Glasgow Warriors' season ended in bitter disappointment as they ended without silverware, despite enjoying home advantage in the Champions Cup and United Rugby Championship play-offs.
Franco Smith's men were outstanding during the regular season but they wilted in the big moments and ultimately that will define their season. With the dust now settled on the Bulls defeat, we've analysed all 20 backs that were used throughout the campaign - using a scale from A+ to C-.
George Horne: A
Excellent. Ben White labelled his Scotland teammate the heartbeat of Glasgow and that was a brilliant assessment. It’s no coincidence that the Warriors exited both competitions when Horne was missing through injury and he would have made a noticeable difference.
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The 31-year-old finished with 11 tries and his goal-kicking is generally very good. Always brings intensity and provides the platform for Glasgow’s backs to shine with quick delivery from the breakdown.
Ben Afshar: B-
Afshar remains a decent prospect but the Champions Cup exit against Toulon highlighted his limitations. At 23, Afshar can still develop into a good scrum half but he needs to work on delivering quicker ball.
As it stands, Afshar is a few levels below Horne and Dobie, but there’s still room for development. Exposed to a good amount of senior rugby this season and that will benefit from that. Very good after replacing Horne against the Bulls.
Jack Oliver: C
Arguably showed more promise than Afshar this season but still well off the level of Glasgow’s two senior scrum-halves. The former Munster man is quick at the breakdown and passing is generally good. Will learn from brutal two outings in South Africa and target must be pushing Afshar to be third-choice number nine next season.
Jamie Dobie: B+
A rollercoaster season for the Inverness-born man. It’s easy to forget how outstanding Dobie was for the first half of the season before suffering a serious shoulder injury with Scotland.
Whether at scrum-half or on the wing, Dobie was unstoppable and in the form of his life and richly deserved to displace Darcy Graham and Duhan van der Merwe to earn a starting spot for Scotland.
When playing on the wing, Dobie is exceptionally quick and good under the high ball, while he offers something slightly different from Horne at nine. A future British & Irish Lion.
Dan Lancaster: B
It’s quite difficult to analyse Lancaster’s maiden season at Scotstoun and it’s been a mixed bag. After a slow start, Lancaster earned Franco Smith's trust and ultimately ended the campaign as Glasgow’s first-choice ten. With Adam Hastings leaving, Glasgow wanted to afford Lancaster opportunities to develop and there have been promising signs.
His first-half display in the URC semi-final loss was his best for the Warriors as the attack functioned slickly and his defence is one of his main strengths. But there’s still a major question mark over whether he’s good enough - yet, or ever - to be Glasgow’s leading fly-half, if they want to compete at the highest level.
Can be guilty of collecting the ball too deep, which can push Glasgow back and kicking must improve. Lancaster is a confident character, which is refreshing and should help him fulfil his potential.
Adam Hastings: B-
After significant injury issues across recent seasons, Hastings showed glimpses of being back to his best in the first half of the season. The 29-year-old plays such an exhilarating brand of rugby and he’s capable of the sublime. It all seemed to turn around the Six Nations and he endured a really tough second half of the campaign.
Received a ban after amassing yellow cards - which was harsh - and never really found his rhythm. Was really poor as a replacement in the pivotal defeats to Toulon and Bulls. Hastings is an engaging, light-hearted personality, which is exactly the type of character that rugby needs. Will be a huge miss around Scotstoun.
Duncan Weir: C
Only played 11 minutes in his farewell game against and received his fairytale ending with a try. Fully deserved the acclaim he received on that special night against Zebre. A true Warriors legend.
Matthew Urwin: C-
Played a grand total of four minutes vs Munster.
Sione Tuipulotu: A-
It’s been a gruelling season for Tuipulotu off the back of the Lions tour. The Scotland captain is one of the best inside-centres in the world on his day, but he will be honest enough to admit that he’s not been at his absolute best this season. But Tuipulotu has still performed at a high level and you can never question his application or attitude.
