Glasgow close in on last-eight place
GLASGOW’S 33-24 victory over Cardiff Blues means they are on the brink of reaching the Heineken Cup quarter-finals for only the second time.
Grant Stewart, Scott Cummings, Chris Fusaro, Oli Kebble and George Horne all scored tries in Glasgow’s bonus-point win, which puts them on 19 points in Pool Three, four behind Saracens.
The Warriors’ knockout place would be secured on Friday night should Edinburgh beat Montpellier in Pool Five.
If that result does not go their way, Glasgow are likely to need to pick up at least a point at Saracens on Saturday.
“We’re rapt with our big men up front,” said Glasgow coach Dave Rennie. “Our scrum and lineout were excellent and I thought we did a really good job with ball in hand.”
Defending champions Leinster impressed with a 29-13 win over Toulouse in Pool One and both teams are still in line to reach the last eight.
In Pool Four, Ulster beat Racing 26-22 in Belfast. While the French side are still favourites to go through as pool winners, Ulster are likely to take a runners-up spot.
While only Saracens and Exeter are still in the Heineken Cup knockout mix, there is better news for English clubs in the Challenge Cup. Ryan Mills’ last-minute drop-goal ensured Worcester will play in a European quarter-final for the first time in a decade as they beat Ospreys 20-18.
French side Clermont guaranteed themselves a last-eight spot by overcoming Northampton 48-40, but the Saints are not out of the running either, particularly as they should pick up a full five points against Timisoara Saracens on Friday night.
Harlequins, who top Pool Five after a 38-20 win over Grenoble, Bristol, who smashed Enisei-STM 65-9 in Pool Four, and Sale, who lost 20-18 to Connacht in Pool Three, will also still be hopeful of reaching the knockout stages.