Connacht v Glasgow Warriors Pro 12 Rugby

It is the final league match of the Pro12 season, and defending

champions Glasgow are in Galway for a winner takes all clash. To victors

a home semifinal in the play-offs and that could prove crucial if

Warriors are to defend their title. I coming up it is Connacht against

Glasgow. Good to have you with us. Connacht have been the form team of

the season so far, Glasgow are getting thing right at the right

time. They have won nine games in a row, can they make it ten? And

guarantee that home semifinal. Andy Nicol is with us as always. What a

way Glasgow have turned round their season but this Connacht side have

been fantastic Half way through the season, I thought they were the best

team I had seen live. They were good at, we covered the game at

Murrayfield and the style of rugby they have been playing has been

fantastic, they have stumbled in the last few weeks, conversely Glasgow

have got their game going, so it is an interesting match up today. And

for Glasgow's point of view the home semifinal is key. No team has

visiting team has won a semifinal away from home, so hugely important

but it is a tough one for Glasgow travelling to Galway. Yes, the

sporting ground was a tough place to go. They have been playing well. It

is a place they will go today, with such confidence going through their

veins. They have qualified. Glasgow and Connacht are the only two teams

guaranteed in the play-offs so Gregor there will be delighted to

what has happened in the last few weeks. It has not just been about

the stars it is about the squad players. 12 changes last week

against Zebre. It is more like a first team back today. They will go

all out to get the home semifinal. We saw Pat Lam there. Connacht have

been the side, they are whipping boys of Irish rugby, they have been

a different side this season. He has recruited well but he has them

playing in a great style of rugby. Their offloading game was

outstanding and Bundee Aki and Robbie Henshaw, that is a good a

centre partnership as there is in the league. They have played

fantastic, they have come under the radar they didn't lose many players

in the World Cup. Henshaw was about the only one. They have managed to

have that continuity. They have kept that momentum going. They have just

stumbled in the last few weeks. They lost away at Treviso, which you

never thought would happen. Their confidence maybe at the other levels

to Glasgow's. A huge game for both today, but also a huge game for

everyone. All the games are on at 3.00, on the Pro12, and pretty much

every one means something. We have talked about Connacht Glasgow.

Edinburgh have an outside chance of getting into the champion's cup.

Leinster, then the Munster Scarlet, Ospreys Ulster, they will have a big

say in who gets the fourth spot and who gets in the champion's cup.

Zebre Newport, it doesn't look it has anything on it. If Zebre win

they get the champion's cup spot. So all six games have a lot of things

riding, which is brilliant for the league to go to the last weekend. We

expect Treviso to lose because they are playing Leinster. Let talks

about Glasgow's season. They had 20 players away for the World Cup

earlier on, round about Christmas time we thought the wheels have come

off the bogey here. They did. Look at this. There is Toulouse -- to

lose to Edinburgh was bad enough, that second game which was at

Murrayfield because they were under water. I thought they were going to

struggle. They drew with Ospreys when they should have won. They lost

that game over in Ulster, which again was at the start of the Six

Nations, you thought at that time we could the league table here. Glasgow

were in eighth spot. You thought they had no chance. They were 14

points away I from a play off position. I spoke to degree gore

Townsend, I said what are the chances of play off? He said I

reckon we have, we have to win eight out of ten remaining to get into the

play-offs. I said what about home semi, he said we have to go ten out

of ten but that is unlikely. Here we are today. They are nine from nine.

The run they have within on is fantastic. The victories have have

been brilliant. There have been some tough games. The game Gregor said

was that 12-6 win at home in the middle of the Six Nations, all kicks

against Leinster, that set it up. They got the win against Ulster

which was important. The two games against the Italians you would

expect but the performance at park Scarlets against a side Scarlets who

were sitting third in the league. That was a huge statement of intent,

that the whole, the whole league looked at them and we are the 70

point victory last week, so that nine game losing they have gone from

eighth leading the Pro12. It has been a phenomenal run of results a,

and it is not just about the star players coming back after the Six

Nations, it is about the squad players, really setting the tone and

making it hard for the Scotland players to come back. It has been a

huge effort. Sorry, it really has been a fantastic effort from all the

squad. Let us hear now from Gregor Townsend. He has been fantastic.

