I watched Glasgow Warriors chuck away huge chance against Bulls and noted recurring trait - plus a complete player

Not for the first time this season have Franco Smith’s side failed to reach the heights they are capable of when it really counts. They have now once again been punished by the brutal reality of knockout rugby, with such an excellent season ultimately amounting to no silverware.

Here are four talking points from Glasgow Warriors’ 22-21 defeat by the Vodacom Bulls in the URC play-off semi-finals:

1. Glasgow punished by knockout rugby’s small margins again

You can’t help but draw comparisons between this match and Warriors’ Champions Cup exit at the hands of Toulon. Not only were the scores so similar (21-22 and 19-22) but it’s about the expectation being on Glasgow - who couldn’t then live up to it.

Both games feel like massive missed opportunities having worked so hard previously to get themselves into a position where they would be considered favourites on the day. Both times they were beaten by a better team.

The big difference is, even if they wouldn’t use it as an excuse, Warriors were severely depleted by injury when the French side visited Scotstoun. George Horne’s withdrawal was a blow for sure but apart from that they were close to full strength against Bulls and, having had a 21-3 lead, it’s hard to argue that they didn’t chuck a great chance away.

2. Where did Glasgow players go in second half?

You talk about the “tale of two halves” cliché in sport and then there’s this. Glasgow came flying out the blocks but just drifted more and more out of the game as it went on.

Finishing strong clearly applies to both the season as a whole but also individual matches and Warriors have now felt the sting of not being being able to do both. It’s the brutal nature of knockout rugby, as we’re told time and time again, and there is no chance for them to ‘put things right’ as this season is now in the history books.

3. Not the way departing players wanted to sign off

Many of the Warriors players who are departing at the end of this season weren’t included in the squad through either selection or injury, while the ones who are ended on a crushing final note. Jack Dempsey was far from the worst player on the park but certainly didn’t have the sort of impact his high standards demand.

Adam Hastings first touch in the game saw Bulls win a penalty as he got isolated at the breakdown. Not necessarily his fault, but not a good look.

It was important to the Glasgow squad to send these guys off on a high. Not being able to do that is just another painful element added to the long list associated with this game that they will have to live with.

4. Clinical Steyn a high point ahead of Scotland selection

Trying to finish on a high and once again we saw a clinical finishing display from Warriors’ skipper Kyle Steyn. We will see the Scotland squad for the Nations Championship summer fixtures named on Tuesday and you expect the winger to be involved.

This past 12 to 18 months he has established himself as one of the first names on the national team line-up. He is pretty much the full package as far as modern wingers goes.

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