FT: Perpignan 26-40 Glasgow Warriors (updated) 

Thank you Warrior Nation

Thank you to all our supports here in France, and back at home tonight.

That’s seven wins from seven and Challenge Cup knock out rugby secured for now.

Next up: Bath @ Scotstoun Stadium, Fri 20 Jan, 8pm 

Player of the Match: Johnny Matthews (hooker) 

FT: Perpignan 24-40 Glasgow Warriors

A bonus point win from Glasgow Warriors sees them qualify for the EPCR Challenge Cup last 16, with one round of group matches to go.

A ten try thriller with six going in Glasgow’s favour.

The visitors battle

Perpignan batter Glasgow’s lines in these dying minutes of the game. They’ve held all the possession, but Glasgow’s defence has held fast so far.

The clock crosses the 80.

Perpignan try

From short range off of the scrum Pesolo Tuilagi powers over the whitewash and earns the consolation try for the hosts.

A double movement is questioned, but a visit to the TMO clears up the query and Perpignan add to their tally. 24-40.

Glasgow warning

The referee asks captain Stafford McDowall to tidy up defence so there isn’t another yellow card given.

Perpignan penalty

Perpignan press deeper and deeper into Glasgow’s half through a series of errors.

They have a fighting spirit to get a consolation here.

Last 10 minutes

The clock ticks into the final ten minutes and the majority of pressure is coming from Perpignan. They’ve been camped deep in Glasgow’s half for the past few minutes and are winning the penalties too.

Sin bin

Cole Forbes is sent to the sin bin for a high tackle and no wrapping. arms.

Thomas Gordon chip

Glasgow get another break through flanker Thomas Gordon, who tries and chip and chase. With Ollie Smith in support they can’t quite reach the bounce, and the last defender gathers and clears.

Glasgow try

From a break from Jack Dempsey in the middle of the park, Glasgow get their sixth score through full back Josh McKay.

Some lovely offloads and passes, notably Sam Johnson long floating pass over two defnders, in the build up there.

Glasgow try

Matthews delivers the lineout, then takes the ball at the back of the maul. Perpignan are penalised here.

The maul makes five metres, then a quick ball from Dobie to Johnson, to McKay and finally to Ollie Smith who sprints in over the line in the corner for Glasgow’s fifth try.

Glasgow penalty

On halfway Glasgow win a penalty, with Perpignan not releasing.

Possession moving back and forward with both teams forcing errors from their opposition.

Weir lands the visitors just inside Perpignan’s 22 with the kick and another opportunity here for the Warriors to attack the homes side’s line.

Glasgow advance

Josh Mckay takes the Warriors 30 metres with a direct run into a sea of yellow shirts. Bean then carries, but the next move sees Tuilagi steal and clear the ball back into Glasgow’s half.

Perpignan try

Matteo Rodor takes a pass from Posolo Tuilagi then batters his way over the line. That’s the first try of the half. Rodor also converts and cuts the deficit between the two teams.

Perpignan lineout

The hosts win a lineout on Glasgow’s five metre line, but a rushed line out sees them lose possession again and hand Glasgow a penalty.

It’s a simple clearance for Duncan Weir to clear the Warriors’ lines and move into the middle of the park.

Sin bin

Thomas Gordon with a dangerous tackle is sent to the sin bin for ten minutes.

Perpignan penalty

Nathan McBeth gets penalised clearing the ruck off his feet and Perpignan can kick the pressure away.

Glasgow possession

The opening moments of the second  period are dominated by the visitors. Glasgow move through lots of phases with both forwards and backs taking carries off the side of the rucks.

They slowly gain territory in Perpignan’s half, but no gaps have been unpicked yet.

Lineout steal

Lucio Sordoni takes the ball from Perpignan’s long lineout and sends Johnny Matthews on a winding run.

It’s then time for the backs to link up with a lovely pass from Duncan Weir to Jamie Dobie, who’s moved from scrum-half to the wing. Dobie then chips and chases, but the cover is good and Perpignan touchdown for a drop out to clear the pressure once again.

Kick-off

Duncan Weir gets us underway once more!

Half Time

Weir goes for a speculative cross-kick to McKay, but it’s too long and goes into touch.

Still, a solid first half for your Warriors, with the bonus-point in the bag thanks to tries from Sam Johnson, Richie Gray, Stafford McDowall and Johnny Matthews.

Second half coming up!

Glasgow lineout

Matthews finds du Preez this time, before Dobie whips it away from the tail of the maul.

Dempsey is the ever-willing carrier, and Glasgow ending the half on the front foot.

Penalty Glasgow

Too much power from the Glasgow pack, and the penalty is awarded.

Weir will go for touch, but after Sordoni receives some attention from the medics.

Scrum Glasgow

Perpignan can’t hold onto the ball at the lineout, and the scrum is Glasgow’s.

Turnover

What a play by Dobie!

Sawailau collects the grubber kick and is on course for the line, but Forbes says no once more.

Dobie is there like a flash, over the ball and winning the turnover.

The ball is booted to touch on the Glasgow 22.

Perpignan ball

Advantage in hand, Rodor chips and chases well and Perpignan get on the front foot.

Glasgow scramble well, though, with McDowall and Dempsey leading the line.

Perpignan lineout

Dobie finds touch with the box-kick, giving Perpignan a lineout on the Glasgow 10m line.

Conversion successful

The ever-reliable boot of Weir adds the extra two, giving Glasgow a 28-12 advantage.

TRY GLASGOW

Oh he is going to relive that for years!

Johnny Matthews, take a bow – an overthrow from the hosts finds the hooker at the tail, who produces a “sidestep” that wrongfoots half of Perpignan.

