Five things we learned from Glasgow's bonus point win over Zebre

A brace of tries from Huw Jones plus scores from Johnny Matthews, Jamie Dobie and Grant Stewart sealed a comfortable, if unspectacular, win for Franco Smith’s side, who maintained their perfect record against Zebre.  

Jack Dempsey’s midfield incision put the Warriors on the front foot and when Zebre infringed, the Warriors went to the maul and Johnny Matthews drove over for the opening score.  

After a slow start, the opening score kicked Glasgow into action and the URC champions crossed for a second on 17 minutes, Jamie Dobie finishing a well-worked move from Stafford McDowall’s soft hands. Hastings landed both conversions for 14-0.  

Jamie Dobie finished the second try of the match after lovely hands from Stafford McDowall (Image: SNS) Giacomo Da Re got Zebre on the board with a penalty just before the half-hour, and Glasgow had a chance to hit back immediately, but sloppy handling saw the opportunity slip. They weren’t so wasteful a couple of minutes later as Huw Jones finished off the hosts’ third try from close range. 

Jones had an opportunity to free Facundo Cordero on the wing from deep inside Glasgow’s 22 late in the half, but Zebre’s defence shut down the Scotland centre, and by the time the ball made it to the Argentine wing, he had little option but to kick.  

Glasgow dominated the early stages of the second half, but took 13 minutes to find a way through when Scott Cummings deft pass found Jones, who hit a trademark line to score under the posts. Hastings conversion extended the Warriors lead to 28-3.  

Grant Stewart drove over from another dominant maul on the hour to put further distance between the sides.

Three minutes later, Glasgow thought they had a sixth try, but George Horne’s try – which had been given and converted – was chalked off for a knock-on in the build-up by Hastings.  

Zebre battled for a consolation late on as the match petered out, but their score was not forthcoming as Glasgow held on to top the table, at least until Leinster play Munster at Croke Park on Saturday. 

Here are five things we learned from Scotstoun.

Glasgow not in top gear, but still too good  

The Warriors haven’t managed to hit the heights of their URC triumph so far this season, but after scoring a half century in Cardiff last weekend, they were too good for Zebre here.

Three tries in the opening 40 minutes gave Franco Smith’s side a comfortable half-time lead, while a couple more after the break sealed a comfortable win.  

Though frustration persists 

Franco Smith’s side dominated possession and territory but wasted several chances that would have put them well out of sight before they pulled away in the final quarter.  

On another day, the Warriors could rue those missed chances and they will need to up their accuracy.  

Good night for two Scottish forwards  

The two young Glasgow forwards delivered excellent performances here. Brown showed he can be part of the solution to Richie Gray’s departure in the second row, before moving into his preferred back-row berth early in the second half at the expense of Ferrie.  

And while Ferrie missed out on Scotland honours in the summer, he showed his full repetoire of skills tonight as he combined strong carrying with some lovely hands.  

Kyle Rowe a contender for Scotland at fullback 

On the strength of his performances last season, followed up with another solid outing in the number 15 jersey here, Rowe should be in Gregor Townsend’s squad for the Autumn Nations Series.  

Kyle Rowe was a steady deputy for Josh McKay at fullback (Image: SNS)

With Blair Kinghorn unavailable for the opener against Fiji and Harry Paterson making his return from injury for Edinburgh ‘A’ this weekend, he may also be a serious contender to start at fullback against the Fijians in three weeks time.  

Zebre a shadow of the side that beat Munster

Incredibly, Zebre haven't won a league match away from home since 2019 and there was little danger of them changing that appalling record at Scotstoun.

They offered very little in attack, and will have to rely on taking scalps at home if they are to avoid finishing towards the bottom of the table again this season.

Glasgow Warriors: Kyle Rowe, Jamie Dobie (Afshar 62), Huw Jones, Stafford McDowall (captain), Facundo Cordero, Adam Hastings, George Horne; Jamie Bhatti (McBeth 53), Johnny Matthews (Stewart 53), Zander Fagerson (Schickerling 53), Gregor Brown (Venter 62), Scott Cummings (Samuel 70), Euan Ferrie (Williamson 45), Rory Darge, Jack Dempsey 

Tom Jordan 

Tries: Matthews (12), Dobie (17), Jones (32, 52), Stewart (61)  

Conversions: Hastings (13, 18, 33, 53) 

Zebre: Geronimo Prisciantelli, Jacopo Trulla, Fetuli Paea, Scott Gregory (Mazza 66), Simone Gesi, Giacomo Da Re (Cambriani 64), Gonzalo Garcia (Fusco 58); Danilo Fischetti (captain), Giampietro Ribaldi (Bigi 55), Matteo Nocera (Neculai 64), Leonard Krumov, Andrea Zambonin, Giacomo Ferrari (Canali 58), Luca Andreani (Bianchi 45), Giovanni Licata 

Replacements: Samuele Taddei 

Penalty: Da Re (28) 

Drop-goals: 

Referee: Griffin Colby (SARU) 

Attendance: 6,499 

Player of the Match: Huw Jones