Cocky Warriors prove they can walk the walk
GLASGOW Warriors have talked themselves up in Europe a little bit this season but with good reason judging by this stunning demolition of Leicester.
The former champions conceded the most points in their proud European history but frankly the score line flattered them. They could and should have lost by more.
Glasgow, with Finn Russell buzzing around again and Italy’s Leonardo Sarto providing real strike power, helped themselves to five tries and although there is a long way to go in this very tough Pool 1, they could scarcely have made a better start.
Tigers, meanwhile, were miserably poor and again their defence around the ruck was almost non existant and cost them three tries in quick succession in the second quarter when Warriors took a firm grip.
Initially Tigers had done well to hush the home crowd and after Owen Williams had opened their account with a penalty they then got lucky when Matt Toomua received only a yellow card when blatantly spear-tackling Finn Russell.
It was only the Scotland fly-half ’s flexibility and willingness to risk a dislocated shoulder or elbow as he threw his arm out that prevented him being driven head first into the ground.
There was no duty of care and Tigers skipper Tom Youngs could scarcely agree quick enough when the referee informed Tigers would only be yellow. He knew.
Hogg smashed over the resultant penalty from 53m but shorthanded Leicester enjoyed a brief period of dominance which forced Glasgow to concede a string of penalties and eventually saw Ryan Wilson binned for persistent offending.
Sensing blood Leicester drove over from the next line-out with Adam Thompstone finally getting the touchdown.
The Warriors were finally stung into action as they angrily went about their work with three tries in eight minutes, all to a greater or lesser extent down to poor Tigers defence around the fringers.
Italy wing Sarto, in for Tommy Seymour, showed a natural try scorer’s flair to pounce for the first and five minutes later powerful hooker Fraser Brown crashed home in similar circumstances as the Tigers’ defence proved paper thin around the ruck.
It was painful to watch but still the penny failed to drop and five minutes later Henry Pyrgos dived in for a third score which will give the Leicester coaching team nightmares.
Williams did halt the one way traffic on half-time with a nicely struck penalty into the wind but that was the last joy for Tigers who were, if anything, even more outplayed after the break.
Only occasional Warriors profligacy kept the score remotely respectable as Warriors piled on the pressure.
A wondrous breakout by Sarto should have heralded a try, a penalty try went begging and then Gordon Reid, on his 100th appearance, spilled the ball when he could have walked over for a try.
Just for a minute you wondered if Glasgow were going to mess up but eventually the points came again with a couple of Russell penalties and a brace of breakaway tries by MOM Sarto and Mark Bennett. Early days but impressive stuff.