He then bounces off the full-back for good measure, diving over for the bonus-point score!

Perpignan lineout

Free-kick to the Warriors and Dobie is off like a shot, finding Johnson in midfield.

McDowall then stabs a smart kick through, pinning the hosts in their own 22.

Scrum Glasgow

Sawailau looks to bounce off Forbes, but the Glasgow man says no.

Great work from Forbes, who then gets back up to support Dempsey in the tackle.

Dobie and Johnson combine to hold their man up, and Glasgow have the scrum on halfway.

Scrum Perpignan

Referee Evans deems the throw not straight, and Perpignan elect to scrum.

Penalty Glasgow

Excellent lineout defence!

Perpignan look to peel, but Euan Ferrie and Smith combine to drive their man into touch.

Glasgow waste no time and Dempsey charges clear, forcing Perpignan to concede the penalty.

Weir finds touch brilliantly on the Perpignan 10m line.

Penalty Perpignan

Playing with advantage, the home pack carries into contact before Rodor goes wide.

McDowall chops down his man and forces the error, so play is brought back for the earlier penalty.

Penalty Perpignan

Dempsey almost frees Smith, but referee Evans penalises Glasgow for a side entry.

Rodor goes to touch inside the Glasgow 22.

Conversion successful

Simple conversion for Weir, and Glasgow have some breathing space.

TRY GLASGOW

It’s the skipper!

The maul is stopped short, but relentless carrying from Neild and Lucio Sordoni hammers away at the defence.

Dobie’s pass is then fizzed across the line to find McDowall, who steps the defender and dives over.

Glasgow ball

Matthews finds Gray and here’s the drive…

Penalty Glasgow

Great hands from Weir, as he feeds the onrushing Forbes moments before taking the hit.

Perpignan are penalised for taking out Dobie, and Weir picks himself up and sticks the kick into the corner.

Glasgow ball

Great footwork from Smith as he beats two defenders and takes play up to halfway, before Dobie hoists the kick high.

Seguela knocks on, and Glasgow have the scrum 35m from the Perpignan line.

Glasgow ball

Good carry from Cameron Neild in midfield, before Dempsey has a barge in the wide channels.

Perpignan ball

The hosts clean up a high ball, but Jack Dempsey mullers his man and forces the return kick.

TRY GLASGOW

No stopping him from there!

The ball is swung wide to Ollie Smith, who fends one tackler and races for the line.

He’s brought down a metre short, but Dobie finds big Richie Gray in support and the big man crashes over!

Weir adds the extras and Glasgow lead once more.

Glasgow ball

Good offload from McDowall to Matthews and the hooker shrugs off two tacklers.

Chance!

Glasgow ball

Freshly back onto the field, Smith is straight into the thick of things, returning the kick well.

Forbes does well in the next phase, before Johnson breaks up the wing.

Try Perpignan

It was close, but the benefit of the doubt goes to the attacker as Seguela is adjudged to have got there just before McKay.

Rodor adds the conversion and the hosts lead 12-7.

TMO review

Perpignan think they’re over for their second try of the night, as Seguela thinks he’s beaten McKay to the bouncing ball.

The officials will review.

Glasgow replacement

Domingo Miotti has picked up an injury, so on comes Duncan Weir at fly-half.

Glasgow ball

Glasgow waste no time in taking the lineout, and Miotti sends McKay into space.

Perpignan turn it over and kick long, but Stafford McDowall is there to tidy up and clear.

Penalty Glasgow

Dobie and Miotti spot the space and look to run from the 22, but Perpignan shut it down well.

The home side are penalised for not releasing in the tackle, though, and Miotti hammers play up to halfway.

Conversion successful

No mistake from Miotti with the conversion, and Glasgow hit the front.

TRY GLASGOW

Just how it was drawn up!

Johnny Matthews finds Richie Gray at the tail, and the Warriors spring into life.

Cole Forbes comes charging through on a short line, before giving the simple ball to Sam Johnson for the try on his return.

Penalty Glasgow

Perpignan scramble clear, but Josh McKay runs the ball back up to the 22 once more.

The home side don’t roll away at the ruck, and referee Craig Evans awards the penalty.

Miotti will take play into the corner.

Glasgow ball

Back come the Warriors straight from the restart, as Jamie Dobie and Domingo Miotti get the play moving inside the 22.

Try Perpignan

Perpignan get the first try of the night – sustained pressure sees the home side go over in the corner.

The conversion drifts wide, leaving the score at 5-0.

Sin Bin - Ollie Smith

Ollie Smith is sent to the bin for a high tackle taking Glasgow down to 14 men

Scrum

Play brought back to a scrum at halfway following a ball off the back from Glasgow

Kick-off

It’s Perpignan who starts tonight’s clash!

Teams out

Both teams are taking to the field with just moments to go until kick-off!

Warrior Nation support!

Huge thanks to the Warrior Nation who have travelled to Perpignan for tonight’s game. We love having you supporting us in the stadium!

15 minutes to go, lets look at the line up

Stafford McDowall will captain the squad for the first time tonight and Euan Ferrie makes his first start for Glasgow

USA Perpignan Team

A reminder of tonight’s opposition and host team, USA Perpignan

30 minutes to go...

Half an hour to go, time to get sorted with some snacks, some drinks and get comfy ahead of the game

When you see it...

The countdown is on

Just under an hour to go until kick-off in Round 3 of the Challenge Cup.

If you want to tune in to watch live you can do so via https://epcrugby.tv/ and purchase a weekend pass.

Watch the match via the EPCR website – https://epcrugby.tv/