Munster Rugby rue lacklustre first half showing as Glasgow prevail in URC clash

MUNSTER Rugby were left to rue a poor first half showing as the province fell to a disappointing 31-22 defeat to Glasgow Warriors in their United Rugby championship clash at Scotstoun on Friday night.

This was a fourth defeat for Munster in their last five URC outings and a sixth defeat in seven for the province in all competitions.

Ollie Smith, Dan Lancaster, Jare Oguntibeju and Josh McKay scored tries for the Warriors to see the home side build a commanding 28-5 half-time lead, with Ethan Coughlan responding for Munster.

A wonder try from Dan Kelly gave Munster hope and further five-pointers from Brian Gleeson and Diarmuid Kilgallen brought the visitors back to within six points.

Lancaster knocked over a late penalty to halt the Munster fightback and ensure Glasgow made it nine straight wins in all competitions.

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SCORERS: Glasgow Warriors: Tries: Ollie Smith, Dan Lancaster, Jare Oguntibeju, Josh McKay Cons: Dan Lancaster 4 Pens: Dan Lancaster. Munster Rugby: Tries: Ethan Coughlan, Dan Kelly, Brian Gleeson, Diarmuid Kilgallen Cons: Tom Wood

GLASGOW WARRIORS: Josh McKay, Kyle Rowe, Stafford McDowall (Capt), Kerr Yule, Ollie Smith, Dan Lancaster, Ben Afshar, Jamie Bhatti, Seb Stephen, Murphy Walker, Alex Craig, Jare Oguntibeju, Euan Ferrie, Angus Fraser, Ally Miller. Replacements: Sam Talakai for Walker (38 mins), Nathan McBeth for Bhatti, Sione Vailanu for Fraser (both 47 mins), Macenzzie Duncan for Oguntibeju (65 mins), Jack Oliver for Afshar, Matthew Urwin for Yule, Grant Stewart for Stephen, Dylan Cockburn for Craig (all 77 mins).

MUNSTER RUGBY: Mike Haley, Thaakir Abrahams, Shane Daly, Dan Kelly, Diarmuid Kilgallen, Tony Butler, Ethan Coughlan, Mark Donnelly, Diarmuid Barron (Capt), Oli Jager, Evan O’Connell, Fineen Wycherley, Seán Edogbo, Ruadhán Quinn, Brian Gleeson. Replacements: Michael Ala’alatoa for Jager (injured, 17 mins), Gavin Coombes for F Wycherley, Jack O’Donoghue for Quinn, Tom Wood for Butler, Paddy Patterson for Coughlan (all 46 mins), Lee Barron for D Barron (53 mins), Fineen Wycherley for Coombes (56 mins, HIA), John Ryan for Donnelly (68 mins), Seán O’Brien for Kilgallen (76 mins).

REFEREE: Craig Evans (Wales)