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February 25, 2023

Emirates Lions 35 - 24 Glasgow Warriors

United Rugby Championship match played at Ellis Park Stadium on Saturday February 25th 2023 | No comments

Elias Caven went over for Glasgow's first try
Glasgow's long unbeaten run came to an end in this afternoon's rescheduled URC meeting with Emirates Lions in Johannesburg.

Tries from Elias Caven, Cole Forbes, Tom Jordan and Tom Gordon all went over to give Warriors a bonus point but inaccuracies and errors - along with the heat and altitude - gave them too much to do in a match they could have taken more from.

Tries for the Lions came from Sanele Nohamba, Francke Horn, Manuel Rass, Edwill van der Merwe and Ruan Venter.

Glasgow Warriors Head Coach Franco Smith was left to rue his side's error count in the immediate aftermath of the defeat but he also praised his players for the resilience with which they stuck to their task in the South African sun.

Despite rallying from a 24-7 deficit after 37 minutes, the visitors would come up just short in their pursuit of a comeback victory, with a four-try bonus-point proving scant consolation for the Warriors.

"We made a lot of mistakes and were pretty self-destructive today, really," Smith said post-match.

"There were five clear try-scoring opportunities we created that we didn't convert. We turned the ball over too easily in our own third of the field, and I feel like we lost a little bit of focus during the second quarter of the match.

"We were probably guilty of overplaying once or twice, but we created enough opportunities to win that match. We allowed the Lions in too often, and all credit to them - they took their opportunities, I don't want to take anything away from their performance today at all."

The Glasgow boss was also keen to underline the opportunities that the flying trip to Johannesburg presents to this group of players moving forward.

Eli Caven impressed on his debut, Allan Dell enjoying his first taste of action in Glasgow colours, and Rory Darge successfully re-integrated into the fold following a long-term injury, the increasing depth in the Warriors squad is an asset Smith believes will serve his side well.

"We've now used 52 players in the URC this season and we're developing our own DNA as a squad, and sometimes the only way you get it right is to learn from getting it wrong," said Smith.

"We've got great competition for places and we know we're going to need every part of our depth as we fight for a place - and a home place - in the playoffs.

"To be a great team you need to be a great squad, and this group of players is willing to work hard for each other and for our supporters."

Zebre Parma visit Scotstoun this Friday night providing Smith and his players with an immediate chance to right any wrongs from Emirates Airline Park, as the race for the playoffs intensifies.

"I'm proud of our guys today," said Smith.

"Despite the challenges of this week, we still tried to play the Glasgow way. This group of players showed great resilience to stick to their task and kept on believing in themselves, and you saw that by their determination to fight back into the game in the second half.

"There's still 20 points available from our remaining games, and our focus now is getting ourselves ready to go again against Zebre Parma on Friday."

Referee Adam Jones (Wales)
Team
1
Nathan McBeth
2
Johnny Matthews
3
Lucio Sordoni
4
Lewis Bean
5
Scott Cummings
6
Ally Miller
7
Rory Darge
8
Sione Vailanu
9
Jamie Dobie
10
Tom Jordan
11
Elias Caven
12
Sam Johnson
13
Stafford McDowall
14
Cole Forbes
15
Josh McKay
Sub
Angus Fraser
Sub
Allan Dell
Sub
Simon Berghan
Sub
JP du Preez
Sub
Euan Ferrie
Sub
Tom Gordon
Sub
Sean Kennedy
Sub
Duncan Weir
Match Substitutions
Off On
Lucio Sordoni Simon Berghan
Off On
Nathan McBeth Allan Dell
Off On
Ally Miller JP du Preez
Off On
Johnny Matthews Angus Fraser
Off On
Rory Darge Tom Gordon
Off On
Elias Caven Sean Kennedy
Off On
Sam Johnson Duncan Weir
Off On
Lewis Bean Euan Ferrie
Scorers
Elias Caven Try 
Tom Jordan Conversion
Cole Forbes Try 
Tom Jordan Conversion
Tom Jordan Try 
Tom Gordon Try