Winner last season, hoping to be winners again. He spoke earlier to

Phil. On day when you need a calculator

and abacus to work out the top four placings, for Glasgow it is simple,

a win and you have a home semifinal. That is right. We are hoping to come

away with a win. We realise if we don't get the win, then an away

semifinal is going to be much tougher. You said naming your team

today is the toughest job you have had all season, an indication of the

form they are showing at the moment. Absolutely, since the Six Nations we

played really well, in part defensively, in parts attack, but

there has ban growing confidence and momentum and this week to leave out

players who played so well last week was very difficult, very difficult

for them, and makes the job of the players that do get the privilege to

play tonight and important one. We are getting used to Glasgow being in

in situation, does that experience of making semifinals over the last

few years help you in your job today? We will see. We have loved

playing at this time of the year, we have a couple of semifinals we

didn't win and a couple we have won, today we are treating this as a

quarterfinal. This is such a big game for us and it will be knock out

rugby, if you can get that home semifinal, it will be a huge

advantage. If you look at the two teams on the pitch, this is almost

the story of the Pro12, Glasgow coming from eighth and getting into

the play-offs and Connacht who have been on the summit or near the whole

of the season. Connacht are the story of this year's Pro12. They

have played positive rugby, they have got a few players into the

Ireland team by the way they are playing and they have been

consistent. They have played a lot of games, an outstanding effort in

Glenn noble so we have looked forward to this game. We know they

are tough. They play positive rugby, well coached and have an excellent

home record. It I will be tough for us. Yes, saying that Connacht have

been the story of the Pro12. He will hope that Glasgow are the stories

they will hope they will defend their title and they played

fantastic rugby and entertaining rugby, we see a lot, but dominant

rugby, and they are won games when they haven't played well N the

second half of the season That is what you have do in a league

campaign. You have to win ugly, but there is a few wins here, this was

against the Dragons, in the off week, to Strauss came back and it

was a great offload. But so important to win these games when

you are getting players back, this is home against Cardiff, in the

middle of the Six Nations, Facebook comes back -- Fraser Brown, he comes

in and gets a try, so really important, but this, this for a

game, Rory Clegg, 4-12 victory. He knocks over that crucial penalty

they got the win against the top rival and against Ulster, when some

of the big names back. Finn Russell. He went in, you could see, the

ground was packed. Exciting tries so the big name came to the party. I

said in the Six Nations, the Scotland players coming back, Stuart

Hall, this try is reminiscent to that try in Dublin when he scored

against Ireland. Look at the pace, the footwork, you have players like

that, Stuart Hogg who everyone knows about. It is players like Rory Clegg

who have made the difference, look at this play. Pat McCarthy has been

involved. There is tarry Ray, names we have not said much about.

Nakarawa does what he does. There is MacArthur and Bryce. An outstanding

team try. In the last nine games they have averaged 34 points and

five try, you heard Gregor saying they like playing in this weather,

the score tells us you are not going to lose many. Connacht are a team

who have dangerous. They have upset and scared a lot of teams. I was so

impressed. This was against the Warriors at the start of the year.

Look at that scrum. Dominance, and they are going for a try. It was one

of those ones you never thought that the Glasgow should win this game at

the start. They were so dominant. Look at the scrum. The key point is

Dennis Buckler is not fit, he is injured and that could be a big

difference, Bundee Aki has been outstanding. It is another try for

Pulman for Connacht. This was against Edinburgh, this is when I

was so impressed Marmion who does a wrap round, a lot the game goes

through him. He is a good player. Pulls the shots well. You can see,

he gets in behind him. It was a high tackle and they got a point from it.

