Eight Glasgow players featured in Saturday's 23-20 victory over Ireland at Croke Park, including fly-half Dan Parks who kicked the winning penalty.

Lineen did lose Thom Evans to the Six Nations – he sustained a neck injury against Wales – but otherwise, the Glasgow coach insists he has never seen his players return so healthy from the tournament.

He said: “This is the best shape they have come back in since I’ve been Glasgow coach, physically and mentally.

“It’s not just because of the effect of the Irish result, but the way they have looked after themselves.

“They have had periods of time off - a week in January and a couple of weeks during the Six Nations - and nutritionally they are also a massive step forward.

“It’s about being professionals and looking after themselves and they have done that very well this year, and I think that’s a big part of why they have come back to the clubs really buzzing.

“It means that some guys might be in contention in the first week back where they might not have been in the past.”