Franco Smith takes Glasgow Warriors to their first Euro Final
MATCH REPORT: The Franco Smith-coached Glasgow reached the Challenge Cup Final with a come-from-behind 35-17 win over the Scarlets in the semifinal in Llanelli on Saturday.
The Scottish region clinched a first-ever European Final – as tries from Stafford McDowell (two), George Horne, Johnny Matthews and Rory Darge proved decisive.
Scarlets led on a couple of occasions, but were hampered by a yellow card for Sam Wainwright early in the second half – Steff Evans providing their only try for the home team, to go with four Sam Costelow penalties.
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Glasgow got off to the perfect start. With Scarlets a man down due to injury, Stafford McDowall skipped past s couple of defenders for the opening try. George Horne added the conversion.
It took Scarlets 20 minutes to open their account – a penalty after a few effective phases and Sam Costello kicked the three points. And Costelow doubled his team’s score with a second penalty in quick succession.
The Scarlets’ dominance continued, as Steff Evans dotted in the corner after a sustained period of pressure and some wonderful hands. Costello was wide with his conversion attempt – 11-7.
In the final act of the first half, Costelow extended the hosts’ lead to 14-7, as Scarlets remained in the ascendancy.
Glasgow made a dream start to the second half – with Jean-Pierre du Preez breaking and linking with Scott Cummings, who feeds George Horne and the scrumhalf just about managed to get it down under pressure. Horne added the conversion.
However, a high tackle following the restart allowed Scarlets to retake the lead, and Sam Costelow made no mistake.
The home team was reduced to 14 men, when Sam Wainwright was yellow-carded for a high tackle during the build-up to the earlier try and Glasgow made their extra man count as a line-out maul trundled over for Johnny Matthews to get the try.
It went from bad to worse for the home team -aA missed line-out in Scarlets’ 22 landing in Glasgow’s hands and they forced their way over, Rory Darge making the crucial final yard.
Despite a spirited late rally, Scarlets could not get the points to give them a shout in the closing stages.
Glasgow signed off how they started – with a Stafford McDowell try – a 35-17 win.
The scorers
For Scarlets
Tries: Evans
Pens: Costello 4
For Glasgow Warriors
Tries: McDowell 2, Horne, Matthews, Darge
Cons: Horne 5
Yellow card: Sam Wainwright (Scarlets, 43 – foul play, high tackle)
Teams
Scarlets: 15 Johnny McNicholl, 14 Steff Evans, 13 Joe Roberts, 12 Johnny Williams, 11 Ryan Conbeer, 10 Sam Costelow, 9 Gareth Davies, 8 Vaea Fifita, 7 Dan Davis, 6 Josh Macleod (captain), 5 Sam Lousi, 4 Morgan Jones, 3 Javan Sebastian, 2 Ken Owens, 1 Wyn Jones.
Replacements: 16 Shaun Evans, 17 Kemsley Mathias, 18 Sam Wainwright, 19 Carwyn Tuipulotu, 20 Iestyn Rees, 21 Kieran Hardy, 22 Dan Jones, 23 Ioan Nicholas.
Glasgow Warriors: 15 Ollie Smith, 14 Sebastian Cancelliere, 13 Sione Tuipulotu, 12 Stafford McDowall, 11 Kyle Steyn (captain), 10 Tom Jordan, 9 George Horne, 8 Jack Dempsey, 7 Sione Vailanu, 6 Rory Darge, 5 Jean-Pierre du Preez, 4 Scott Cummings, 3 Zander Fagerson, 2 George Turner, 1 Jamie Bhatti.
Replacements: 16 Johnny Matthews, 17 Nathan McBeth, 18 Simon Berghan, 19 Ryan Wilson, 20 Lewis Bean, 21 Matt Fagerson, 22 Ali Price, 23 Duncan Weir.
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)
Assistant referees: Pierre Brousset (France), Tual Trainini (France)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (France)
Additional reporting by @ChallengeCup_