This is Bundee Aki who I have been impressed with all season. Lots of

phases that Connacht are going through, they put Edinburgh to the

sword there that night. Playing fantastic rugby. This was Leinster

in their heyday, they would have been impressed. That is AJ MacGinty

going through, recycling it, close to the line. Edinburgh are trying to

pressure rite but Connacht, they don't lose their composure, they

keep it there and it comes to Bundee Aki and he gets it. You could argue

the defence was... But that is what Connacht can do, that is why I think

that Glasgow, we have talked about their attacking game and it has been

outstanding their defence has been good. It will be tested so it has to

be bang on. What will be key in terms of Glasgow's performance,

because we have seen the big player, they are back in today, all the guys

are on show there. The squad will be hugely important, but this connacts

side are dangerous. They can do great thing, they with win games.

The weather is a factor, we saw in an interview with Greg there, there

is rain. There was water on his top. That will be a different style of

rugby. Last Friday, it was a beautiful night. They are offloading

game. That puts pressure on the off loadling game but they have the

ability to do it. I come back to the confidence. Their confidence is

flying at the moment, so they have to go out and harness that, and the

half-backs, Ali Price and fin Russell who is coming on the a game

beautifully, go out there and make Glasgow play in the right parts of

the field so they can control and dominate the game. If they do, I

can't see them having a problem. They are too much for Connacht. That

will hopefully set up for a home semifinal. It will be intriguing.

Glasgow have to get a win, it is a home semifinal in a cup's week time.

Fingers crossed in the studio and the dressing room. They have

prepared all season. They are nine in a row, up against ten. These are

special days at The sports ground. It might a there a a safety net

already with qualification for the semifinals guaranteed but one look

at the team sheets provides ample evidence there is evidence to play

for. Home advantage in the semis and that entails. You couldn't make it

up as we have heard from Dougie and Andy, some weeks ago Glasgow in

eighth position have hauled themselves to the top of the league

and being led out by the skipper, Joking. Skipper, Joking Jonny Gray.

As you can see the weather conditions are wet and windy. Almost

always wet and windy at The sports ground, but both teams declaring

their intent and both teams set on home ties if they can get them. All

changed in the front row. Jonny Gray comes in. A big change in the back

three. Replaced by Peter Horne. And a big

day for some of the Connacht players.

In particular Marmion and O'Halloran playing for the 100th time. Leading

the team out. And as Andy said, Kieran Marmion is a key player.

It defends its line fantastically well, they famously this season

defended a 7- 0/2-time lead against Leinster here. -- 7-0 half-time

lead. John Muldoon is a hugely influential figure, not just for his

historical record. No one has played influential figure, not just for his

ball games or more minutes of this competition but it is a Connacht

side that have lost three of the last four. John Muldoon the captain

comes in. Bundee Aki is a key figure, as is Matt Healy on the

wing, with nine tries, he is the competition's top scorer. The

centres will also be key figures. Glasgow already in their positions

in the dark strips. Connacht and the famous green jerseys. And it is all

very easy to say that the decision has been taken that they are in the

semifinals, but it is the home tie that is key now. There are the

replacement benches. Glasgow, if anything, stronger, showing the

depth in the squad. So many players there who could justifiably command

a starting line-up place, and even players who are not there, like

Duncan Weir, who has scored ten kicks. How many times, John Beattie,

has a player scored ten kicks and then not featured in the next game?

The dream is that everybody wants a home semifinal in a couple of weeks.

It is about conditioning, team plan, the weather and it is fundamentally

about set piece and half-backs on a day like today. It has been wet but

this is really exciting stuff, this is what you dream of watching and

playing in. It is virtually a cup final. Glasgow are playing from

right to left. The home team has the ball for the kick-off. Stand-by,

because anything could happen in the next 80 minutes. And there will be

one very big decision at the end of it all. The early exchanges as ever,

the players adapt to the conditions. And guess who? It is Nakarawa with

the first break. Glasgow moving it quickly. Russell with the little

chip over the back. Taken by Tiernan O'Halloran. Swamped immediately.

