Match Preview | EPCR Challenge Cup Quarter Final | Emirates Lions (H)

• 6 Apr 2023
• Match Preview

It’s quarter final week in the EPCR Challenge Cup this weekend and Glasgow Warriors will be hosting Emirates Lions at Scotstoun on Saturday night. 

Glasgow Warriors and the Emirates Lions have only played each other twice with a win and a loss for each team.  The winner of Saturday’s clash will earn a place in the Semi-Finals.

Last weekend’s record-breaking game for Glasgow saw them set four new club records as well as secure a place in the Quarter Final against Dragons.  Records set were most tries scored by a single player (Johnny Matthews), fasted hat-trick (Johnny Matthews), most tries in a game and most points in a game.  The Warriors will be aiming to bring in that attacking mentality to this weekend’s match against the Lions.

Glasgow Warriors had more of their Scotland players in their squad last week and with the full squad being back at training, Franco Smith, has a full range of players to choose from.  Skipper Kyle Steyn was back in action last weekend having been on Scotland duty and was instrumental in several of the tries scored in the game.

Johnny Matthews got four of his five tries from line outs and dominant driving mauls, something the squad will be keen to show their dominance in again this weekend.

According to the EPCR statistics for this season, Glasgow Warriors have made near double the number of passes that the Lions have.  The Warriors have made 810 passes while the Lions have only made 450.  Glasgow also gained more metres with 2204 in comparison to the Lions 1665 metres.  Glasgow Warriors have also scored more tries with 27 (11 of them being in last weekend’s game) with the Lions having scored 18.

The clash between the two sides is set to be a tough one with both teams eager to reach the next stage of the Challenge Cup.

Match Officials

Referee: Matthew Carley
Assistant Referee 1: Hamish Smales
Assistant Referee 2: Dan Jones
TMO: Ian Tempest

Game Details

Kick-off 8pm, Scotstoun Stadium, Tickets available here.