Dunbar takes plaudits on 100th Warriors appearance as Glasgow open Pro14 campaign with away win

GLASGOW: New head coach highlights centre’s qualities after fine PRO14 victory

New Glasgow Warriors boss Dave Rennie hailed centurion Alex Dunbar after his side crushed Connacht in their PRO14 opener on Saturday.

Scotland centre Dunbar played a major part on his 100th appearance as Rennie got his reign off to the ideal start at gale-lashed Galway.

Rennie said: “We had a lot of guys on debut and it was a big night for them but it was also a very special occasion for Alex.

“You know what you get with Alex. He’s very direct and good defensively in the post-tackle situation. It’s special to play 100 games for a club. He had all his mates out there playing with him tonight so I’m sure he enjoyed it.”

Of his milestone, Dunbar said: “It had been a long time coming. This is my eighth year at the club and I have had some time out with injuries. I did have thoughts that it might never happen.”

Tries by Ali Price and Lee Jones propelled the Warriors to the crucial away win.

Rennie added: “Character and attitudewise, the guys were great.

“We knew it would be tough, the conditions were hard for both sides and I think we did pretty well into the wind when we held them out.

“We can be a hell of a lot better but it’s important to win those games, especially against teams in our own conference.

“The players will have learned a lot from operating in those conditions.

“If we have to play in them again we’ll be better for it. We’ve got a lot of players to come back over the coming weeks, so that’s exciting.

“A big chunk of these other boys we’ll need during the autumn and Six Nations breaks. I think technically we can get a lot better and tactically we can be a lot smarter, but attitude and everything, it’s a crucial place to start from.”

Rennie will find out today the extent of the knee damage that forced Adam Hastings off after he had come on for Sam Johnson.

Hastings had marked his debut by playing a pivotal part in Price’s touchdown.

The coach has hinted that Scotland playmaker Finn Russell will make his first appearance of the season in Saturday’s clash with the Ospreys at Scotstoun.

Russell was given extra rest time over the summer in the wake of his involvement in the later stages of the Lions tour of New Zealand.

Winger Tommy Seymour, who was with the Lions for the entire trip, is not expected to figure for the Warriors until later this month.

Picture: SNS. Alex Dunbar was praised by head coach Dave Rennie after making his 100th appearance for Glasgow.