Reality bites for Hoggy

Stua r t Hog g admi t s Glasgow were given a huge Pro14 real ity check by champions Scarlets.

The Warriors are still on course to claim a home-turf semi-final – but the Welsh side are possible opponents.

And on this evidence a trip to Scotstoun would hold no fears for the Scarlets.

Glasgow star Hogg said: “We just didn’t have it out there. It will make us realise that we will need to put in a massive amount of hard work if we are to win the Pro14 trophy.

“It was a huge reality check. We failed to respect or protect the ball – and coughed it up far too often.”

Glasgow suf fered an early setback when hooker George Turner was taken off with suspected concussion and replaced by rookie Grant Stewart.

Finn Russell then missed two penalties, the second hitting an upright, before Leigh Halfpenny also hit the woodwork from close range for the Scarlets.

The Welsh side kept up the momentum and slack marking allowed Rhys Patchell to slide over for a soft try.

Sca rlet s st a r John Barclay then had some off-the-ball argy bargy with Scotland pal Russell.

The Warriors ace copped the blame – and Halfpenny banged over the penalty.

Peter Horne replaced Russell at the restart and immediately narrowed the gap with a penalty.

But Halfpenny replied in identical fashion and when Gareth Davies cruised in for a 60-metre interception try there was no way back.

It was a carbon copy of his breakaway score for Wales against Scotland in the Six Nations opener.

And again it was Al i Price’s wayward pass that laid it on a plate.

Halfpenny hit another penalty before sub Henry Pyrgos scuttled over for a Warriors try.

But a comeback was never on and Patchell completed his double late on.