NO TIRED OLD EXCUSES
Rennie refuses to blame trip abroad
DAVE RENNIE tasted defeat for the first time then spat out claims his Warriors were too tired to last the pace.
The Kiwi’s side opened their European Champions Cup campaign just five days after jetting back from South Africa.
But Rennie rubbished any notion the Pro14 jaunt left them drained as he suffered a first loss since taking over in the summer.
He said: “We knew about the schedule months ago and we are not using the travel as an excuse.
“The boys who played in South Africa did have extra rest and we prepared really well for Exeter. There are no problems with the schedule. It is what it is and you get on with it.” Rennie’s men went within 90 seconds of a consolation point only to be left at the foot of pool three ahead of last season’s semifinalists Leinster visiting.
He said: “The disappointment is not about taking home a bonus point, the disappointment is about not winning.
“The Leinster game was always a must-win regardless of what happened at Exeter.
“Every home fixture in this tournament is a must-win. There won’t be any issues about getting ourselves up for it.”
Rennie will today discover the full extent of Fraser Brown’s knee injury after the hooker collapsed in a heap inside 10 minutes at Sandy Park with no players or the ball near him.
George Turner filled the No.2 slot for the rest of the Euro clash but without Brown up front the Warriors lacked oomph.
Glasgow had surged into a 10-0 lead thanks to a Tommy Seymour try and two pinpoint Finn Russell strikes.
The Chiefs battled back with two pick-and-go efforts but an opportunist try from Lee Jones plus a Russell penalty put Glasgow to within two points.
Exeter’s pack power prevailed though, setting up a clincher for Sam Simmonds that ensured Glasgow have won only two of 20 Euro games on the road against Premiership opposition.