Glasgow Warriors 43-19 Leicester Tigers

Glasgow Warriors powered into the Investec Champions Cup quarter-finals in style this evening, running in six tries to claim a 43-19 victory over Leicester Tigers.

A brace of tries apiece from Henco Venter – in a Player of the Match-winning display – and Sione Vailanu set the Warriors on their way, Adam Hastings and George Horne also crossing the whitewash for the hosts.

With a sold-out Scotstoun in full voice, it was the visitors who in fact made the perfect start. Whilst a close-range maul was stopped by the men in black, Franco Smith’s men were powerless to prevent Olly Cracknell from touching down to open the scoring. Handre Pollard’s conversion attempt drifted wide, but the Tigers led 5-0 with just three minutes on the clock.

Glasgow’s response was swift and deliberate, as the home side set about establishing themselves in Leicester territory. Relentless pressure inside the Tigers half first saw Jack van Poortvliet sent to the sin bin for a deliberate knock-on, before the Warriors struck for their first score of the night with 14 minutes gone. It was Venter that provided the finishing touch, collecting a loose ball and driving through three defenders to crash over next to the posts. Adam Hastings added the extras, giving the hosts a 7-5 lead.

The Warriors weren’t in the mood to hang around and dwell on their opening try, and just five minutes later the Warrior Nation were on their feet once more. Led by Zander Fagerson and Nathan McBeth, the Glasgow pack produced a demolition job on their counterparts to win a five-metre scrum against the head, from which platform Vailanu had far too much power to be stopped. Hastings once more obliged with the conversion, and the Warriors led 14-5 at the end of a frenetic opening quarter.

A penalty from Hastings with the clock in the red would be the only further scoring in the opening stanza, yet with Cameron Henderson in the sin-bin after repeated Leicester infringements, the Warriors wasted no time at the start of the second period. Having forced Leicester to carry over their own try-line straight from the restart, Venter’s thundering charge from the base of the scrum splintered the Tigers defence and allowed Vailanu to gleefully pick up and dive over for Glasgow’s third try of the night. Hastings converted, and the Warriors were just getting started.

The fourth try arrived as Henderson prepared to return to the field, as slick handling from a lineout on the Leicester 22 saw the ball whipped wide to Kyle Steyn, whose powerful carry took play to within five metres. Horne’s alertness at the base allowed the scrum-half to spot Hastings on the short line, the fly-half duly diving over for his second try in as many games before adding the extras for a 31-5 lead.

No sooner had the Warrior Nation re-taken their seats than they were on their feet once more to celebrate Glasgow’s fifth try. Hastings this time proved the catalyst, delaying his pass to perfection to send Kyle Rowe through the gap and racing into open space. The full-back barely had to look to know that the ever-present figure of Horne was on his shoulder, sending the scrum-half scampering over from 30 metres and under the posts. Hastings made no mistake with his simplest kick of the evening, and the home side led 38-5 with half an hour to play.

The Tigers knew that any hope of a comeback depended upon the next score being theirs, and they responded in kind with 56 minutes gone. Kata was eventually the man to breach the defensive line, the Tongan centre finding space after relentless pressure in the Glasgow 22 to dive over next to the uprights. Pollard added the conversion, as the visitors looked to capitalise on their momentum.

Still the Tigers searched for a further foothold, with Pollard picking off an intercept on his own 22 and setting course for the line. Yet the Glasgow defence refused to give in, Rowe hounding the South African fly-half into kicking into space, before Grant Stewart and Sebastian Cancelliere combined to deny Kelly out wide after scrambling back fully 70 metres.

Leicester did eventually find their way through with 13 minutes to play, as captain Hanro Liebenberg powered over from close range to narrow the gap once more. Pollard converted, taking the score to 38-19 in favour of the hosts.

Yet once more, Smith’s side set about re-establishing themselves on the front foot. Steyn’s break and offload was a fingertip away from sending Horne over for his second, but there was no stopping the Warriors with five minutes to play. Dobie’s looping ball found the onrushing Venter, the East Stand celebrating almost before the back-rower grounded the ball for the try. Hastings hit the upright to end his perfect run from the tee, but with a 43-19 advantage, the home crowd were in no mood to mind.

One final attack from the visitors was repelled by those in black, the final whistle sounding to a chorus of cheers from the capacity crowd. Dublin now awaits for Smith’s squad, as a last-eight date with Leinster looms into view this Friday.

We will travel to Dublin for the @ChampionsCup Quarter Finals.

Information regarding our ticket allocation to follow. pic.twitter.com/46rhD3j2Wx

— Glasgow Warriors (@GlasgowWarriors) April 5, 2025