Glasgow Warriors warm up for trip in style

By Bryn Palmer

Glasgow ………33

Zebre ……………… 3

Defending champions Glasgow warmed up for their return to South Africa next week with a third successive bonus-point victory.

Warriors have yet to win a regular-season game in the Republic but having upset the Bulls in Pretoria in the final last season, will take on Sharks in Durban and Stormers in Cape Town buoyed by a five-try win at Scotstoun.

Three weeks out from the autumn Tests, Scotland No.8 Jack Dempsey and prop Zander Fagerson were in dominant carrying form, locks Scott Cummings and Gregor Brown both excelled while Huw Jones produced two predatory finishes.

“They are all playing well and making full use of their opportunities,” said head coach Franco Smith.

After a scrappy opening, hooker Johnny Matthews finished off a rolling maul for his 11th try in five games against Zebre before Jamie Dobie crossed after a flowing move begun by Jones and featuring slick hands from George Horne, Kyle Rowe and Stafford McDowall.

Giacomo Da Re got Zebre on the board with a penalty but relentless pressure from Warriors saw Jones finish off the third after Fagerson was held short. Adam Hastings converted all three for a 21-3 interval lead and the bonus point arrived after 52 minutes when a superb Horne pass and soft hands from Cummings put Jones over.

Replacement hooker Grant Stewart grabbed a fifth try on the hour from another lineout maul and Horne had a further score ruled out for an earlier knock-on.

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