The behind closed doors message for URC top-dogs Glasgow Warriors

Glasgow Warriors remain top of the pile in the BKT URC after a weekend that saw a series of crucial clashes between play-off rivals in the Race to the Eight.

The league leaders recorded a 31-10 bonus point victory against Benetton Rugby at Scotstoun as Franco Smith put one over on the team he used to coach.

Glasgow trailed 10-7 at half-time, but then rattled up 21 unanswered points after the break with winger Fergus Watson scoring one of their five tries as he marked his debut with a Player of the Match display.

That’s now 15 wins out of 18 games in all competitions this season for the Scottish side who have a home Investec Champions Cup Ronud of 16 tie against the Vodacom Bulls coming up next weekend.

But head coach Smith insists there is no chance of them getting carried away with their lofty position.

United Rugby Championship

P

W

L

D

PF

PA

PD

BP T

BP-7

BP

Total

1

Glasgow

13

10

3

0

50

2

Stormers

13

10

3

0

46

3

Ulster

13

8

5

0

42

4

Leinster

13

8

5

0

41

5

Cardiff Rugby

13

8

5

0

40

6

Munster

13

8

5

0

39

7

Lions

13

7

5

1

38

8

Bulls

13

7

6

0

35

9

Connacht

13

6

7

0

35

10

Ospreys

13

5

6

2

29

11

Sharks

13

5

7

1

29

12

Benetton

13

5

6

2

28

13

Edinburgh

13

4

9

0

23

14

Scarlets

13

4

8

1

21

15

Dragons RFC

13

2

8

3

20

16

Zebre

13

2

11

0

12

“Fortunately, we had a first half like this which actually humbles you a little bit and makes sure everybody’s feet stays on the floor and that we are very well connected in what we should do and not what we want,” he said.

“That has got to be the message – stop worrying about where we are and how it is and hopefully we can get it done anyway.”

As for what his half-time team-talk had entailed, he said: “We felt we weren’t as confrontational as we were last week and that was addressed.”

Not for the first time this season, Glasgow racked up the points in the second half, so what does Smith put that trend down to?

“It’s belief and trust in the boys and the fact we want to continue to play when the opposition gets a little bit tired, I suppose.

“The more you score points in that part of the game, the more the players believe they must stick in the fight.

“I am proud of the hard work that has gone in from everybody in the club. It’s really coming off. There’s a big end of the season ahead of us now.”