Captain Fraser Brown calls out Glasgow's bench after loss to La Rochelle
Glasgow co-captain Fraser Brown criticised his side’s workrate in their 20-13 Heineken Champions Cup defeat to last season’s runners-up La Rochelle and called for a stronger performance at home to Exeter next weekend.
The visitors led twice in the game – 6-0 and 13-10 – and left France with a losing bonus point after Kyle Steyn crossed over and young outside half Ross Thompson added eight points with the boot.
Scotland international Brown missed the game at Stade Marcel Deflandre due to injury but made his observations and asked for more.
“We were the best team by far in the first 25 minutes. Then the energy and workrate went for whatever reason,” Brown told BBC Scotland.
“That can happen in a game but you need to nip it in the bud quickly and make sure your intensity stays high. After 26 or 27 minutes our intensity never really got back up there.
“A lot of errors came through not working hard enough to get set. It is a mindset.
“I was disappointed by the energy and impact off the bench in the last 20 minutes. It was a little bit underwhelming and the last five or 10 minutes summed it up for me.
“There was a great ambition to play, but nowhere near hard enough to get into the right position to open up the space that was needed.
“I think we should have won the game even though we were quite a way away from our best. We had enough opportunities.”
The Warriors now have to get ready for a home clash with Exeter, who launched their campaign with a 42-6 home demolition of Montpellier.
That scoreline included a hat-trick of tries for Scotland second row Jonny Gray, who will be returning to Scotstoun to face his older brother Richie.
“It’s another huge challenge. Every game in Europe is a massive challenge because you play the best teams,” added Brown.
“Exeter will be completely different opposition to La Rochelle.
“Exeter have pace and power out wide and the ability to cut you to pieces. They generally do that after they have bludgeoned you up front in a different way to La Rochelle.
“I didn’t think La Rochelle were ever going to take Glasgow to pieces unless were got sloppy and loose. Exeter will go out right from the start and keep trying to batter you.
“When they get into the 22 you know exactly what’s coming, but it is hard to defend.
“The lessons from La Rochelle have to be taken on board quickly and workrate and defence will be massive.”