Glasgow races in into Champions Cup last 16
REPORT: Glasgow Warriors romped to a five-try 29-19 victory over Racing 92 on Friday to reach the Champions Cup last 16, condemning the French strugglers to a fifth successive match without a victory.
The result took Glasgow, the United Rugby Championship title holders, to the top of Pool Four with 12 points from three games, guaranteeing a place in the knockout stage.
Racing is fifth in the six-team section on four points with just one league game remaining.
Only the top four from each group will make the last 16.
Match Summary
Racing fielded a reshuffled team which was missing scrumhalf Nolann Le Garrec, back row forward Cameron Woki as well as star centre Gael Fickou.
However, the Scots were rarely troubled, running in four tries to secure the bonus point before the interval when they led 22-7.
Rory Darge added a fifth in the second period before Matt Fagerson’s yellow card allowed Racing to add two late consolation tries.
Glasgow took an early lead after Josh McKay’s break carried them beyond the Racing backline with the ball going via Tom Jordan to George Horne who dived over.
The scrumhalf departed for a head injury assessment shortly afterwards – he failed it and did not return — but the Warriors continued to attack and soon claimed a second try.
Horne’s replacement, Jamie Dobie, scored after Fagerson had made a powerful line break to burst clear of the Racing defence before feeding Dobie for a simple score.
Glasgow soon added a third try through Argentine wing Sebastian Cancelliere.
Racing finally opened their account with a try late in the opening period from Vinaya Habosi.
Glasgow, though, ended the half on top to claim their fourth score — and the bonus point — courtesy of Scotland skipper Sione Tuipulotu.
Darge added a fifth try after the break before Fagerson was shown a yellow card for slapping the ball away and the visitors took advantage to score twice late on through Lee-Marvin Mazibuko and Tristan Tedder.
The scorers
For Glasgow Warriors
Tries: G Horne, Dobie, Cancelliere, Tuipulotu, Darge
Cons: G Horne, Jordan
For Racing 92
Tries: Habosi, Mazibuko, Tedder
Cons: Tedder 2
Teams
Glasgow Warriors: 15 Josh McKay, 14 Seb Cancelliere, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Sione Tuipulotu, 11 Kyle Steyn (captain), 10 Tom Jordan, 9 George Horne, 8 Jack Mann, 7 Rory Darge, 6 Matt Fagerson, 5 Scott Cummings, 4 Gregor Brown, 3 Zander Fagerson, 2 Johnny Matthews, 1 Rory Sutherland.
Replacements: 16 Gregor Hiddleston, 17 Jamie Bhatti, 18 Sam Talakai, 19 Alex Samuel, 20 Ally Miller, 21 Euan Ferrie, 22 Jamie Dobie, 23 Duncan Weir.
Racing 92: 15 Max Spring, 14 Vinaya Habosi, 13 Tristan Tedder, 12 Henry Chavancy, 11 Henry Arundell, 10 Antoine Gibert, 9 Clovis le Bail, 8 Maxime Baudonne, 7 Ibrahim Diallo (captain), 6 Noa Zinzen, 5 Junior Kpoku, 4 Boris Palu, 3 Lucio Sordoni, 2 Feleti Kaitu’u, 1 Lino Julien.
Replacements: 16 Diego Escobar, 17 Eddy Ben Arous, 18 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 19 Romain Taofifenua, 20 Hacjivah Dayimani, 21 Kleo Labarbe, 22 Dan Lancaster, 23 Dylan Idrissi.
Referee: Karl Dickson (England)
Assistant referees: Andrew Jackson (England), John Meredith (England)
TMO: Jack Makepeace (England)
Investec Champions Cup
