Video bid to clear Swinson

Glasgow Warriors head coach Gregor Townsend hopes video evidence can clear Tim Swinson following his red card in his side’s 35-24 Pro12 win against Connacht at Scotstoun on Saturday.

The second row was sent off for an alleged left-hand punch in the ruck but Townsend believes it was not clear-cut and is set to appeal the dismissal in the hope of having Swinson available for Sunday’s European Champions Cup quarter-final at Saracens.

He said: “The referee made a very quick decision without looking at other angles.

“Swinging arms can be part of the game and from what I saw Tim looked like he was trying to punch the ball out.

“We are struggling to get any purchase on contesting the ball post-tackle, so we were looking to get turnovers through our tackles rather than post tackle. That’s what it looked like to me.

“The Connacht player was falling down because he’d been tackled from the side. I just wish there had been more angles in the bigger context of what was happening rather than a quick decision.

“I hope Tim is available to face Saracens because he has been in great form.”

Sixth- placed Glasgow gave themselves a huge confidence boost ahead of the quarter-final against Saracens, pulling clear of Connacht, the team directly behind them.