Glasgow topple 2020 champions

Glasgow produced an excellent performance to see off 2020 European champions Exeter 22-7, with fly-half Ross Thompson kicking 15 points.

The United Rugby Championship outfit were narrowly beaten at Stade Rochelais in the opening round but picked up a first victory in Pool A at a foggy Scotstoun Stadium.

Four Thompson penalties were the only points in the first hour as the teams struggled in difficult conditions, though Glasgow were dominating the breakdown and punishing Exeter’s inaccuracy and ill-discipline.

No.8 Sam Simmonds powered over for a converted try with 10 minutes to play as Chiefs reduced the deficit to five points, but Glasgow replacement hooker Johnny Matthews dotted down at the back of a maul with seconds to play to seal a deserved triumph for the hosts.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ey6by--msrg

Home comforts

Coronavirus issues saw a spate of games cancelled, but for those that went ahead, home advantage seemed to prove decisive – the host side prevailed in all five of the contests played.

Tries from Rob Herring, Ethan McIlroy and Craig Gilroy helped Ulster Rugby beat Northampton Saints 27-22, while Danny Care, Marcus Smith, Alex Dombrandt (2), Joe Marchant and André Esterhuizen crossed in a 43-17 Harlequins success against a depleted Cardiff Rugby.

Ben Healy kicked 14 points as Munster Rugby overcame Castres Olympique 19-13 and Leicester Tigers ground out a 29-23 win over Connacht Rugby courtesy of scores from Nic Dolly, Bryce Hegarty, Freddie Steward and Hosea Saumaki.

Round 2 results:

Montpellier Hérault Rugby 28 Leinster Rugby 0*

Racing 92 28 Ospreys 0*

Ulster Rugby 27 Northampton Saints 22

Bath Rugby 0 Stade Rochelais 0*

Harlequins 43 Cardiff Rugby 17

Sale Sharks 0 ASM Clermont Auvergne 0*

Glasgow Warriors 22 Exeter Chiefs 7

Munster Rugby 19 Castres Olympique 13

Scarlets 0 Union Bordeaux-Bègles 0*

Leicester Tigers 29 Connacht Rugby 23

Stade Toulousain 0 Wasps 0*

Stade Français Paris 0 Bristol Bears 0*

*Cancelled game

We continue our account of a thrilling Heineken Champions Cup season with a recap of Round 2, which featured an impressive Glasgow Warriors victory over Exeter Chiefs.