Glasgow player ratings: Rare ‘mare’ comes at the ‘worst time’ as Warriors’ title defence ends on a mighty low

Following Glasgow Warriors’ 37-19 defeat to Leinster in the United Rugby Championship semi-finals, here’s our we rated the now former title-holders.

Glasgow Warriors player ratings v Leinster

15 Josh McKay: He sparked Glasgow’s only try of the match with a brilliant break and chip over the top but got caught flat-footed in defence for Jamie Osborne’s try. He was decent in covering the backfield. 5

14 Kyle Steyn: Rarely has a poor game and while his side were largely dominated, Steyn did not drop his standards. His work-rate was off the charts despite few opportunities with ball in hand. 6

13 Sione Tuipulotu: Threw a gorgeous pass in the build to Horne’s try but that was one of the few highlights of his game as Glasgow were outplayed. Still defended reasonably well and had flashes of excellence but not often enough to turn the tide. 7

12 Tom Jordan: Franco Smith gambled with the decision to move Jordan into the centres and ultimately it did not bear any fruit. Still, the impressive back worked his socks off from minute one to 80 but was unable to inspire his side to another URC final in what proved to be his last game for the Scottish outfit. 6

11 Kyle Rowe: Precious few opportunities in attack and was regularly beaten in the air by the brilliant Tommy O’Brien. Did well to deny a try holding up Jordie Barrett but today was just not his day. 5

10 Adam Hastings: Some bright moments in the opening stages of the game but faded off as the match progressed. Failed to get Glasgow into the right areas of the pitch or control proceedings and was certainly not helped by the quality of service he received. Hooked at half-time. 4

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9 George Horne: Did brilliantly to score Glasgow’s first points of the match but things unravelled for him thereafter in a rather out-of-character performance filled with wasteful kicks and errors. He failed to spark the attack or kick accurately to gain territory. A rare mare at the worst time of the season. 3

8 Henco Venter: His final outing in Warriors colours before he heads to France and, as per usual, he battled manfully but with little success as it was all in vain. 5

7 Rory Darge: He will be disappointed about the manner in which he was fended off by Lowe for Osborne’s try but he was still lively on both sides of the ball. He was not at fault for the defeat. 6

6 Euan Ferrie: Threw his weight around on defence and tried to pilfer over at the breakdown but Leinster’s aggression there was just far superior. 5

5 Scott Cummings: Took the fight to Leinster in the early knockings and contested the lineout well. Relentless work rate on both sides of the ball as his attentions now turn to the British and Irish Lions. 6

4 Alex Samuel: Aided Cummings in putting the pressure on the Leinster lineout but it was not enough. Ticked the responsibilities of his role overall. 5

3 Fin Richardson: Last week we stated that Glasgow needed an improved scrummaging performance today but they didn’t get it from the starters with Richardson and Bhatti conceding penalties and were put into reverse. The Warriors really missed Zander Fagerson in the knockouts. 3

2 Gregor Hiddleston: Lineouts were relatively solid but he was part of a front row that was put in reverse. 4

1 Jamie Bhatti: Thomas Clarkson got the better of him in the scrums, resulting in a substitution early in the second half. Did hit double digits in defence but Glasgow needed a better set-piece performance. 4

Replacements: Glasgow needed nothing short of a minor miracle to turn the tide and overturn a 25-5 half-time deficit and sadly they didn’t get it. Jamie Dobbie was an improvement at scrum-half but outside of that, the Warriors got little impact from the bench as they limped to full-time. 3

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