URC: Johnny Matthews’ double helps Glasgow Warriors avoid Zebre clash: Planet Rugby

Glasgow Warriors survived a major scare against Zebre Parma before pulling away to seal a 38-26 victory over the United Rugby Championship’s bottom side.

Johnny Matthews scored two tries on the night, putting Glasgow in second place before the Bulls and Munster play their final game on Saturday.

The Warriors were already assured of a top-four finish, but their bid to qualify for the play-offs on a high was in jeopardy for much of the evening as the spirited Italians led until the 66th minute before run out of steam in the final stages.

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Glasgow welcomed Scotland internationals Richie Gray and Huw Jones into their starting XV for the first time since they were injured during the Six Nations.

The hosts got off to a good start and took the lead in the third minute when prop Jamie Bhatti scored following a lineout maul. Veteran opener Duncan Weir, on his 150th appearance, added the extras.

Zebre, however, reduced their deficit to a single point, thanks to a few penalties from Giovanni Montemauri in the 13th and 24th minutes.

The hosts increased their lead in the 32nd minute, however, as hooker Matthews touched down for his 14th try of the season – his 13th in the URC – after another lineout maul. Weir was off target with the conversion.

Zebre finished the first half strong. In the 38th minute, full-back Jacopo Trulla sent a penalty just inside his own half, flying between the posts.

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And in the final action of the first half, the Italians took the lead with a scintillating try as excellent play from Trulla and Pierre Bruno created an opening for Montemauri to head down the right. Montemauri converted to give Zebre a surprise 16-12 lead at the break.

Glasgow regained the initiative two minutes after the break, however, when Rowe scored after excellent play from Sione Tuipulotu to clear him. Weir was again unable to add the conversion.

But Zebre regained the lead in the 50th minute when Bautista Stavile intercepted a pass from Rory Darge and rushed over, with Montemauri again on point from the start.

The topsy-turvy nature of the match continued on the hour mark when Sebastian Cancelliere burst down the right to complete a fine flowing Glasgow build-up, with substitute George Horne converting.

But the visitors regained the lead two minutes later thanks to another perfectly struck penalty from Montemauri.

Glasgow eventually managed to take control in the closing stages, with tries from Matthews and substitute Tom Jordan – both converted by Horne – taking the game away from the Italians.

The teams

Glasgow Warriors: 15 Kyle Rowe, 14 Facundo Cordero, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Sione Tuipulotu (c), 11 Sebastian Cancelliere, 10 Duncan Weir, 9 Jamie Dobie, 8 Jack Dempsey, 7 Rory Darge, 6 Matt Fagerson, 5 Richie Gray, 4 Max Williamson , 3 Zander Fagerson, 2 Johnny Matthews, 1 Jamie Bhatti
Substitutes: 16 Gregor Hiddleston, 17 Nathan McBeth, 18 Oli Kebble, 19 Scott Cummings, 20 Euan Ferrie, 21 George Horne, 22 Ross Thompson, 23 Tom Jordan

Zebra: 15 Jacopo Trulla, 14 Pierre Bruno, 13 Luca Morisi (c), 12 Damiano Mazza, 11 Simone Gesi, 10 Giovanni Montemauri, 9 Alessandro Fusco, 8 Davide Ruggeri, 7 Bautista Stavile, 6 Giacomo Ferrari, 5 Leonard Krumov, 4 Matteo Canali , 3 Muhamed Hasa, 2 Giampietro Ribaldi, 1 Danilo Fischetti
Substitutes: 16 Tommaso Di Bartolomeo, 17 Alessio Sanavia, 18 Riccardo Genovese, 19 David Sisi, 20 Taina Fox-Matamua, 21 Ratko Jelic, 22 Tiff Eden, 23 Fetuli Paea

Arbitrator: Pierre Martin (Irfu)
Assistant referees: Hollie Davidson (SRU), Michael Todd (SRU)
TMO: Olly Hodges (IRFU)

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