HORNE OF PLENTY

George steals the show as Warriors tame Lyon

IN serving up a five-try rout in France, Glasgow Warriors not only secured a bonus-point victory to enhance their hopes of progression in the Heineken Champions Cup, but also vindicated some huge pre-match calls from their head coach Dave Rennie.

Much of the focus in the build-up to this encounter had been on Rennie’s decision to select Adam Ashe ahead of Ryan Wilson in the back row and George Horne ahead of Ali Price at scrum-half.

But both players fully justified their place in the team and it would have brought a smile to Rennie’s face to see Horne creating the opening try for Ashe midway through the first half.

Horne then scored the second himself, before Ashe capped a fine display by adding his team’s fifth and final touchdown late in the game.

With Lyon having lost both of their opening games heading into this match, it may not quite be seen as a huge scalp for Glasgow.

But, nevertheless, victories on French soil in the European Cup are not to be sniffed at and it ensures Rennie’s men have a good platform from which to attack their remaining three games in Pool Three.

They sit top of the section, although Saracens could alter that if, as expected, they take care of business against Cardiff Blues at Allianz Park this afternoon.

‘We’re not going to look too far ahead,’ said Rennie. ‘What we know is if we get it right next week, we’ll put ourselves in a strong position heading into the last couple of rounds in January.

‘We’re desperate to still be in the mix come the knockouts and we’ve got some tough games coming up.

‘There will be a handful of changes (for next week), but we’ll be putting out as good a side as possible to get the job done.

‘We’re rapt for Adam. He got a couple of dot-downs, but it was all the other work he did defensively, creatively and so on. He was a big contributor.’

On a rutted pitch at the Stade de Gerland, Lyon threw the ball around with all the abandon of a team who had nothing to lose.

But it was Glasgow who showed the greater clinical edge and, although not quite at their freeflowing best, showed a ruthless touch when opportunities arose.

Warriors hooker Fraser Brown won a penalty at the breakdown after just three minutes, which Adam Hastings kicked to give his team an early lead.

Lyon scrum-half Jonathan Pelissie then shanked a penalty soon after, but made amends on 13 minutes with a better effort to draw the home side level.

Some excellent work from the Glasgow scrum won a penalty three minutes later and Hastings thumped a booming kick over the posts from the best part of 40 yards.

Warriors then notched the opening try of the afternoon in the 20th minute — and what a terrific score it was.

In selecting Ashe ahead of Wilson, Rennie probably did so with ballcarrying and defensive capabilities foremost in his thoughts.

But it was the flanker who applied the finishing touches to a slick team move. After some good work from Callum Gibbins and DTH Van der Merwe, the ball found its way to Horne.

The scrum-half then sliced through the French defence before popping a delicious pass into the hands of Ashe. After he had touched down, Hastings made no mistake with the conversion.

The first half was littered with ill-discipline and unforced errors from both teams as they continued to trade blows on the scoreboard.

It was Lyon who landed the next punch in the 24th minute, with Kiwi winger Toby Arnold touching down following a solid attacking scrum.

Pelissie slotted the conversion, but Glasgow were able to stretch further clear just on the stroke of half-time.

Some powerful work from the Warriors forwards saw them bulldoze their way upfield. The Lyon defence was weak, not just leaving the door open, but also every window for good measure.

Nick Grigg, Glasgow’s pocket rocket in recent weeks, made an excellent break, before Horne dived over from close range.

Hastings kicked the extras to ensure that Glasgow led 20-10 at the interval in a match which had a little bit of edge and spice between both sets of players.

Oli Kebble was a prominent figure in that narrative. The Warriors prop puts in some almighty hits and some crunching clear-outs at the breakdown.

Referee Matthew Carley’s decision to penalise him in one such