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January 14, 2018

Leinster 55 - 19 Glasgow Warriors

Champions Cup match played at RDS Arena on Sunday January 14th 2018 | No comments

Dave Rennie says Warriors were given a lesson by Leinster
Warriors went down to a heavy defeat in Dublin as Leinster showed why they are among the favourites for this season's Champions Cup.

Glasgow's interest in the competition was already over, but they will be disappointed with the ease Leinster were able to dominate.

Glasgow conceded five tries in the first half and eight in all to slump to their fifth loss in five group games.

Despite missing 15 players through injury, and resting Finn Russell and Jonny Gray, Dave Rennie offered no excuses.

"We needed to give a better account of ourselves, regardless of who's wearing the jersey," said the New Zealander.

"The second 40 minutes was a hell of a lot better. We showed a lot more spirit, but we needed that for 80 minutes.

"It was a very disappointing first half. We were just inaccurate, we didn't defend well at all, in an area where we have been very strong.

"Some of it was around systems and communications, but there is no excuse for that. Your systems are only as good as your ability to tackle and we didn't defend well enough. We got a lesson today.

"You have got to give credit to Leinster; they were very clinical. They have got a big forward pack who did a good job and they used the ball impressively.

"It was always going to be a big ask, whatever group of men we put on the field, against a Leinster side pretty close to full strength. But we still expect to be a hell of a lot better than we were, so it is disappointing."

Glasgow were without seven of their first-choice pack, fielding the likes of Matt Fagerson, 19, and Matt Smith, 20, in their back row.

"We have got a lot of young kids who we have had to use in this European competition, and they will be better for it next year," Rennie said. "Hopefully that is creating a bit of depth.

"We have got a lot of firepower to come in. Some may filter back in next week, and others as the campaign carries on. Hopefully we will have a lot of competition for places.

"We will re-group. It is disappointing but we will bounce back."

Glasgow have lost only one PRO14 game this season and lead Conference A by 15 points, but Rennie admits they found life tough in Europe.

"The quality of the competition is a hell of a lot better," he added. "It gives us a bit of picture of where we're at, and how we have got to get better.

"This is a pool of death, with one of the best French teams [Montpellier], the best English team [Exeter], and Leinster have been the best team in our group.

"They were impressive today, they have got great depth and they are going to be tough to beat. But there are some very good sides in this competition."

Referee Marius Mitrea (Italy)
Attendance
Team
1
Jamie Bhatti
2
George Turner
3
Siua Halanukonuka
4
Robert Harley
5
Greg Peterson
6
Matt Fagerson
7
Matt Smith
8
Adam Ashe
9
Ali Price
10
Peter Horne
11
Nikola Matawalu
12
Nick Grigg
13
Huw Jones
14
Lee Jones
15
Ruaridh Jackson
Sub
Grant Stewart
Sub
Alex Allan
Sub
D'arcy Rae
Sub
Kiran McDonald
Sub
Chris Fusaro
Sub
George Horne
Sub
Brandon Thomson
Sub
Henry Pyrgos
Match Substitutions
Off On
Jamie Bhatti Alex Allan
Off On
Siua Halanukonuka D'arcy Rae
Off On
Ali Price George Horne
Off On
Greg Peterson Kiran McDonald
Off On
Matt Smith Chris Fusaro
Off On
Lee Jones Henry Pyrgos
Off On
George Turner Grant Stewart
Off On
Peter Horne Brandon Thomson