Full Time

Talk about a slow burner!

It’s Glasgow Warriors who take the win, running in six tries – five of them in the second half – to claim a dogged 45-17 victory over Zebre Parma.

Johnny Matthews grabbed himself a brace off the bench, with Sintu Manjezi and Domingo Miotti each scoring their first tries in Glasgow colours and Sebastian Cancelliere and Stafford McDowall also crossing the whitewash.

Conversion is good

And just to put the cherry on top, Horne’s conversion keeps his own personal 100% record intact, and puts the final touch on proceedings – it’s a win for your Warriors!

TRY GLASGOW

Guess who?

It’s Matthews again who smuggles his way over the line for his second of the afternoon, as the maul has too much for the Zebre defence.

Glasgow ball

This time Bean is the target and here comes the maul…

Glasgow ball

Matthews finds JP du Preez, who is taken in the air.

We’ll do it all again…

Glasgow ball

Clock in the red, but Glasgow looking to finish with a flourish as Tuipulotu frees Manjezi out wide.

Penalty advantage in hand, the decision becomes a full penalty as Tuipulotu knocks on.

Miotti goes for touch and nails it, finding the platform seven metres out.

Zebre ball

Still Zebre run, Kvesic keeping it alive under pressure from McDowall.

Prisciantelli looks to free Pelser, but Gregor Brown makes the steal.

Zebre ball

Zebre in search of a bonus-point themselves, as they run from their own 22.

The penalty decision comes their way, as Lewis Bean is penalised for a high shot.

Try Zebre

Straight from the off, Zebre hit back – a penalty for offside is kicked to the corner, and du Toit rolls over from a split maul.

Lorenzo Pani takes over kicking duties but can’t add the extras.

Conversion is good

Six from six tonight for Horne, who bends the kick perfectly inside the posts!

TRY GLASGOW

Simple!

Matthews gets to within five metres, before Dobie spots the chance and goes blindside.

It’s a three on two, with Manjezi giving the last pass to Miotti to send the Argentinian over for his first try for Glasgow!

Glasgow ball

Matthews finds Gray and the maul is making slow progress, as the backs add some extra weight.

Penalty Glasgow

Zebre briefly look to run it, but the pass forces the kick to touch.

Dobie is then impeded at the breakdown and the penalty is awarded.

Miotti finds touch 10m from the Zebre line.

No conversion

Prisciantelli can’t add the extras, so it remains 31-12 to the Warriors.

Try Zebre

The hosts make their field position count – Zebre’s maul proves too tough to stop, and Jacques du Toit is the man to get up with the ball.

Penalty Zebre

Great defensive shot from McDowall to drive the hosts back, only for Prisciantelli to find a gap.

He’s taken high, and Zebre go to the corner themselves.

Glasgow replacements

Domingo Miotti is on for Tom Jordan, whilst Jamie Dobie replaces Sebastian Cancelliere which means Horne goes to the wing.

Conversion is good

Horne makes it four conversions from four for good measure.

TRY GLASGOW

He loves playing Zebre, doesn’t he?

It’s Johnny Matthews who goes over for the bonus-point score, the last man in a barrage of close-range carriers after the maul is stopped just short.

Nice identification of the gap from Matthews, who lifts it over the diving defencer and dots down.

Glasgow ball

Matthews to Gray. On come the reinforcements….

Penalty Glasgow

Zebre collapse the maul illegally.

To the corner once more…

Glasgow lineout

Smith finds touch 10m out, and Matthews will find Gray.

On comes the drive…

Glasgow ball

Tuipulotu is almost through a gap, falling just as he gets away.

Zebre stray offside, however, giving the Warriors the penalty.

Free-kick Glasgow

Zebre shove early and Glasgow have the free-kick.

The Warriors choose to scrum again.

Scrum Zebre

Again the lineout is not straight, though, and Zebre elect for the scrum.

Penalty Glasgow

Again Bhatti gets the upper hand and wins the penalty from the referee, Niculae folding under pressure.

Jordan finds touch on halfway.

Glasgow replacements

Gregor Brown comes into the back-row to replace Ryan Wilson, as Johnny Matthews takes the place of Fraser Brown.

Scrum Glasgow

Excellent take from Smith, under all sorts of pressure.

Pani then does likewise and races clear, accelerating through a gap.

He loses his footing as he looks to step, though, and the ball goes forward.

Zebre lineout

Horne spots some space in behind, but the kick is just an inch too long and goes out on the full.

Zebre lineout

Zebre in fact opt for the lineout, as Jacques du Toit throws long.

