WE are under no illusions as to how tough it will be to get the win we need over the Scarlets at Scotstoun on Saturday.

A look at their statistics will tell you that up front they are a particularly potent side and our pack will need to be at their best to get the better of them.

They are particularly strong in the set piece where at the line-out they are the second-ranked team.

In terms of the scrum, they are one of the best units in the PRO12, statistically speaking.

They will also have the advantage over us of having had a game last week. The fact they lost to Ulster makes their visit to Scotstoun absolutely vital to the Scarlets chances of getting into the top four and booking the play-off spot that goes with that status.

Of course they have come to Glasgow before and spoiled the party. Most notably in our first ever professional game at Scotstoun in the opening home fixture of last season, before they completed the double over us at Parc Y Scarlets later in the same campaign.

Fortunately in the first game we had with them this season, at the same venue, we managed to come out on top.

Of course my selection for Saturday night will be boosted by our returning Scotland contingent.

So we have some tough decisions about which players to bring in for this game, and who needs to rest after a period of Test rugby. We have a run of eight games left in our league campaign, so we'll need all our players to be mentally and physically fresh every time they wear the Warriors shirt.

It has been a challenging campaign for Scotland but from a Glasgow perspective there have been some definite positives to emerge from it.

Duncan Weir has started every game at stand-off and he has matured into the role.

Although it was very difficult for him to manage the game at the Millennium Stadium in the manner he would have liked after we were reduced to 14 men, I thought his kicking for field position was excellent.

Alex Dunbar had a fine tournament, showing excellent defence in the opening two matches.

He then followed that up by some outstanding attack in his two-try match against Italy.

Much like Duncan, I am hoping that with Alex, Glasgow will benefit from the confidence both these young men will have taken from the Six Nations.

But the fact we have not had a game for three weeks has allowed our long-term injury absentees to progress.

Last Friday Al Kellock had a run-out for Ayr in the Premiership while there was also game time at the same level for Chris Fusaro, Mark Bennett and Dougie Hall.

Sean Maitland and Peter Horne are also very close now to returning and of course we were delighted to have Carlin Isles.

Carlin has so much natural enthusiasm and he will work hard to learn the rudiments of the 15-man game, although the visit of the Scarlets is a bit too soon.

There is a great deal to be positive about and if we can get the win on Saturday that will set us up nicely for a very exciting finale.