Jonny Gray was outstanding for Glasgow

Chris Fusaro and Fijian powerhouse Jerry Yanuyanutawa touched down for the home side who thoroughly deserved the win in a bruising encounter.

Jimmy Gopperth kicked two penalties to earn a losing bonus point for Leinster who lacked their usual creativity and ruthlessness in attack.

After a scoreless opening quarter, Leinster eventually got the first points of the match with a penalty from Gopperth who looked to continue the form he showed in the win over the Scarlets on the opening day of the season.

Ireland international Rob Kearney was introduced on the half hour mark with Lote Tuqiri sustaining an injury but neither side managed to get a full grip on the game, as Stuart Hogg struggled to find his range from the boot.

Glasgow ended the half strongly and showed their intent as they kicked a penalty into touch to ramp up the pressure on the reigning Pro12 champions.

Their boldness paid dividends as the ball was shipped left from the lineout and Fusaro wriggled his way over the try-line to put the hosts in front.

Hogg added the extras to put Glasgow four points in front at half-time and the hosts looked like they could rue their missed kicks, a trend that continued in the second period.

Gopperth added a second penalty for the Irish side to reduce Glasgow's lead to just one point but the home side grew in confidence, particularly in the scrum.

Leinster continued to spurn possession and they were finally made to pay by Glasgow who scored a second try with only minutes of the game left.

Prop Yanuyanutawa powered his way over the try-line in the 75th minute to give Glasgow a six point lead and although Ruaridh Jackson missed the conversion, the hosts held on to secure a third win of the season.

A very happy Gregor Townsend said: “I’m absolutely delighted for the players. They put in a huge amount of effort right from the start. We defended well in the first half and attacked well in the second period.

“It was hard work to battle our way through tackles but we kept on going and scored a really good try.

“As a coach, you are always thinking about your substitutes and every week they repay my faith. We took off Ryan Grant who was playing well but Jerry came on and scored the decisive try.”

Last season, Leinster defeated Glasgow in the play off semi-final and Townsend was happy to get his revenge.

He said: “It’s really satisfying to beat Leinster after what happened last season.

“We look up to Leinster when it comes to playing rugby and running a club.

“We’ve had some great battles and I thought it was going be another 6-6 game.

Despite now topping the table, Townsend doesn’t want Glasgow to get ahead of themselves.

He said: “It was a great result but there are 19 games to go.

“We’ve started well and the way we built phases was very pleasing.

“We now have to back that up with a victory against Zebre.

“Chris Cusiter played as captain tonight and was outstanding. He’s impressed at training and he was really positive right from the start.

“For someone who was out for 11 months, he was clearing out rucks like a ninth forward at times.

19-year-old Jonny Gray impressed Townsend with his man of the match perormance and he says he's put in a number of excellent performances since the start of the season.

He said: “He’s been in our top three players in our games so far.

“We’re delighted he’s a Glasgow Warriors player for the next few years.”