Glasgow Warriors beat Connacht 36-19

Glasgow 36-19 Connacht, Scotstoun Stadium

Glasgow Warriors continued their unbeaten start to the United Rugby Championship season with a 36-19 bonus-point win over Connacht at Scotstoun.

The Warriors scored five tries, with Gregor Hiddleston crossing twice and Rory Darge, Josh McKay and Seb Stephen also touching down. Connacht caused problems at different stages and briefly threatened a comeback in the second half, but Glasgow’s maul and set-piece power proved decisive.

Connacht Start Strongly

Connacht made the better start and spent much of the early period inside Glasgow territory. Their pressure was rewarded when Sean Jansen powered over from close range to give the visitors the lead.

Glasgow struggled to build early rhythm, but they made their first serious attack count. After kicking to the corner, the Warriors set up a rolling lineout maul and drove over the Connacht line, with Hiddleston touching down.

The match remained scrappy, with neither side fully finding fluency in attack, but Glasgow’s forward power became a clear route to points.

Glasgow Take Control Through Maul

The home side’s second try came from the same source. Another driving maul put Connacht under pressure, and Darge was on hand to finish it off. George Horne converted to move Glasgow ahead.

Connacht prop Sam Illo was shown a yellow card late in the first half after repeated infringements close to his own line, and Glasgow immediately punished the extra man through Hiddleston’s second try. The Warriors kicked to the corner and went back to the maul, with Hiddleston scoring his second try before half-time.

That gave Glasgow a 19-7 lead at the break and left Connacht needing a response after being repeatedly punished at the set-piece.

McKay Secures Bonus Point

Glasgow’s fourth try came through precision rather than power. Dan Lancaster delivered a pinpoint cross-field kick to Jamie Dobie, who gathered and nudged a clever grubber into the path of McKay. The full-back finished the move to secure the bonus point.

Connacht responded through Josh Ioane, who crossed to reduce the deficit to 26-14. The visitors then grew in confidence, and Ioane scored again in the corner to make it a one-score game.

Stephen Try Seals Glasgow Win

Connacht’s momentum was checked when replacement Josh Murphy was shown a yellow card for head contact on Stephen. Glasgow punished the extra man soon after. Once again, they went to the corner and used the rolling maul, with Stephen finishing the move to give the Warriors breathing space.

Lancaster added a late penalty to complete the scoring as Glasgow sealed the maximum five points and continued their unbeaten start to the season.