Clear intent here from Glasgow and the first penalty, they couldn't

have asked for a better start. That is fantastic because that looked

like some standard exit strategy, starting the Rock in your own 22 and

then the sneaky peek and go. Nakarawa is in the middle of a ruck,

nobody behind it, he picks and goes. Good support and Finn Russell has

his brain in gear, looks up once the ball comes back and eventually they

grab a player and a penalty. So in the blink of an eye, from your own

22, sneaky peak and go, other end of the pitch and going for points. The

issue will be to go for points because every single point getting

ahead and keeping the scoreboard ticking over is going to be key in a

match like this. The first chance like this for Finn Russell.

Less than two minutes in. He has drifted that one wide. Well but has

to go down as a chance missed. Yes, he was kicking into the wind, he

chucked the grass up and the win came back at him. Not much

territorial to be made by kicking for territory in this first half and

he was looking to bend that right-to-left. Straight from the

training field, someone spotted that Connacht defend wide from some

rocks. They will therefore tighten their defence. And already an

injury. Finlay Bealham, who has played all 20 matches for Connacht

this season, he has lasted less than three minutes. So that is a key

interruption to the Connacht game plan. I suspect Rodney Ah You will

come on. Glasgow again sharp at the breakdown.

Again, Glasgow, plenty of adventure. Patients. Very quick blitz defence

from Connacht, they will note that. Ali Price has seen the gap they left

behind them and they have to go back. Quickly turning the mandate

has not found touch via long way. An awkward bounce. Difficult ball. Goes

down has to get up quickly. The Connacht crowd as ever piling. That

is a great defensive role, players getting back to support their

player. Hugely awkward bounce of the ball to get ten or 20 metres back in

the opposite direction. Again, the Glasgow defensive line-up working

well. Nakarawa directing the traffic. Ali Price digs. This time

they have been robbed. Bundee Aki and furious with himself, who saw

the chance. This is a key figure for the Connacht side, they are

delighted to get him back because they know they need him. Yes, he is

a big strong centre. They have still to keep the ball, Connacht. To be

fair, he was tackler. Let's be neutral, the tackler gets first

dibs, but maybe the ruck had been created beyond him. A lot of stuff

you are watching is straight off the Gregor Townsend playlist. One thing

we are looking for is conditioning. If that is another prop gone from

Connacht, the scrums, they were destroyed last time out, Glasgow, if

they can get parity in the scrums and use the wind in the second half.

MacArthur is the only one on the starting roster for Connacht this

time from the previous meeting. Glasgow will have formed the team

plan around that, no doubt. Gregor Townsend regards this as one of his

most difficult team decisions of the year. But anyone looking at this

team will see this is a top, top Glasgow line-up. And they are very

patient with this. They have been told by Ian Davies that this is

their last movement. Connacht doing their best to disrupt it. Glasgow

have a penalty coming. They are piling in. Connacht don't like that

but again, good discipline. They don't like it but they have got to

lump it. The Warriors will be cute, away from home, into the wind up

against a team that is really desperate to win it. Maul, maul. The

only reason that ball stopped was a Connacht player coming in offside.

Ryan Wilson, the scrum-half. And the cake has failed to find touch by

Finn Russell. We will have another look at it. And again, the wind

playing havoc. He misjudged it, he has put it beyond the goal line. He

wrote be happy with that but it is always difficult playing conditions,

it seems. What they like doing, they try to play into the wind, just

where the camera angle is, they play right to left and second car, you

play with the wind. So second half, if they can hang on, use it. That is

what they are playing for. The crowd know that is what Connacht did when

they famously defended 7-0 against Leinster and 17-6 in a quite

phenomenal defensive performance. -- won 7-6. Looking solid, a second

shot on. Connacht have it. Plenty of adventure but a slack pass at the

end. Here is the key danger man, Adeolokun. Well wrapped up this

time, though. They take the aerial route. Difficult ball for Stuart

Hogg, juggled it a bit but again, the dancing shoes are wrong.

