Franco Smith understands that he faces a massive selection dilemma at centre next weekend but the South African, as ever, has already formulated a plan.
Glasgow Warriors, who maintained their place at the top of the URC with a 31-10 victory over Benetton on Friday, welcome the Bulls to Scotstoun in the Champions Cup on Saturday in the biggest game of the season, so far.
The Warriors enjoyed a perfect pool phase, collecting a maximum 20 points to earn the billing as contenders to win the most prestigious club competition in rugby.
Smith will need to make several major selection calls but there’s arguably none bigger than at centre.
Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones have formed Glasgow’s preferred midfield partnership in recent years and that’s been utilised internationally by Scotland and for the British and Irish Lions.
But the pairing dubbed ‘Huwpulotu’ didn’t function seamlessly against Benetton with Jones not in the best of form, Stafford McDowall has made a strong claim to be involved against the South Africans.
Pressed on his big decision at centre, Smith said: “Unfortunately, there's a public opinion, and they pick their own teams, and therefore there's pressure.
"We have to look at what's in front of us and how we're going to play, what the Bulls bring, how the rest of the season looks, are we going to make sure that we keep the continuity
"So there's enough freshness so that we don't just go blindly into a thing and hope something works. I believe we've got a good plan, so I've got my work cut out for me. I understand that, but we have the right process and I know exactly what I think we must do.”
Smith jolted his players at the interval by laying out exactly what was required as they turned around the contest against Benetton to claim their tenth consecutive home win this season.
“There's always a plan,” said Smith.
“The rocket is for them to realise there's only 40 minutes left if we don't start upping our game a little more.
"It wasn't necessary for me at all to always challenge the boys with what needed to be done. We always knew that players coming off the bench would come and lift the team and add value."
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