his pre-match preparations, Smith smiled and said: “That’s an unfair question the day before the game! We do our homework, we do our job. I’m sure we will have the right approach.”

MORE: Franco’s attack aims to breach Jacques’ defence

Champions Cup quarter-final fixtures:
Friday
Leinster vs Glasgow, Aviva Stadium, 9pm
Saturday
Bordeaux vs Munster, Stade Chaban-Delmas, 4pm
Northampton vs Castres, Franklin’s Gardens, 6.30pm
Sunday
Toulon vs Toulouse, Stade Felix Mayol, 4pm

Photo: Euan Cherry/Getty Images