Ali Price just about. Russell floats it to hardly unknown to Peter Horne.

Glasgow moving the ball. And again, Nakarawa.

Too quick for Strauss, even. They have done that twice, they have got

into wide positions with the poor backpass as the last option but this

last one ends up, Stuart Hogg has pulled in behind Strauss and his

straightens up and runs into Strauss. Strauss is being half held

but it is accidental offside. Strauss could have cut back in and

let Hogg go wide. But it is all Warriors, isn't it? It is all their

possession. Stuart Hogg, possibly the most potent of Glasgow's

weapons, if we keep Nakarawa out of the equation for the moment.

The service isn't that bad. It is greasy on top. -- surface. If you

were Gordon Reid, you would be making sure that in the last scrum,

Rodney Ah You's knee was down. Ten minutes almost on the clock, no

score. Connacht in the green from left to right. Glasgow with most of

the ball for the ten minutes. Good possession. Good territory. One

missed kick from Finn Russell, just two minutes into the game. If

nothing else, it has given him an indication of where the difficulty

is with the kicking. This time, Glasgow have them on the back foot

but Connacht get it away. Switching it back inside. They are a bit thin

in the middle, Connacht. Glasgow piling in but piling in when they

choose to pile it in. You can see the work that has been done on the

training field, Ali Price, scrum-half, chasing across to

prevent the little clip at the back. Again, the aerial route. A well worn

tactic at the Sports Ground. Almost runs into Nakarawa, it is not easy

to run around him. Bounces off a tackle or two. Glasgow again, a

whole raft of men on the left-hand side.

Ali Price... Bleeding-heart. Again, they try this left-hand side. Peter

Horne. Seems to be one of Gregor Townsend's go to mend when the big

games are on. He has the guile to unlock the tight defences. Russell

gets away. This time, they have it.

Interception, Tommy Seymour. So mistakes being made. To be fair, it

is not exactly mistakes. This time it is Nakarawa on the charge.

Nakarawa, turns inside past Henshaw. This time Glasgow have meant to the

left. And this time it is a mistake. Gordon Reid just fractionally

misread the pass, behind him. That was an opportunity, John, fantastic

opportunity the Glasgow. What a brilliant game. The impressive bit

to me about the Warriors always is that when their pattern breaks down,

their players just come good, because I think Ali Price rescued

this again, there had been a turnover, Seymour got the ball when

he read a Connacht pass and the Warriors went on to the attack and

Nakarawa, he is off. He is going to be a big loss, he has been

fantastic, but this ability to turn them over and come back at a patent

is good stuff. Glasgow haven't got any points on

the board, you can see the confidence in thing, you can tell

the weather has had an effect, they are getting the ball out wide. If

they had been a Tommy Seymour or Lee Jones it would have been a try, not

with Gordon Reid there. There is an intensity. It has a feel about how

important the game is. It is like a semifinal already, and you can see

there is a good intensity about it but Glasgow are in control, they

need to get that control converted into points now.

Well, there is, that is bad news for Glasgow. Because that is Dunbar who

is a key figure, he has a heavily strapped left knee, there could be

the problem. Yes, the good thing is Mark Ben gets another chance.

Bennett lost his place, you know I think he can be brilliant,

occasionally, occasionally doesn't play to the expectation, but that is

quality playering on, the beauty is you know you have been dropped, I

will show you. Too small players. Bennett is the kind of slightly more

classy one. He would like that. This is how it broke down. This, there is

Dunbar going down, there, that is where the injury took place. Just in

that tackle. You can see immediately he was in trouble.

So, Dunbar has gone, unfortunately his day is done.

