Shawzy scored Glasgow's third try

The Warriors were dealt an early blow as Scotland’s prolific flanker, John Barclay, was withdrawn from the starting XV due to illness. As a result, James Eddie was thrust straight into the starting line-up.

However, Eddie sustained an ankle injury just eight minutes into the game.

But despite the early dramas in the back-row, tries from each of the back three - Bernardo Stortoni, DTH van der Merwe and Colin Shaw - ensured success for the home side.

The Warriors started the match brightly as Firhill was drenched in Easter sunshine.

Argentine fullback Stortoni scored after just three minutes as he twisted and turned through two tacklers.

The Dragons then edged in front through two Jason Tovey penalties, but Glasgow’s retaliation was soon sparked by Max Evans.

The Scotland centre clashed with his opposite man as they both tried to intercept a long pass wide.

The ball was sent loose and Van der Merwe pounced to hack the ball up-field. The Canadian international gave chase and beat the covering defenders to touch down.

A third Tovey penalty was cancelled out by two from Dan Parks to give the Warriors a 16-9 half-time lead.

In the second half, the visitors found themselves a man down as centre Matthew Watkins tried to haul Evans to ground by his head. The dangerous tackle merited a yellow card and he was duly sent to the sin bin. Parks slotted the resulting penalty.

As both sides began to utilise their replacements bench around the hour mark, Parks and Tovey exchanged penalties once more.

But it wasn’t until the 70th minute that Glasgow truly sealed victory.

Stortoni released Evans in midfield from where he made ground before chipping ahead. The bounce favoured the Glasgow chasers and Colin Shaw was on hand to dot down.

Newport winger Will Harries scored a consolation try in the 79th minute. Tovey converted but it was too little too late for the visitors.