“We didn’t take our opportunities” | Smith

After his team experienced a difficult loss in Johannesburg against the Emirates Lions, Franco Smith credited the hosts for how they played with fourteen men.

Four tries in 10 minutes saw the Lions claim a 44-21 victory, a result that knocks Glasgow out of the top two of the BKT URC with one round to play.

“The Lions played extremely well without a full fifteen,” Smith said post-match.

“I think everything went right for the Lions. They played some good rugby and well done to them.

“We have a couple of lessons to learn from tonight.

“We also didn’t take our opportunities when we should’ve done. That was my message to the boys in the changing rooms.

“I take full responsibility for that.”

Although the Warriors didn’t walk away with the result they wanted, Smith emphasised the reflective points that will come out of this game ahead of the knock-out stages in the United Rugby Championship.

“We could’ve been more clinical with our side of things this week,” said the Glasgow Head Coach.

“I think it’s a good lesson for us before we go into the final round.

“We did create opportunities: we came off line breaks strong. Kyle Rowe’s score that was held up was crucial to how the first half played out.

“From a tactical perspective, it didn’t go our way, but that is how it goes sometimes.”

Key stages of the game didn’t necessarily go the away of Glasgow. However, Smith’s side will take the positives and move forward towards Round 18 against Zebre Parma.

“Some of the passages of play, we could’ve done better,” he said.

“Unfortunately, we just didn’t convert everything into points.

“In general, we went a little bit off script tonight.”

Despite the defeat, Glasgow remain in the top four of the URC with knock-out hopes very much alive, with a bonus-point victory over Zebre Parma at Scotstoun in a fortnight now imperative.