Glasgow Warriors set up their first ever home quarter-final in the Champions Cup with a hard-fought win over the Bulls amid brutal conditions at Scotstoun.
The rain poured and wind swirled but Glasgow ultimately prevailed 25-21 against the South Africans as they displayed the winning mentality that Franco Smith has instilled in this squad. Here's how the players rated.
15. Josh McKay - 8
Solid as a rock. It wasn’t a night for flamboyant rugby but McKay almost lit up Scotstoun with a virtuoso solo try late on. The full-back was perfect under the high ball and ended with most metres carried (123).
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14. Kyle Steyn - 6
It was a massive boost that the influential captain returned but he was relatively subdued as an attacking threat. Almost burst through early on from a set-piece routine but slightly guilty of allowing ball bounce for Bulls’ second try.
13. Stafford McDowall - 9
Outstanding. Fully justified his selection ahead of Huw Jones as he’s in much better form. McDowall is such a physical presence and fronted up in defence and one brilliant clearance kick. Very underrated finish for his try, which won the game.
12. Sione Tuipulotu - 8
The definition of a Warrior. It wasn’t the conditions for flashy rugby and Tuipulotu couldn’t display his vast skillset but battled valiantly. The talk is always of ‘Huwpulotu’ but the Scotland captain has an excellent relationship with McDowall too.
11. Ollie Smith - 6
Wing isn’t Smith’s favourite position but he showed up well. His larger stature than Kyle Rowe helped in defence but wasn’t overly involved. Lucky to avoid giving try away when early kick was charged down.
10. Dan Lancaster - 5
It was very difficult conditions for a fly-half but Lancaster didn’t produce his best display. His decision making was questionable on several occasions and missed touch with a penalty. Good defensively, however.
9. George Horne - 5
Only lasted 34 minutes and his injury will be a concern with Jamie Dobie also sidelined. Wasn’t at his best before then with two passes going to ground and kicking out on the full.
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- Patrick Schickerling - 9
Immense. His best display for Glasgow Warriors. Will never get the headlines but deserved them last night. Won two turnovers at the breakdown, finished superbly for his try and also threw in a dummy pass as he burst down the wing.
- Gregor Hiddleston - 6
Lineout success rate was only 75% but it was terrible conditions for throwing. Hiddleston was typically busy and put himself about but wasn’t as influential as in recent weeks.
- Zander Fagerson - 5
A tough evening summed up by dropping the ball after just 30 seconds. Fagerson knocked on once more and there were a couple of missed tackles but he carried well, as always. Scrum came under early pressure but settled in the second half, winning one penalty.
- Max Williamson - 6
Smith deployed two powering locks and they fronted up well against a massive Bulls pack. Williamson’s highlight moment arrived when he showed good awareness to carry and score. Replaced early in the second half.
- Alex Samuel - 6
The big man has found form at the perfect time with several locks sidelined through injury. Samuel made several crunching tackles and a sign of his importance that he played the full 80.
- Matt Fagerson - 8
Very good. Relentless and on the money on both sides of the ball. Won an early turnover deep in his 22 and showed brilliant hands to collect the pass in the build-up to Glasgow’s opening try. Ranked second for tackles amongst Glasgow players and truly carried the fight to the Bullls.
- Rory Darge - 8
Excellent. Darge is in superb form and Embrose Papier will attest to how much of a pest he is at the breakdown. As ever, the Scotland star got through a tremendous amount of work and he secured an outstanding turnover in the second half when ripping the ball in the tackles. Completed the most tackles of any Glasgow player.
8. Jack Dempsey - 7
The number eight seemed to relish the physical encounter and was fired up. Alert to score Glasgow’s second try after a destructive rolling maul and absolutely crunched Papier with a massive hit. Dempsey is a world-class number eight but there was an uncharacteristically sloppy five minute period when there were two errors in quick succession.
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Replacements:
16. Seb Stephen - 4
Has gained the trust of Franco Smith and was typically energetic.
17. Jamie Bhatti - 4
Added fresh legs and was up for the battle.
18. Sam Talakai - 4
Underrated member of Glasgow’s squad.
20. Euan Ferrie - 5
It was interesting that Ferrie was favoured over Jare Oguntibeju but dynamism was preferred. Got through lots of work and tried to make an impact at breakdown.
21. Angus Fraser - 3
Handed the final eight minutes.
22. Ben Afshar - 8
Afshar was poor against Benetton but really stepped up. It wasn't easy to enter such a big game but the youngster was really composed and box kicking was on the money.
23. Adam Hastings - 3
Final six minutes and kicked easy penalty to secure win.
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