Glasgow power to opening URC victory over Leinster at Scotstoun

A Glasgow side containing seven members of Scotland’s Rugby World Cup squad were pushed all the way by Leinster before eventually securing a bonus-point 43-25 win in round one of the BKT United Rugby Championship.

Although they were without their own World Cup contingent, the Irish province never fell out of contention until the closing minutes of the game.

Josh McKay, Sebastian Cancelliere, Huw Jones, Angus Fraser, George Horne and Johnny Matthews went over for Glasgow, who were also awarded a penalty try. Tom Jordan converting two of the tries and Horne one.

Jack Boyle, Lee Barron and Tommy O’Brien went over for Ulster with fly-half Harry Byrne kicking two penalties and two conversions.

Patient probing paid off for the Warriors after 12 minutes, when Rory Darge raced through a gap in midfield following a lineout before offloading to McKay. The full-back, making his competitive return after seven months out with a broken foot, finished off unopposed.

Leinster hit back with two Byrne penalties in quick succession, but Cancelliere soon got Glasgow’s second, touching down in the right corner after good work by Gregor Brown.

Leinster then took the game to the home team with an assertive series of drives from the pack, finished off by loosehead prop Boyle to edge Leinster ahead.

The lead lasted less than three minutes, however. With advantage being played, Glasgow were able to take a chance with a hack ahead from a loose ball. It fell kindly for Jones, who raced clear to claim his team’s third try of the day.

Two minutes later, hooker Fraser secured the try bonus point following a ruck and the half ended with Glasgow 24-13 ahead.

Leinster had better fortune five minutes into the second half, when Barron broke through and scored all too easily from a lineout.

Cancelliere was shown a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on, but the 14 men extended their lead when Horne came off the bench for his 100th Glasgow appearance and within a minute scored in the right corner.

Leinster’s Liam Turner had a try disallowed for a foot in touch, but with 10 minutes remaining a similar score in the right corner by O’Brien was allowed to stand.

Matthews came off the bench and got the Warriors’ sixth try from close range.

Jordan Larmour was yellow-carded for an offence in the build-up, then Brian Deeny followed him minutes later for collapsing a maul, an offence for which Glasgow were awarded the penalty try which concluded the scoring.