Glasgow Warriors knock Connacht out to reach URC semi-final
Kenneth Fox
A brave Connacht effort came up short in Scotstoun as Glasgow Warriors did enough to book their place in the semi-finals of the URC at home to either the Bulls or Munster.
Stuart Lancaster’s men, the form team in the second half of the league, gave it everything, but it was just not enough to secure a first-ever win in Scotstoun and extend their season for at least another week.
The sides were deadlocked at 7-7 at the end of a cracking opening half where both sides played some excellent rugby in a bruising encounter that had a real cup-tie atmosphere.
Connacht knew the importance of a big start, and outhalf Josh Ioane led the onslaught with some brilliant running and passing, which took the game to the side which finished top of the table after the 18 scheduled rounds.
It may have been knockout rugby, but Connacht laid out their intentions after three minutes when opting for the corner from a kickable penalty, but a multi-phase move ended with hooker Dylan Tierney-Martin adjudged to have been held up close to the line.
But Connacht struck from the goal-line restart with Ioane twice involved as they piled forward, and this time captain Cian Prendergast, aided by lock Darragh Murray, got over just by the posts with Sam Gilbert tapping the conversion for the perfect start.
However, Glasgow settled and the fluid attacking from deep, which top them top of the table, was evident as they worked the ball through the hands from deep, popping short passes and varying the line of attack, and they got back on level terms after ten minutes after forcing three penalties deep inside the Connacht half.
Connacht finished with 14 men after Bealham, injured when scoring, had to go off, and flanker Shamus Hurley-Langton had to be withdrawn for Sam Illo to come back on, but by then Stuart Lancaster’s first season in charge had all but come to an end, and Glasgow were on their way to the last four.
