Sports
By Andy Burke BBC Scotland at Scotstoun
Huw Jones stole the show with two superb tries as Glasgow booked their place in the last 16 of the Champions Cup with victory over Toulon.
Jones set up Kyle Rowe brilliantly for the game’s opening score before crossing himself later in the half.
Gael Drean hit back for the visitors after the break but Josh McKay responded to restore the advantage.
Jones and Rowe added further scores to ensure Glasgow’s passage into the knockout stages.
The most recent meeting between these sides was last season’s Challenge Cup final in Dublin in May, when Glasgow’s thrilling run was brought to a shuddering halt as the French giants dismantled them in devastating fashion.
For a variety of reasons, many of the stars who pulled Glasgow apart at the Aviva Stadium were not on show at Scotstoun.
McKay sprinkled some stardust of his own with what looked like a brilliant solo try, a slaloming run from his own half that cut the Toulon defence to shreds.
But the television match official spotted a block – a pretty innocuous one, it has to be said – to create the gap which McKay stormed through and the score was ruled out.
Jones, restored to the 13 jersey after playing most of his rugby on the wing of late, cut through with a lovely break and found Rowe with a sumptuous offload to send the wing over in the corner.
This one did count and Glasgow had their noses in front.
With the form of Cam Redpath alongside Finn Russell at Bath, there has been a growing opinion that the midfield axis of Jones and Sione Tuipulotu may be broken up in the upcoming Six Nations.
The centres combined to show that the “Huwipulotu” connection is alive and well, Jones cutting a beautiful line off his midfield partner to glide over for try number two.
The home side butchered a promising position to drive home their advantage late in the half and were made to pay as Drean finished off a sustained Toulon attack to bring the French side back into the game.
The next score was crucial and it came from the home side on the hour mark.
Jack Dempsey and Matt Fagerson were beginning to punch holes in the Toulon defence.
Some big carries took Warriors to the brink of the French line and Johnny Matthews, who normally needs no invitation to have a go at the try-line, instead floated a gorgeous pass over the top for McKay to finally get his try.
Warriors were moving through the gears as was Jones, who left the Toulon defence trailing in his wake with an electric turn of pace to go in for his second try of the night and cap a vintage personal display.
With the match long since won, Glasgow continued to bang away at the Toulon defence and Rowe crossed in the final play to round off a dominant win.
What they said
Glasgow Warriors head coach Franco Smith: “They came to play. I’m proud that the boys stepped up – especially the boys who were selected for Scotland. They played with their hearts on their sleeve and we can’t ask for more.
“Now the little things like the Northampton and Exeter losses suddenly counts a lot. We’ve got to learn to play these tough games away from home.
“I hope Scotland feel we’ve given them boys in good form. We’re excited to see how they experience Six Nations level. I’m proud of the young boys tonight – Euan Ferrie, Max Williamson tonight. I’m excited for the guys staying here as well.”
Glasgow Warriors centre Huw Jones: “It was pretty good fun. A great win that was pretty scrappy at times but we did enough. We were physical, the forwards were great and we were clinical when it mattered so we’re happy with that.
“Although we had a few good moments in the first 20 minutes we weren’t getting anywhere. Neither team had scored. We got something to get across the line which sparked the rest of the game.”
T.
-January 20, 2024 @ 9:17 GMT|
Tags: Huw Jones
