The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Glasgow coach Rennie disputes ‘too tired’ theory as Warriors crash in Euro tie
Glasgow: Head coach tastes defeat for first time as Exeter triumph
Dave Rennie tasted Glasgow Warriors defeat for the first time – then spat out claims that his men were too tired to last the pace.
And as he turned his focus to the make-or-break European show down with old rivals Leinster, the boss insisted their prep had been top notch.
Glasgow had opened their Champions Cup campaign just five days after returning from Pro14 action in South Africa. But Rennie rubbished the notion that the southern hemisphere jaunt had left them drained.
He snapped: “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 salvaging a consolation point at Sandy Park.
But the coach insisted: “The disappointment is not about taking home a bonus point – the disappointment is about not winning.
“The Leinster game at Scotstoun was always a must-win match, regardless of what happened at Exeter. Every home fixture in this tournament is a must-win occasion. There won’t be any issues about getting ourselves up for it.”
Meanwhile, Rennie will find out today the full extent of the knee injury that forced hooker Fraser Brown off early in the contest.
The Scotland star collapsed in a heap with no other players or the ball anywhere near him.
George Turner filled the No 2 slot for the rest of the match, but without Brown up front the Warriors lacked oomph.
Warriors had surged into a 10-lead thanks to a brilliant lob-catch try by Tommy Seymour and two pinpoint strikes from Finn Russell.
Chiefs battled back with two trademark pick-and-go efforts.
An opportunist touchdown from Lee Jones and a Russell penalty put Glasgow to within two points going into the closing stages. But there was heartbreak as Exeter’s pack power prevailed again to set up the clincher for Sam Simmonds.
Leinster warmed up in fine style for their Scotstoun clash by beating Vern Cotter’s Montpellier 24-17 in Dublin.