Glasgow strengthen grip on URC top spot in Leinster win

United Rugby Championship Glasgow Warriors (26) 38 Tries : Duncan, Hiddleston, Horne 2, Rowe, Smith Cons : Horne 4 Leinster (12) 17 Tries : Kenny, Keenan, Frawley Cons : Prendergast Glasgow Warriors strengthened their place at the top of the URC with a bonus-point win over a strong Leinster side as their rivalry continues to deepen in the tussle for another title. Franco Smith's men are now eight points clear at the top, after Ulster were beaten by Connacht earlier in the weekend. It was Leinster's ill-discipline that undid them at Scotstoun, with Glasgow striking four times while the Irish side were briefly down to 13 men in the first half.

It was Leo Cullen's side who got the scoring started when All Blacks star Reiko Ioane nabbed the ball inside his own 22m and sent young winger Joshua Kenny flying along the wing to dot down. However, Glasgow responded with four tries of their own to secure the bonus point before they reached half-time. With Leinster's Brian Deeny in the bin, a set-piece move from a tap-and-go 5m out put Maccenzie Duncan over the line - some way to celebrate signing his first pro deal at Scotstoun.

From the restart, Leinster went down to 13 men when Ronan Kelleher was adjudged to have put in a high tackle on Stafford McDowall. After a bunker review, the card remained yellow. The Warriors immediately made use of the extra two men, with Gregor Hiddleston scoring at the back of a driving maul before George Horne scored a breakaway try after line breaks from centre partnership McDowall and Johnny Ventisei, the latter making his pro debut.

The fourth try was the pick of the bunch from one of Glasgow's form players. Receiving the ball on the edge of his own 22m line, Kyle Rowe burned past Ireland international Jimmy O'Brien before hacking on and collecting his own kick. In the corner, he even had the composure to dance inside the last defender and score undoubtedly one of the best tries of his career.