Glasgow Warriors underline Champions Cup credentials with famous win as Huw Jones excels on return

If the first half was all about Glasgow’s attacking brilliance as they ran in four tries inside 35 minutes, it was a different story after the interval.

Up against it after losing Patrick Schickerling and then George Horne to yellow cards while conceding a penalty try, all in the space of a manic minute, Warriors showed they can dig in too as they kept Clermont at bay with tenacious tackling and streetwise game management.

The French side did breakthrough belatedly with the two extra men to move within five points but again Glasgow did not wilt, instead scoring a fifth try late on through man-of-the-match, Kyle Steyn.

The victory sealed their place in the last 16, where they will almost certainly be at home, and Steyn gave praise to his forwards for their indefatigability when the roof, briefly, threatened to cave in.

He said: “I can’t say what I was thinking when we got the two yellow cards as I’d be swearing! We were obviously very nervous as you don’t want that.

“But we had a clear plan of what to do if something like that was going to happen. And I’m really proud of our forwards for the way they stepped up in those 10 minutes. We’ve just got a really good group that’s just really keen to play for each other.”

Glasgow complete their pool stage commitments at home to Saracens next Sunday and Steyn was eager to ensure they finish on a high.

He added: “Our goal will be to win again, especially being at home. Saracens are a really good outfit. But we’re looking forward to playing them in front of our fans.”

The chaotic nature of the second half took some of the spotlight from Huw Jones who was integral to most of Glasgow’s early play on his first outing of the season.

A trademark run through a hole was the catalyst behind Glasgow’s first attack, one that concluded with Clermont’s Pita Gus Sowakula earning a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on.

The first try, though, was all down to Franco Smith’s predilection for the unorthodox. The Glasgow head coach stuck Steyn at the front of the line-out and it worked a treat as the winger pouched the ball and the maul drove over Euan Ferrie.

The second score was more typically Glasgow as Dan Lancaster picked out Jones who accelerated away to cross the line.

There was no evidence of any rust as the Scotland centre then turned creator for number three. His clever kick caused doubt in Clermont full-back Axel Guillaud’s head and Kyle Rowe claimed the ball to tee up Steyn.

Clermont finally made their mark when George Moala bulldozed his way over but back came Glasgow, a tap penalty from Horne starting a move that concluded with Jack Dempsey dotting down.

It all looked done and dusted by half-time but the two yellow cards and the penalty try offered Clermont an unlikely lifeline.

Warriors, though, managed the period brilliantly until Irae Simone scored to get Clermont within five points before Steyn scored again to seal a famous victory.