The 2001–02 season is the sixth in the history of the Glasgow Warriors as a professional side. During this season the young professional side competed as Glasgow Rugby; reverting to their original professional title and dropping the Caledonian name inherited from the Caledonia Reds merger. However, the team gains the epithet Warriors at least from this season.[1]
The 2001–02 season saw Glasgow Rugby compete in competitions: the Welsh-Scottish League, the Celtic League, the European Champions Cup, and the Heineken Cup.
Season Overview
Warriors name begins
At least from this season the team acquired its Warriors moniker – if not yet officially – and even becomes known as such to opposition fans. The Glasgow–Leinster semi-final programme, in Tony Ward's Leinster preview, states, "it adds to the competition enormously that the Glasgow Warriors remain on board thereby breaking the Irish provincial monopoly."[2]
During the 2001–02 season, Glasgow have used 43 different players in competitive games. The table below shows the number of appearances and points scored by each player.
The 5 matches jointly held between the Welsh-Scottish League and the Celtic League are found only in the statistics for the Celtic League.
Newcastle Falcons: D Richardson; L Botham, J Noon, J Pattison, (G Maclure 57), V. 'Inga' Tuigamala; D Walder (M Stephenson 59), G Armstrong; M Ward, (G Peel 40), M Howe (C Balshem 72), M Hurter (G Graham 40), S Grimes (C Hamilton 61), H Vyvyan, J Dunbar (E Taipone 60), R Arnold (captain), A Mower
Glasgow Caledonians: Graeme Kiddie (R Kerr 70); J Steel, J McLaren (A Henderson 65), I McInroy (J Craig 71); T Hayes, A Nicol (captain); D Hilton (G Sykes 68), G Scott (G Bulloch 78), L Harrison, C Stewart, J White (S Griffiths 10), G Simpson, J Petrie (R Reid 79), G Flockhart
Glasgow Caledonians:R Kerr; J Steel, I McInroy, A Henderson, J Craig; B Irving, C Black; G Sykes, G Scott, L Harrison, C Stewart, N Ross, R Reid, D Macfadyen, G Flockhart. Subs all used: B Prescott, A Hall, G Bulloch, G Perrett, G Simpson, T Hayes, J Petrie, R Reid
Northampton Saints: N Beal; , L Martin, M Tucker, J Leslie, C Moir; A Hepher, J Howard; C Budgen, S Thompson, M Stewart, J Phillips, O Brouzet, A Blowers, B Pountney, M Soden. Subs used: R Hunter, P Grayson, C Hyndman, I Vass, S Brotherstone
The first season of the Celtic League was, from a slow start, a big success. Players, coaches and spectators all enjoyed the new tournament.[11] In Ireland, especially, the Celtic League generated enormous interest.[12]