Marmion. Feeds, Glasgow again getting the

shove. I would say they have the up irhand without undually exerting

themselves. Testing the Connacht pack. This time they have to take

the get out option. There is an indication that Glasgow, if they

don't have the upper hand they are not under any great pressure in the

pack. You can do a degree course and Pat Lam is a good coach. The way you

really annoy a team away from home is take them on at bits they think

they are good at like scrummaging, if the wariers can get Connacht

creep back a couple of inches, that is good. You start making them

doubt, as you said before, they lost three of the last four games, the

Warriors have won nine on the trot. They have to be confident. Just a

bit of a wobble for Connacht they wouldn't have liked, coming into

this stage of the game. These matches now are... A fold round.

That blitz defence again, and Glasgow will have worked that out,

because we know they do a lot of video analysis. Same pattern, they

have tried that three times now, they get to the wide area, that pull

behind there is the dummy run, Finn Russell was read. The fly up

defender read rustle and it will be Connacht ball. At some point. It

might be Warriors's ball. Knock-on the tackle. They will look for an

interception or... Quick thinking. Is what it is all about. The crowd

for once beginning to sing. That is a dog track isn't it. The

sand is a dog track and Phil texted me earlier on to say there is a dog

race meet on tonight. After this game. Well, I think that is one of

the implications for the semifinals, that if Connacht do get a home

match, they would have to play, I think I am right on a Saturday

because there is a dog race on the Friday night.

Not exactly a problem that Scotstoun has very often.

I would love to say that was a straight foot in by Ali Price. A

good solid scrum. That is a good solid scrum. A chip by Russell. That

has fallen nicely for Glasgow again, as they cut inside. Keep the ball

moving. It is that man Peter Horne looking for, leans into this space

and this time Lee Jones. Up ended Ali Price again, and Glasgow,

looking for the breakthrough. It is that pattern, the pattern, the long

pass picks out the middle man of three. Price. Again they go. Welcome

to Galway. Price goes left, right, he is

looking for just, thought he might have been looking for a drop goal,

but into the wind it wouldn't be a good option. Again Connacht have

robbed them. Ian Davies has given them the advantage and called it.

Again, this bounce, this time it falls nicely for Hogg. Russell takes

a look. They all come up. This bounce, look at the bounce. Just

putting Connacht on the back foot. That was a good option, this could

be trouble trouble for Connacht. O'Halloran may not have taken the

best decision there but they have got away with it. Again, another

kind bounce for Stuart Hogg. He takes it on himself with the dancing

feet. He is caught, he has to be careful he doesn't hang on to it.

The Connacht crowd were screaming for that. That was always a danger,

when he went to ground isolated there. I thought the original danger

was Finn Russell kicking the ball away, that set up this little

counter attack, our Irish friends are playing that rerun, hoping it

shows a penalty. It doesn't. I thought Russell kicked the ball away

hen Connacht attacks then Hogg counter attacked but you are counter

attacking into the wind and he couldn't get enough territory. You

know, games are all about flow, and momentum, and Connacht getting into

the game now. And this is the first Sally into the 22 metres, Ian Davies

has called time out. That is because of the injury, rather than anything

else. So this is the first time Connacht have a chance. Jonny Gray

has taken one for the team. This is the first time they have threatened

Glasgow or been in a fogs threaten Glasgow. It is only blood he

sayings, I will play on. They have the line-out. When you come to these

situations you think there is lots we can do, we can fake catch and

drive, drive for a bit, sneak off the back or we can hit midfield.

Lots of options, as defenders you think what are they going to do?

Well, this is what they are going to do. Catch and drive. The puzzle is

what to do, because Connacht have it.