Few, if any, players possess his ability to combine physical strength with wonderful playmaking ability and when Nigel Carolan’s attack is at full flow, Tuipulotu is often the architect.
You couldn’t blame the 29-year-old if he questioned what’s next for Glasgow when he sees so many friends and international colleagues leaving but he has full faith in Franco Smith.
Huw Jones: C
Jones is unquestionably a world-class performer but he only played six times for Glasgow last season and two of those were in the maulings in South Africa.
Jones didn’t really offer Glasgow much on the pitch at all in 2025/26, although he showcased his class with an excellent try on his return from injury against Clermont.
It was telling that Smith opted for Stafford McDowall when Jones was fit. In theory, Jones will be a massive loss and he’s contributed so much to Glasgow’s recent success but not last season - significant wages must be reinvested to replace him with quality.
Stafford McDowall: A
McDowall remains underrated outside of Scotstoun, but certainly not amongst teammates or staff. The Scotland star has developed into such an assured and reliable player. Yes, McDowall doesn’t offer the star power of Jones but you know that he will deliver at least a 7/10 performance every week. He’s also a real leader and Glasgow will need to rely on him heavily next season as they look to bring through young talents.
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Kerr Yule: C+
Glasgow have really high hopes for the 20-year old and he’s arguably got the best chance of establishing himself next season of the three young centres.
Made his professional debut against the Sharks and can be proud of his display. Glasgow won all three games in which Yule started and his physicality is very impressive for his age.
Johnny Ventisei: C
Brilliant debut against Leinster and some world-class opponents. It’s said that Ventisei couldn’t wait to get back to Scotstoun after spending time at Edinburgh around the turn of the year, and who can blame him? Should target five to ten appearances next season.
Duncan Munn: C-
It’s difficult to see where Munn fits in the picture at Glasgow. He has several younger players now ahead of him in the pecking order.
Ollie Smith: A-
Smith has quietly had a really impressive season and his versatility is such an asset. Injuries have disrupted his career but he amassed almost 1,600 minutes for club and country. Smith is a very good all-rounder; technical skills are sound, decent physicality and has an excellent left-boot.
Played in four different positions and interesting to see him deployed at ten with Smith hinting he could be used there next season. Seven tries is also a good return and will get good minutes in the summer with Scotland.
Kerr Johnston: C-
The 21-year-old added to a few cameo appearances last season with his maiden start against Scarlets but it was a tough evening in Wales. Will be vying with Fergus Watson for more minutes on the wing next season.
Kyle Rowe: A-
Very underrated. Rowe made the URC team of the season and he’s a wonderfully skilled winger. There’s moments when you feel Rowe needs to back himself more because when he does, it can be truly special as demonstrated against Leinster. Rowe is a true flair player and he’s pretty solid under the high ball too. Seven tries is a good return and is equally as comfortable on the wing or full-back. Lost his place for the Champions Cup play-offs but regained it for the URC.
Fergus Watson: C+
Watson was made to wait for his debut after sustaining a serious hamstring injury in a pretty pointless run out for Emerging Scotland against a Tongan XI in November. Otherwise, the 20-year-old would have made his debut sooner than March but he was excellent against Benetton. Watson’s physical development over the last 18 months has been extraordinary and has all the hallmarks of a future Scotland international.
Kyle Steyn: A+
Outstanding. Steyn is a world-class operator as demonstrated in a man-of-the-match display against France. And he delivered for Glasgow every single week on both sides of the ball and he’d arguably get in the Warriors’ best ever XV. Steyn is comfortably Scotland’s best winger and he doesn't really have any weaknesses.
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Glasgow’s top try scorer with 13 and always puts his body on the line. Luckily Scottish Rugby have him tied down until 2028 because other clubs would love to have him and he’s the perfect ambassador for Glasgow.
Josh McKay: B+
Such a reliable performer for Glasgow but probably not his best season for the club. McKay is so important as an experienced figure during the international breaks but that will probably change as he becomes Scottish qualified in the Autumn. Fits perfectly into Glasgow’s adventurous style and rarely puts boot to ball as he starts counter-attacks.
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