No change in Glasgow's ambitions despite departures - Forrest

Glasgow Warriors expect to be challenging for silverware on two fronts again next season despite another summer of high-profile departures, according to assistant coach Scott Forrest.

Huw Jones, Jack Dempsey and Adam Hastings are among a host of big-name players to have left the club after last season.

It was a similar story last summer when Tom Jordan, Sebastian Cancelliere and Henco Venter left Scotstoun, but Franco Smith's side coped admirably, with thrilling runs in both the United Rugby Championship and the Champions Cup.

After topping the URC table at the end of the regular season, Glasgow were knocked out by the Bulls in the URC semi-finals while their European adventure was ended by Toulon at the quarter-final stage.

Forrest believes Glasgow are equipped to go deep in both competitions once again.

"I think the squad, all the players, everyone involved believes we're in a position to go and we want to go better than we did last year," he told BBC Scotland.

"Ultimately, we didn't win last year and that's what it comes down to. Some of the stats around the highest win percentage in a season, finishing top of the URC in the regular season, it's great, but ultimately you want to win competitions, that's why we're all here.

"I know externally, the media, fans will make a deal about [key players leaving the club]. There's a number of internationals that have left, we've not really, in terms of on paper, replaced like-for-like, but I just think that's the nature of where we are. Players are going to move up and out essentially.

"I think we're fortunate that when you look at the guys we have retained, in terms of internationals, it still forms the core of our squad. Scotland's squad is still very similar so we're confident in that. The other side of it is we've got a lot of young players that are ready to step up.

"That group of academy boys that get announced in terms of their progression and signing their first pro deals, a lot of those guys are ready to go, they're just waiting for their opportunity.

"Likewise, we've got the likes of Gregor Huddleston and Seb Stephen, who go and get their first Scotland caps in the summer. We've got young internationals that actually are ready to go and push on and make a name for themselves.

"I think that's the way we look at it. In terms of names on paper, we've lost some high-quality individuals, but I think as a squad we've got the right blend of senior, experienced players and young, motivated professionals that we feel we can go and do something special this year."