Marmion, just teasing the gap, that looked a bit... He tries to get the

ball on the post, he has done that, he has breached the line, it is the

first score to Connacht and it looks to me as if Bundee Aki has done the

business. He deserved that. This is a maul, I thought again, we have to

be neutral. I thought Nakarawa a maul, I thought again, we have to

have been penalised. It looked as though Warriors collapsed and

Nakarawa's body is on the ground, coming up now. There, they cleverly

move it open. It is that short pass and another offload and Bundee Aki

takes two or three people, that is great. That is a great score. Be

fair to them, that is a very well crafted score. It all went wrong,

the maul came down, he kept it going, picked a huge Tongan midfield

and he blasted it in. It is that key area of the field, when a team has

the ball like that it is virtually impossible to stop. A team of the

technique and Connacht of front it is one of the key playing option,

and the other one of course, is they have some good kickers, their best

isn't there today but AJ MacGinty, he has completed the move. It was

well within his range but Glasgow still had too men round -- two men

round him. It was the two short pass, Marmion with the short pass,

he is a heck of a build for a centre. You wouldn't him eating your

lunch He is only 15 stone 10. centre. You wouldn't him eating your

Six feet. 15 stone 10 on the hoof. They were desperate to have him fit

Thor today's game. This is going Glasgow's way, that was a mistake.

Ian Davies giving Glasgow the advantage.

You watch a lot of these and there is a flat option and a deep option,

and Marmion came off and he tried to get the flat option, wariers are

blitzing town deep player, they marked the flat player and it didn't

work for then. If you in the Warriors you think we have been

attacks 15 minute, and then they have scored. We have to get bang

attacks 15 minute, and then they into it. As a coach, Pat Lam will be

delighted with one attack and one into it. As a coach, Pat Lam will be

score. Yes, but, if the wind stays the way it is and it is horsing in

from the left. You would want two o or three. If down your round that

wind... Think you are right. It looks as though he is on the

right-wing. That score, we will keep an eye on the other game, Edinburgh

are leading Cardiff by 12-0. 12 points to the good Edinburgh, after

20 minute, all the matches starting today at the same time, so we are

exactly give or take a second or two perhaps, we are in the same thing

and Favaro has come on there, for Glasgow also. So changes all round.

That must mean Ryan Wilson is the casualty.

Harley is still there. The other headband is Jonny Gray. The Warriors

back division becomes a slightly smaller back division you have got

rid of your big man, you have three light midfielders, two Lightwingers

as well. This is Warriors trying to get a penalty if they can, but under

pressure. And they have it. Well, it was a quick nudge there, Josh

Strauss had a quick look, that has gone against Ronan Loughney.

He has been penalised there. Dennis Buckley, the key probably key figure

in the Connacht scrum is not available to them today, his role

across the whole area of the playing area of the field is vital.

Particularly at break down. There is one of the key figures in the front

row for Glasgow, Puafisi. One off, almost winner takes all or gets the

row for Glasgow, Puafisi. One off, home venue, you sense in the players

this is a key match. Finn Russell's second attempt. He

has driven it wide. You can tell from the reaction of the crowd, zero

from two for Finn Russell. Kicking conditions are not good, and really,

from that side, you would have thought he did read it, but he

didn't bring it round far enough. You can see the disappointment, the

frustration as he picked up the tee. However it is done and dusted.

They still from the the seven point deficit. 22-and-a-half minutes gone,

Munster 7 Scarlets 8, all of these matches in a blanket finish in the

Pro12, on the last day, every single game is critical and that is well

taken by Connacht. Let us see how the game is unfoaling with Andy. It

taken by Connacht. Let us see how has been wake up call for Glasgow,

because they have conceded ta try, they have missed penalty, the first

ten minutes was almost too easy that, I got into scoring position,

they didn't take them. Now they in a real game at 7-0 down. That might

have been a good thing. It might have focussed the minds, this is a

tough game. All Glasgow need to do is win it or draw. A lot of rugby to

come. Russell. Loaded with trouble. That is a great kick. That is a

nightmare. A nightmare for him to have the deal with a kick like that.

Do you go near it, do you leave it, does it hit you and go out? At the

end of the day he decided he would just leave it, I think. A word about

Nakarawa, who is number four, he has been fantastic for Warriors and he

is off, I think, everyone is saying she away to France, and -- he is

away to France. Of all the players the Warriors have signed, I think

Nakarawa is the one who has been the Warriors have signed, I think

best value. Going for big bucks to France, but of all the players we

watched, even today he has been brilliant for the Warriors. I think

I would put it he is going to be the biggest loss I have seen for Scots

stoun for sure. Leinster are good against Treviranus sow. If that

carries on which I presume would be the case would give... That is a

mistake, that is a mistake because it has fallen to Puafisi who gets it

back to Price. Nakarawa. Glasgow in the right area. Playing against the

condition, Puafisi again. Drops it short this time and look that the.

