Match Preview | Aviron Bayonnais | A

• 13 Dec 2023
• Match Preview

Game week two of the Investec Champions Cup, and this week Glasgow Warriors fly to France to face Aviron Bayonnais for the first time.

Glasgow Warriors played host to Northampton Saints at Scotstoun on Friday evening. The Warriors started well as Sebastian Cancelliere intercepted a pass and ran the ball from just beyond half-way all the way to the try line. A missed conversion saw then only take the five points, with four minutes played.

Northampton then returned quickly with a try by Courtney Lawes. This then set the pace for Northampton who went on to score a further two tries. Glasgow also finished the game on three tries, however Northampton made more successful conversions and capitalised on penalties given by the Glasgow side.

Aviron Bayonnais travelled to Thomond Park to face Munster. The French side had only scored three points in comparison to Munster’s 14 by half-time. However, the side then came back strong in the second half and held Munster to a 17-17 draw. Tries from Remy Baget and Thomas Dolhagaray helped with the Bayonnais recovery.

This is the first time that Aviron Bayonnais have competed in the Champions Cup, but following last weekend’s performance it is clear to see that they are here to play hard.

Despite losing their game, Glasgow Warriors have several players who are already sitting in the top statistics for the competition. Josh McKay sits top of the carries stat with 22 carries which is 3 ahead of the rest of the top 5. McKay and Sebastian Cancelliere sit in the top two of metres made, with 150 and 136 respectively.  Rory Darge sits top of turnovers won and clean breaks with four a piece for each.

Contrast to this Bayonnais does not have any players sitting in the top five of any of the statistics after round one. They are, however, joint top in team statistics for tackle success with 94% along with RC Toulon. Glasgow Warriors sit second in number of passes and metres made.

The game on Friday evening is set to be a tough game for both teams.  Both teams will be hungry for the points after last weekend and will be sure to bring everything they can to the pitch.

Bayonnais will be out to win at home and secure the all important points.  For Glasgow this is the last game for Glasgow before the 1872 Cup games so they will be keen to show what they can do.