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Glasgow Warriors hooker Johnny Matthews crosses for his fifth try against Dragons RFC in the EPCR Challenge Cup Round of 16
Glasgow Warriors will be looking to avenge their only loss in the last four months when they welcome Emirates Lions to the Scotstoun Stadium in the EPCR Challenge Cup quarter-finals on Saturday.
The South African side defeated Glasgow 35-24 in a rearranged BKT United Rugby Championship match in Johannesburg on February 25, but the Warriors were missing their Scotland players, who were on Six Nations duty.
Glasgow have not lost at home all season, although Bath Rugby took them to the wire in Round 4 with a 19-19 draw in Pool A, which ruined their 100% pool stage record.
However, they recovered in superb style last weekend, when they hammered Dragons RFC 73-33 in the Round of 16 at Scotstoun.
Emirates Lions, who finished third in Pool B after winning two and drawing one of their games, also notched a famous victory last weekend, routing Racing 92 51-28 at Emirates Airline Park.
The clubs’ first EPCR Challenge Cup encounter kicks off at 20:00 UK and Irish time, and can be viewed on BT Sport, beIN SPORTS, SuperSport and FloRugby.
That Lions mentality 💪
14 men for 60 minutes, @LionsRugbyCo put on a big display on Saturday 👏#ChallengeCupRugby pic.twitter.com/3gzZjf7VwN
— EPCR Challenge Cup (@ChallengeCup_) April 4, 2023
Key quotes
Glasgow Warriors head coach Franco Smith: “We are facing a team that got the better of us last time out, so they are definitely the favourites by a long shot.”
Emirates Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen: “To get into the quarter-final in any European competition it would be foolish not to take your strongest team possible. We have to look at Emmanuel Tshituka’s red card, but apart from that it should be a clean bill of health.”
Glasgow Warriors
- Johnny Matthews became only the ninth player in EPCR Challenge Cup history to score five tries in a game, against Dragons last weekend, and is now joint top try-scorer in the competition this season.
- Rory Darge beat seven defenders in the Round of 16 – more than any forward has achieved in an EPCR Challenge Cup game this term.
- Kyle Steyn made a round-high five clean breaks against Dragons.
Emirates Lions
- Marius Louw has made four try assists in the competition so far – the most of any player who isn’t a half-back.
- Emmanuel Tshituka has made more dominant carry contacts than any other player (18).
- Emirates Lions have been the most efficient side in the red zone in the tournament, having been awarded a penalty or a try on 76% of their visits to the opposing 22.
Jack Dempsey dots down for Glasgow's first try against Emirates Lions
Glasgow Warriors clinched a first ever EPCR semi-final as they triumphed 31-21 over Emirates Lions in the EPCR Challenge Cup at Scotstoun Stadium on Saturday night.
Jack Dempsey, Jamie Dobie, Zander Fagerson and Tom Jordan crossed for the Scottish region, with George Horne contributing 11 points from the tee.
Lions were on top for large spells but struggled to make their pressure count, Sanele Nohamba, Francke Horn and Morne Brandon crossing for the South African outfit as their debut EPCR campaign came to an end.
Glasgow were in charge early on and opened the scoring on nine minutes as No.8 Dempsey crashed over courtesy of a slick lineout move.
Training ground move, executed to perfection 🤩
Jack Dempsey at pace for @GlasgowWarriors’ first try 🔥
Watch live on @btsportrugby, @SuperSportTV, @beinsports_FR and @FloRugby 📺#ChallengeCupRugby pic.twitter.com/imWxaG62b5
— EPCR Challenge Cup (@ChallengeCup_) April 8, 2023
The hosts’ second score was equally well-worked, with centre Huw Jones and full-back Ollie Smith producing some brilliant, fast hands to release wing Dobie down the left.
Lions grew into the game over the remainder of the first half but failed to convert their pressure and territory into points – scrum-half Nohamba saw a score ruled out for a double movement deep into overtime.
But Nohamba wasn’t to be denied at the start of the second half – more Emirates Lions pressure culminated in a penalty five metres out, which he took quickly before shooting over the whitewash.
Lions roar first in the second half 🦁
A sneaky tap and go from Nohamba to pounce out of nowhere, @LionsRugbyCo are back in this match 💪#ChallengeCupRugby pic.twitter.com/ReYq6rgFW5
— EPCR Challenge Cup (@ChallengeCup_) April 8, 2023
Glasgow hit back on 48 minutes, though, as prop Fagerson crossed from close range and their robust defence looked set to close the game out, with Emirates Lions lacking a clinical edge.
However, the travelling outfit finally notched a second try on 64 minutes courtesy of a superb finish from No.8 Horn, setting up a tense final quarter of an hour.
But a Horne penalty and a try from replacement back Jordan on 73 minutes widened the margin further, with a score from Emirates Lions replacement hooker Brandon coming too little too late.
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