It’s contested but Pelser holds on and Zebre look to exit.

Scrum Zebre

The throw drifts frustratingly off-centre, and Zebre will have the scrum five metres from their own line.

Wilson is down receiving some treatment here.

Penalty Glasgow

Brown this time finds Wilson in the middle, and the shove comes on.

Horne marshalling the troops as play moves over the 10m line.

Horne then goes high and Steyn is obstructed in the chase, meaning Jordan will go to the corner.

Penalty Glasgow

Immense pressure from Bhatti, as he gets the penalty from the referee after putting the squeeze on Ion Niculae.

Smith hammers it to touch on the Zebre 10m line.

Zebre ball

Lucchin and Cronje combine to take play into the Glasgow 22, before Prisciantelli gets the bounce of the ball and breaks the line.

Glasgow recover to hold him up, but play comes back for a knock-on in the tackle by a Glasgow hand.

Scrum to Zebre on the 22.

Glasgow replacements

Jamie Bhatti and Lewis Bean enter the fray, replacing Oli Kebble and Sione Vailanu respectively.

Sintu Manjezi will move into the back-row.

Scrum Zebre

The lineout goes wrong for Zebre but the hosts rescue the ball and Prisciantelli looks to chip ahead.

Cancelliere does superbly well to take the ball though, clearing long.

A bit of kick tennis briefly breaks out, before the ball goes forward on the deck from a Glasgow hand and Zebre have the put-in.

Penalty Zebre

This time the penalty call goes the way of the hosts, and Prisciantelli finds touch just outside the Glasgow 22.

Scrum Glasgow

Manjezi gets up well and forces the turnover, as Zebre knock on – scrum to the Warriors on halfway.

Zebre lineout

Brilliant kick from Horne, who clears up to halfway from the restart.

Conversion is good

Another expertly judged kick from Horne, and the Warriors lead by 17.

TRY GLASGOW

A second in three minutes!

Bruno misjudges the kick under pressure from Steyn, and McDowall is the man on the spot to gather and race home from 35 metres.

Great chase from the centre!

Glasgow ball

Brown to Gray once more, before Horne goes high with the kick…

Glasgow lineout

The Warriors raising the tempo early here, as Steyn again leads the defensive charge – he drags Pani into touch on the kick-chase and Glasgow have a lineout on halfway.

Conversion is good

Superbly judged by Horne as he adds the conversion, and Glasgow lead 17-7

TRY GLASGOW

Clinical!

Brilliant call from Horne to switch the play, as Steyn goes steaming through a gap.

It’s a simple two-on-one for the skipper, who draws the full-back and sends Cancelliere over for the score.

Glasgow ball

Brown finds Gray and the second-rower is taken in the air.

Advantage coming, so Horne and Tuipulotu combine to free Smith.

Walker on the carry, before Horne switches the play…

Glasgow ball

Horne whips it away to McDowall, before it’s flashed on to Cancelliere.

Steyn then straightens the line as advantage is played, with Brown in support.

McDowall is almost away, but instead we come back for the penalty.

Smith finds touch inside the Zebre 22.

Free-kick Glasgow

Zebre go early and Glasgow have the free-kick.

Scrum is the decision.

Scrum Zebre

The referee calls the throw as not straight, and Zebre opt for the scrum on the Glasgow 10m line.

Glasgow lineout

Good exit from Glasgow, as Horne’s kick forces Bruno to take it and Steyn tackles his man into touch.

Kick-off

It’s somehow getting even wetter in Parma, as the two teams emerge from the tunnel once more.

Priciantelli gets the nod from the referee and off we go again.

Half Time

A bit of a dogfight in Parma, but the Warriors lead at the break – Sintu Manjezi’s try and George Horne’s boot has Glasgow 10-7 to the good at the interval.

Stay tuned!

Penalty Glasgow

Easy as you like for Horne, who gives his side the lead with the last kick of the half.

Penalty Glasgow

The ball goes to deck so play is brought back for the penalty.

This time Horne will go for goal, 15 metres out from in front of the posts.

Glasgow ball

Brown and Wilson combine, the old-stagers taking play over the gain line.

Vailanu does likewise as advantage is played…

Glasgow ball

Brown finds Manjezi and the maul is formed, before Brown breaks away.

Zebre make a good tackle but still in Glasgow hands, as Tuipulotu comes into the line at pace.

Penalty Glasgow

Nocera is penalised for not rolling away, and the Warriors opt for touch rather than the points.

Smith drills it into touch for a lineout about seven or eight metres out.

