Glasgow Warriors | Leinster v Glasgow Warriors
Share

Got an opinion?
Discuss this article in the comments section or register with the glasgowwarriors.com forum.

Search this site

April 11, 2025

Leinster 52 - 0 Glasgow Warriors

Champions Cup match played at Aviva Stadium on Friday April 11th 2025 | No comments

Franco Smith says Warriors were bullied in every part of the game
Glasgow's Champions Cup campaign is over after they were overpowered by Leinster in Dublin this evening.

The URC champions were completely outgunned all over the pitch as Leinster ran in eight tries in a 52-0 quarter-final win.

It followed a 62-0 thumping of Harlequins in the previous round and it's clear Leinster are operating on a different level from all their rivals.

There was added misery for Glasgow with the leg injury suffered by Matt Fagerson looking likely to end his season.

Glasgow Warriors head coach Franco Smith told Premier Sports: "They were brilliant, I'm not going to make excuses from our side, they were just brilliant.

"A lot of other coaches that have stood here have said it, but the fact they've played so many times together, in the international jersey together [too]. They do not have to play every week, that allows them to be fresh, to spend more time in the gym, and it was evident tonight.

"It was the first time we've been completely bullied in every part of the game.

"As coaches, we just keep on telling the players that we need to improve, there is more required, there is a difference between club and international level. You play a team like this, you realise that, you understand the work that still needs to be done - may that be in the gym or on the field with decision making, the pressure, how you manage the game when you start losing the contact part of it.

"There's no better place to experience it first hand and now they'll understand the message on Mondays [meeting] much better. The message will go to the whole squad - we've got a bunch of boys not available for selection tonight - but now they'll hear firsthand from their teammates what's needed.

"It is terrible about Matt [Fagerson], he's our biggest loss of the night. Gregor Brown is available to play in the loose forwards now Scott Cummings and Max Williamson will be available.

"We'll see more of Jack Dempsey soon. We'll see, there's one or two tricks up the sleeve. Gregor Hiddleston, Sione Tuipulotu, Huw Jones, Josh McKay, a number of players who have played an important role in the last year. We've seen what squad depth does for Leinster and that's what we're trying to get to."

Referee Luke Pearce (England)
Team
1
Nathan McBeth
2
Johnny Matthews
3
Sam Talakai
4
Gregor Brown
5
Alex Samuel
6
Matt Fagerson
7
Rory Darge
8
Sione Vailanu
9
George Horne
10
Adam Hastings
11
Kyle Steyn
12
Tom Jordan
13
Stafford McDowall
14
Jamie Dobie
15
Kyle Rowe
Sub
Grant Stewart
Sub
Jamie Bhatti
Sub
Patrick Schickerling
Sub
JP du Preez
Sub
Max Williamson
Sub
Euan Ferrie
Sub
Ben Afshar
Sub
Sebastian Cancelliere
Match Substitutions
Off On
Sione Vailanu JP du Preez
Off On
Nathan McBeth Jamie Bhatti
Off On
Johnny Matthews Grant Stewart
Off On
Gregor Brown Euan Ferrie
Off On
Sam Talakai Patrick Schickerling
Off On
Alex Samuel Max Williamson
Off On
George Horne Ben Afshar
Off On
Matt Fagerson Sebastian Cancelliere