Glasgow Warriors reaction: Finding another way to win but concerns over Scotland flanker

It’s a weapon that has been good to Smith during his time with the Warriors but proved less effective last season. It was back to full working order at Scotstoun on Friday as the Warriors overcame a sticky start to win with something to spare.

“Yeah, I'm proud that we found other ways to win,” said the Glasgow head coach, who praised Shade Munro, the Warriors’ senior academy coach, for his work on the lineout mauls. “We know we have that in our armour, but it was good to see all the hard work that the boys put in from the maul and scrum perspective was rewarded tonight.”

Gregor Hiddleston, the Warriors hooker, was on the end of two of the lineout drive tries in the first half, either side of one by Rory Darge. Seb Stephen, the replacement hooker, scored from a maul in the second half.

The other Glasgow try came from full-back Josh McKay, created by the kicking excellence of Dan Lancaster and Jamie Dobie.

‘So much better than last week’

Smith felt the performance was much improved on last week when his team were held to a 33-33 draw at home by Ulster.

“Without the ball, I thought we were very good, so much better than last week,” said Smith. “And that was the one thing I've challenged the boys with. So, a good response from them.

“And then our attack was good enough. I just thought Connacht defended unbelievably well. But we asked the right questions, we still got the penalties that we wanted, and we forced them back into their own half and I thought that led to the maul tries.

Proud of Scott Cummings

“I'm really proud in the way Scotty Cummings and then Jare [Oguntibeju] found a way to win the ball. They competed really well without the ball as well. So, yeah, an improvement on last week, definitely.”

Matt Fagerson concern

The win means Glasgow have taken 13 points from a possible 15 in their first three games of the new United Rugby Championship season. They switch competitions next weekend, taking on Sale Sharks away in the Investec Champions Cup, and there will be some concerns around injuries.

Back-row forward Matt Fagerson came off at half-time with a groin issue and prop Patrick Schickerling took a “shot to the hand”. Kyle Rowe pulled out before kick-off after feeling unwell but should be fit for Sale.

“I was going to sub [Matt Fagerson] anyway at half-time, it was the plan from the start,” said Smith. “One minute before, he felt his groin tighten up. So, it is a little bit of a concern for the week. I'm not sure how serious it is. We'll have to leave the medical team to do their job.”