Glasgow ball

Brown finds Gray before Vailanu peels off, linking up with McDowall.

Ryan Wilson then has a charge, before Jordan looks to release the backs.

Glasgow ball

Safer ball this time, as Horne and McDowall look to free Ollie Smith.

The full-back steps clear of two defenders, before Glasgow are penalised for off-feet at the ruck.

However, there’s some off the ball work on Horne which the scrum-half takes exception to, and the penalty is reversed by referee Tual Trainini.

Smith goes for touch and takes play up to the Zebre 22.

Penalty Glasgow

Big shove from Oli Kebble, who gets under his man and wins the scrum penalty.

Jordan finds touch on the Glasgow 10m line, give or take a few yards.

Scrum Glasgow

The ball goes loose and Zebre spring into life, counter-attacking from deep.

Fox-Matamua looks offside as he regathers the chip from Prisciantelli but play continues, and Bruno almost slides over for his second.

The ball goes forward though thanks to pressure from Steyn, and Glasgow have the scrum.

Penalty Glasgow

Cancelliere almost picks off an interception, and Zebre go off their feet as they scramble the loose ball back into their possession.

Jordan goes to touch just outside the Zebre 22.

Missed penalty

A mis-cue from Prisciantelli, who scoops the kick and it drops both short and wide.

Glasgow ground the bouncing ball for a 22 and Jordan hammers long.

Penalty Zebre

Solid platform from the Warriors – however, the referee disagrees and awards a penalty to Zebre.

Prisciantelli will have a shot at goal here.

Scrum Glasgow

In fact the offload was deemed to be forward, so it’s a Glasgow scrum.

Zebre lineout

Unlucky!

Zebre maul well initially but the offload from Nepia Fox-Matamua goes to ground and Cancelliere scoops it up and is off like a shot.

The winger just steps on the whitewash though, and Zebre escape with the lineout.

Penalty Zebre

Somewhat harshly, Fraser Brown has been penalised for an incident at the maul, despite being held into the ruck by Kvesic.

Prisciantelli finds touch on the Glasgow 10m line.

Glasgow ball

Brown finds Manjezi and this time its Glasgow who look to maul.

There’s a stoppage, though, as the officials have a chat about something.

Penalty Glasgow

Fierce defence from the Warriors and they force the error, McDowall and Jordan coming away with the ball on halfway.

Cancelliere is scragged, but there was advantage being played and Jordan finds touch inside the Zebre 22.

Zebre lineout

Horne hammers the clearing kick long from the restart, finding touch on halfway.

Conversion is good

No mistake from the tee from George Horne, and we’re all square once again.

Try Glasgow

Glasgow hit right back!

Cook takes far too long setting up the clearing kick and it’s charged down by Manjezi – great composure by the second-rower as he regathers and dives over for his first try in Glasgow colours!

Try Zebre

It’s Zebre who find the first breakthrough – a splintered maul sees the ball find it’s way to Prisciantelli, and the fly-half’s chip over the top is regathered by Pierre Bruno for the score.

Prisciantelli adds the extras and Zebre lead 7-0.

Zebre ball

Good enterprise from Glasgow as Jordan and Horne combine to turn the defence, but Jordan’s tackle is slightly high in the chase.

Zebre kick the penalty to touch for a lineout 30m out.

Scrum Zebre

Vailanu and McDowall combine again, this time holding up Lucchin as the centre charges forward.

Scrum to Glasgow, 30m from the Glasgow line.

Zebre lineout

Big carry from Sione Vailanu in midfield, giving McDowall the platform to exit.

It’s a bit of a slice, but the lineout will still be on the Glasgow 10m line.

Penalty Glasgow

Brilliant defence by Manjezi to wreck the maul, but Zebre still in possession.

Cook feeds Enrico Lucchin only to see the ball go forward, and the hosts are then penalised for mouthing off at the referee.

Outstanding resolve from the Warriors!

Penalty Zebre

Cook thinks he’s over but he’s called for crossing – Zebre had advantage in hand, however, so play comes back for the penalty.

Prisciantelli goes to the corner.

Glasgow replacement

An early blow, as Zander Fagerson is forced to leave the field with an injury – Murphy Walker comes on at tight-head.

Penalty Zebre

This time it’s the hosts that steal the lineout, and only last-ditch defence from Manjezi and Jordan prevents Zebre getting over.

Zebre have a penalty, however, as a Warrior is penalised for not rolling away.

Glasgow ball

Sintu Manjezi almost makes it back-to-back steals, but Zebre win this one.

