Leonardo Sarto leads Glasgow's 42-13 victory over Leicester

Glasgow 42-13 Leicester Tigers, Scotstoun Stadium
Scorecard

Leonardo Sarto scored a double as Glasgow Warriors kick started their European Champions Cup campaign with a convincing 42-13 victory over Leicester Tigers at Scotstoun Stadium on Friday.

Fly-half Owen Williams got Leicester Tigers off the mark with a seventh minute penalty. Wallabies star Matt Toouma did not have an auspicious debut for the Tigers as he was sin-binned in the 14th minute for a tackle on Finn Russell. Stuart Hogg capitalised on the infringement as he scored the penalty successfully to level the scores.

However, Glasgow Warriors failed to build on the advantage as Ryan Wilson was yellow carded in the 18th minute following which Adam Thompstone scored the opening try of the game to take Leicester Tigers to 10 - 3 lead.

The game slipped away from Leicester Tigers when Sarto, Fraser Brown and Henry Pygros scored a try each in a span of 10 minutes and with Russell converting two of it, Glasgow Warriors stormed into half time with a 22-13 lead.

A penalty from Russell stretched Glasgow lead to 12 points but infringements from Leicester Tigers costed them another player when replacement Logovi'i Mulipola was sin-binned.

Mathew Tait's knock-on allowed Mark Bennett to cross over in the 68th minute and Sarto capped off the game with his second try at the closing stage to ensure a 42-13 victory for the home side.

Despite, the victory, Glasgow head coach Gregor Townsend admitted there is a lot of scope for improvement especially in the attacking role of play.

The future Scotland head coach said: "Parts of the performance were outstanding, the forward pack in particular: the way they scrummed, the way they carried the ball, the way they defended the lineout drive. We drove well ourselves, we got penalties and our scrummage up against a very big pack was outstanding.

"The occasion was brilliant, the supporters were great. It was a brilliant night for our wingers and for Zander (Fagerson) to go up against two very good loosehead props, he was really controlled and strong.

"It was great to see the players play well but there's a bit of work to do and it's mainly my coaching because there were a few attack plays that didn't work well."

Meanwhile, Leicester Tigers rugby director Richard Cockerill lamented on his ability to cope up with the pressure.

"The first 15 minutes were all right and then we went downhill rapidly.

"We started well against a stiff breeze, controlled the game well, our tactics were good, even with Matt Toomua in the bin. Then we made silly errors and invited Glasgow into the game, they are very good on the front foot and they played very well and they punished us.

"We couldn't cope when they had quick ball and quick recycle."