RENNIE: MY WARRIORS NOW READY FOR BATTLE

TOP of their Pro14 Conference table after eight straight wins in a perfect start to the season. No wonder Glasgow head coach Dave Rennie heads into the league’s two-week shutdown with a big smile on his face.

The bonus-point victory over Leinster at the weekend — the highlight of which was a Nick Grigg try set up by a mazy run from Niko Matawalu — showed that even without their top players such as Stuart Hogg, Finn Russell and Tommy Seymour, he has a squad with real strength in depth.

With the three British and Irish Lions rested on orders of Scotland coach Gregor Townsend to keep them injury free for the Samoa match at Murrayfield next week his makeshift team still put in a top-class performance.

And, with Peter Horne pulling the strings from fly-half, they were relentless in attack. What pleased Rennie most, though, was his side’s tough streak.

He has never doubted his team’s ability but was concerned by the way they were bullied in the European Champions Cup loss at Exeter last month. Against Leinster, they stood toe- to-toe with the Irish side in the 31-21 win.

‘We are getting a harder edge,’ said Rennie. ‘We have an ability to get the ball and use it well even when feeding off scraps.

‘Our guys have a real positive mindset and I want that harder edge to be mixed in with an ability to engage defenders and take smart kicking options.

‘Although we have a long way to go, I am very happy with the start, eight from eight.’

The New Zealander may have been delighted with the win over Leinster that puts his team top of Conference A with 38 points — 12 more than second-placed Munster — but the match referee was in his sights.

He is so concerned with Stuart Berry’s officiating at the scrum and decisions in previous games, that he is going to contact Pro14 league officials.

‘I don’t agree with decisions round the scrum,’ said the Warriors head coach. ‘We will voice our concerns about it.’