Marco Manfredi breaks away and goes for the line, only to be wrestled into touch by a combination of Steyn and Brown.

Glasgow lineout, five metres out.

Stolen

Brilliant from Richie Gray!

The big man gets up to steal the lineout, and Horne clears up to the 22.

Zebre ball

Zebre look to maul again and win another penalty – to touch once more they go.

Penalty Zebre

A solid lineout maul from the hosts and the Italians are playing with advantage, as Chris Cook looks to get his pack moving.

No advantage is forthcoming, and to make matters worse Matt Fagerson is dispatched for 10 minutes in the sin bin.

Penalty Zebre

Zebre get over the ball and the Warriors are pinged for a side entry at the ruck.

Pani goes for touch and finds it, giving his side a lineout just outside the Glasgow 22.

Glasgow ball

Apologies, brief technical issues there. Glasgow still in possession though, as Ollie Smith looks to turn the defence.

Jordan skips away from two tacklers and Glasgow on the front foot.

Glasgow lineout

Steyn does brilliantly to collect a chip ahead from George Hone, and McDowall turns the Zebre defence with a grubber to touch.

Zebre go quickly and kick long, but Sebastian Cancellire reads it and returns the favour.

Lorenzo Pani finds touch on the Glasgow 10m line.

Glasgow ball

Jordan runs it back well and is over halfway, before Steyn has a dart again.

Sione Tuipulotu feeds Oli Kebble, and the Warriors looking to run early.

Glasgow ball

Scrappy ball for the hosts, so Chris Cook box-kicks long.

Brilliant take from Ollie Smith, though, and the Warriors ship it wide to Steyn on their own 10m line.

Scrum Zebre

Zebre clear well from the kick-off but straight away the Warriors come forward, Kyle Steyn releasing Stafford McDowall in the wide channels.

Matt Fagerson then has a barge but can’t quite hold onto the ball on the deck, meaning Zebre have the scrum on their own 10m line.

Kick-off

After a pre-match pause to remember the great Doddie Weir, it’s Tom Jordan who gets play underway in Parma!

Five minute warning

Right, Warrior Nation – this is your five minute warning…

Get yourself settled in and let’s get to work…

Team News

Head Coach Franco Smith makes six changes to his Glasgow Warriors starting XV for this afternoon’s clash, including welcoming back five of Scotland’s Autumn Nations Series stars.

The Fagerson brothers both come into the pack, lining up together for the 50th time in Glasgow colours.

Richie Gray starts in the second-row having completed a World Rugby coaching intervention programme to reduce his suspension by a week, whilst Sione Tuipulotu comes into the side at 13 after impressing for Scotland this autumn.

On the bench, Domingo Miotti returns after missing last weekend with a knock, whilst young stars Murphy Walker and Alex Samuel rotate to the replacements after starting last time out.

Team News

With just 15 minutes to go until kick-off, time to take you through today’s teams.

Hosts Zebre Parma have been forced into a late change, as Jacopo Trulla comes in on the wing to replace Simone Gesi.

Italian international Pierre Bruno lines up on the other wing, whilst former Worcester and England back-rower Matt Kvesic starts at number eight.

Kobus van Wyk could make his Zebre debut off the bench this afternoon, having arrived in Parma over the summer following a short spell at Leicester Tigers.

Scottish Italian Shield

There’s more than just league points on the line this afternoon, too – there’s a chance for Glasgow Warriors to get one over on a Scottish-Italian Shield rival in the process.

With the winner of each shield guaranteed a place in next season’s Heineken Champions Cup, there’s a serious prize at stake come season’s end…

Previous encounter

It was maximum points to the Warriors the last time they faced off against today’s opponents, running in six tries in a 40-12 victory over Zebre Parma at Scotstoun back in April.

Johnny Matthews carved his name into the club history books that evening, crossing for the first-ever hat-trick by a hooker in Glasgow Warriors history.

State of play

It’s been a season of two halves so far for Glasgow Warriors.

Scintillating home form has seen Franco Smith’s men earn 15 points from a possible 15, with Cardiff, the Bulls and Benetton all being put to the sword at Scotstoun.

By contrast, the Warriors are winless away from home so far, yet the signs all point to that elusive away triumph being not too far away.

A 40-5 scoreline against Leinster last time out doesn’t tell the full story, as Smith’s men were made to rue missed opportunities at the RDS.

Game Day

It’s an early start for Glasgow Warriors today, as Franco Smith’s men travel to Parma for a Scottish-Italian Shield clash in Round Nine of the BKT URC.

Zebre Parma are the hosts, and kick-off is just over an hour away…