The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Wilson frustrated as Lyon capitulation ends Glasgow hopes
Glasgow Warriors head coach Danny Wilson bemoaned his side’s lack of discipline as they were knocked out of rugby’s European Challenge Cup by Lyon in France.
Midway through the second-half the Scottish club looked odds-on to reach their first European semi-final as they held a 14-point lead.
But they capitulated in the final quarter as Lyon turned the screw up-front to run out 35-27 victors.
“I think the yellow card to Jamie Bhatti was a turning point, we struggled with a few kickoffs, and a few exits,” said Wilson.
“That led to us playing in the wrong positions on the field, and the yellow card hurt us.
“A few tries came during that period. I think they changed their tactics by attacking us aerially. They kicked bomb after bomb after bomb and didn’t play any rugby because I think we defended pretty well against them on the whole.
“Off the back of those kicks, whether it was the counter rugby or the loose ball, they managed to play into some good field position.
“We didn’t find any good field position in the last 20 minutes, so it was a tough end to that game, but I think commitment, effort, and heart for Glasgow Warriors was in abundance.
“We are disappointed having been in a good lead that we’ve ended up losing that game.”
Tries from Baptiste Couilloud, Romain Taofifenua, and a brace from Georgian wing Davit Niniashvili fired the Top 14 side into the Challenge Cup semifinals. Josh McKay and Cole Forbes scored tries for Glasgow with Ross Thompson kicking 10 points.
● Edinburgh head coach Mike Blair was irked by several decisions from French referee Pierre Brousset as his side missed out on the semi-finals.
The Scots, who led Wasps 17-10 at the break and 30-27 going into the final five minutes, were undone in a tight battle as they went down 34-30 in a thrilling contest at DAM Health Stadium.
“Some of the frustrating moments were selfinduced and some I didn’t think the referee got right,” said Blair.
“There were a couple of decisions at the end which could have proved crucial. Ultimately it’s not about the referee. It’s about the things we can control.”
Edinburgh had Connor Boyle sin-binned just before Wasps scored their decisive try through Alfie Barbeary after 75 minutes, but they still produced a rousing finish as they tried to get their noses back in front.
“We were one man down in that period, so with the turnover threat Wasps have got, it was difficult to maintain ball and keep us pushing forward, but we almost got there,” said Blair.