History boys maul Tigers to reach last eight for first time

● Townsend’s men take their place at European top table at last after humbling Leicester with a stunning performance

The UK may have Brexited in recent months but Glasgow Warriors are more than happy to find themselves ensconced deep in the heart of Europe’s elite after what was probably the most complete performance they have ever offered.

Glasgow always hoped that they would squeeze into the European Champions Cup quarter-finals as one of the three second-placed teams but in their wildest dreams they can’t have imagined walloping the fallen giants of English rugby by a humiliating six tries to nil in their own backyard.

It was a performance that will have made every other team still in this tournament sit up and take notice. The Warriors must travel to reigning champions Saracens for their quarter-final in April but the English club also play on a plastic pitch and Townsend will already be concocting a surprise or two for them. Leicester’s woes are well documented. They sacked Richard Cockerill just weeks ago and, as one pundit suggested after Saturday’s performance, they might just have fired the wrong coach.

Tigers have been well below their best this season but the bulk of Saturday’s squad was still good enough to inflict the only defeat Munster have suffered since the death of their coach Anthony Foley.

No one saw it coming, least of all Zander Fagerson, pictured, who was asked if he had anticipated such a one-sided match?

“Not with that score, no,” confessed the Glasgow prop. “We came here with a game plan and we knew what we needed to do and there was a lot of belief in the squad. It’s been hard work for about five or six years and it all came together in that win.

“We always knew we could do it. We just needed a full, 80-minute performance and to keep them to nil at home was absolutely unbelievable. Phenomenal.

“I think it was a whole-team performance and the backs played their part as well. Our running game was class and we carried out our set-piece moves really well. We always knew they were going to want an arm-wrestle and there were a few physical encounters. They were bigging it up all week but I think our physicality won us the game.

“So, yeah, proud to be part of it, and a whole team effort. Loved it.”

Four of Glasgow’s tries came inthefirsthalfinwhichthevisitors enjoyed the lion’s share of territory and possession. A lack of accuracy has undermined Gregor Townsend’s team in the past. Their game plan involves a lot of moving parts, any one of which can go wrong, but on Saturday the players were pretty much word perfect, running through a jaw-dropping 27 phases before Tommy Seymour scored the opening try of the match. He was followed over the line by Mark Bennett, who scored the best try of the match, but for all the eyecatching moves of the Glasgow backs, when the medals are awarded they will go to the big men.

Glasgow’s forward pack totally subdued their illustrious opponents and bossed this match from first whistle to the last.

The forwards earned the second score, a penalty try, after Leicester dropped their driving maul. Jonny Gray, Tim Swinson and Ryan Wilson all barrelled their way over the line.

It was a triumph, Fagerson insisted, not for 15 or even 23 men but for everyone who has contributed to Glasgow’s cause over the years.

“There was belief the whole week. We knew that if we did an 80-minute performance we’d get the win.

“I’ve only been here two and a half, three years, and I’m trying to contribute as much as I can, but I’m nowhere near some of the other boys.

“Pat Macarthur, 150 games, he’s been here ten years near-