United Rugby Championship: Glasgow beats Munster to stay at the top

Glasgow Warriors maintained their place at the top of the United Rugby Championship table with a bonus-point win over Munster in Scotstoun.

Ollie Smith, Dan Lancaster, Jar Oguntepejo and Josh Mackay scored tries to build a commanding 28-5 lead at half-time, with Ethan Coughlan replying for the visitors.

A brilliant try from Dan Kelly gave Munster hope and further scores from Brian Gleeson and Diarmuid Kilgallen put the visitors back six points behind.

Lancaster brought down a late penalty to halt the Munster attack and ensure Glasgow made it nine straight wins in all competitions.

Munster started on the front foot, hitting the Glasgow line but the home side struck with their first attack.

A sweeping move from a deep set launched by Smith, and while he looked like he was destined to be touched by two red shirts, he somehow blocked the ball with an extraordinary finish before being forced out of play.

Fly-half Lancaster was hit by a cracked touchline conversion in windy conditions, and less than a minute later he was turning his effort in front of the posts after intercepting a pass from opposite number Tony Butler.

Munster responded in similar fashion, with Coughlan reading Stafford McDowell’s wide pass to collect and score.

The frenetic pace slowed somewhat, but with a strong wind blowing, the Warriors wanted to extend their lead heading into halftime.

They got to the Munster line and eventually Oguntibeju was able to dive through the crease for a touchdown.

Munster winger Thacker Abrahams has been sent to the bin for a cynical strike to halt a Glasgow attack.

The home side capitalized on their numerical superiority – with Mackay slipping through a wide gap to try for a bonus point.

Angus Fraser and Seb Steffen both crossed for Glasgow, but both were disallowed after TMO interventions – Fraser was ruled to have been suspended, and Steffen’s stunning solo effort was disallowed for an earlier knockdown by Ben Afshar.

Kelly conjured up a stunning goal of his own that really counts. The Munster center broke through a quick move in the first phase from inside his own half and showed great pace to burn the cover defense from the outside to score.

For the first time in the contest, the Warriors were wobbly and when they fouled a lineup close to their 22, Gleason’s first reaction was to rally and race wide to score.

The pendulum had swung towards the Irish side and when Kilgallen crossed for his fourth attempt, it was a six-point game.

In a rare move for Glasgow, Lancaster hit a three-pointer to calm nerves around Scotstoun and ensure the Warriors’ victory.