Pisi try sets tone for Saints as forwards run over Warriors

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS crushed the Glasgow Warriors pack to earn a Champions Cup win at Scotstoun.

George Pisi crossed to kick-off a first-half blitz, before Ah See Tuala scored two tries to put Jim Mallinder’s side in command of pool three.

Peter Horne and Josh Strauss gave the hosts hope but the damage had been done by Northampton’s ruthless forward performance.

The Saints won the ball back after Finn Russell had kicked Glasgow into the lead.

Steven Myler sent up a high, hanging kick which Gregor Townsend’s men failed to deal with and Pisi pounced to touch down, with Myler adding the conversion for a 7-3 lead.

The Warriors gave away a penalty at the scrum to allow Myler another three points, before referee Pascal Gauzere’s patience ran out. Ryan Grant was caught collapsing another set-piece and was shown yellow and Saints fly-half Myler stretched their advantage to 10 points.

Moments later Luther Burrell went on the crash-ball, it was recycled and shipped out to Tuala on the right wing and the Samoan danced past Stuart Hogg to score. A stroke of good fortune gave the Warriors a lifeline when Russell smacked the post with a penalty and Northampton fumbled the ball behind the dead-ball line.

Horne crashed through from the resulting scrum to cut Saints firsthalf advantage to 18-10.

Myler landed a penalty to complete the first half and it was to get even better after the break.

Ben Foden broke clear from full-back to set up another attack, before he kicked through for Tuala to score his second try and Northampton’s third.

Strauss crossed late-on after Burrell saw yellow, but it was too little, too late for Glasgow.