After the loss of key players such as Tom Jordan, Seb Cancelliere and Henco Venter last summer, many wondered if Glasgow would be able to remain a competitive force this season in the hunt for trophies.
Delivering a perfect Champions Cup pool stage with four bonus-point wins – including stunning victories over Toulouse and Saracens – and topping the URC table in many ways was over-shooting the runway in terms of expectations.
“We worked really hard this season, fought back after we have had some difficulties regarding international players and injuries,” Franco Smith told BBC Scotland.
“To still finish top on the log was an important milestone for us and to have played this game here in front of so many fans is obviously remarkable.
“Would we have wanted to go one more? Yes. But I’m really proud of the season and the way that the boys played.
“We started the season and I said we only have 38 pros and we don’t have enough international foreigners. Despite that we still finished top, we still won as many games as we did. We just fell short.”
Now with the likes of Huw Jones, Jack Dempsey, Adam Hastings and others heading for the Scotstoun exit this summer, the question is whether Glasgow will be able to rebuild and go again next season.
Reaching the heights they have in this campaign will be a big ask. It feels like this season is the one that got away.