Piling in from the Connacht defence. Ali Price goes right. And again

Bundee Aki. Over ten, is a metres he is like, I don't know, he is like a

sprinter. Be honest we have not seen many teams that get the wariers

behind gain line, this defence is flying up, they have smashing into

bodies, it is the best defence the Warriors have come across. Good

break. That is why Peter Horne is there. He gets it up to Russell, a

big decision is when to relies and when not. Took the right decision

there. To Glasgow again in the right area.

A game, Peter Horne at scrum-half. Nakarawa unceremoniously dumped. The

Connacht crowd rousing their team. All Dillon comes in and Glasgow will

certainly not have faced this kind of defence all year. That is great

defence again, let's call it as we see it. What strikes me is it is

very similar to Matt Taylor's Warriors defence, the first man

flies in really hard, low. They don't go- the ball, they hurt you

love. First man alone, he has got to go to deck. Number seven thinking, I

will get on the ball. Two similar defences and I don't think many

teams have come up with this kind of defence against the Warriors. I have

never seen anything like it the they they defended 7-0 against Leinster

against the win. Leinster got over the line three times and they held

them up three times. It was last man standing start. Jonny Gray is having

stitch. So it looks like Val probe. stitch. So it looks like Val probe.

-- ballot Simeon it tomorrow. What Connacht have been able to do in the

areas of the pitch, they are up quick, they fill up the first five

metres and Warriors cannot bludgeon over the gain line. We know in the

opposition 22, Warriors will play one pass game and get momentum,

momentum. This lot are not letting them do that. It is a case of a good

maul for Connacht at one end and bravery in defence. Tim Swinson is

the temporarily, we would imagine, replacement for Jonny Gray, who is

away for some stitching. Even that is a presumption we are making

because he certainly had a cut to deal with. Whether he has to have a

head injury assessment, we will see. Again, the difficulty. Lee Jones

this time. Taking one look at that as a coach or a player, the next

time you get the ball, you will do the same thing again, because it is

the percentage game. Lee Jones is a great player, sevens player, should

be comfortable under the high ball. My instinct at the time was was he

facing straight are not rather than slightly sideways and he was looking

up at the winger coming at him. Even a professional can be away from

home, looking up and looking at the player coming at him rather than

getting the ball into the basket first and then playing. You would

have to say, never mind the position, if you were offered

playing 7-0 in the conditions, you might wonders. The second half might

be slightly advantageous to Glasgow. Both teams winning line-outs, a

couple of mess ups, the won to but not dominating scrums like they

were, Connacht. This is where Bundee Aki is dangerous, thundering through

as the rain comes down. If anything, it is getting heavier. Bundee Aki

again the main man and this time Glasgow have a break. Loose ball

hacked on. Ian Davies has pulled them back for a knock-on in that

movement. Danger the Glasgow because Connacht have the scrum. Big man

coming on the short ball. The closer you are to a ruck when you make your

punch, the less distance the defence can of moved up and Bundee Aki, the

first break he made in the whole sequence was a ball into hands,

going through the gap and looking to off-load and that could have been

much more dangerous. As Andy said, the momentum has changed a little

bit. The Warriors had it pretty easy and no Connacht are right in the

group. They have clawed themselves back into it. They wouldn't be where

they are in the league, league tables do not live over a long

they are in the league, league period of time. They have won 14 of

their matches, lost seven, 13 bonus points, perfectly entitled to be

looking for a home semifinal. Not quite the Leicester City of the

Rugby world but it is not far off it. This time it is AJ MacGinty.

Look how he tried to slide Bundee Aki over the line but he has knocked

on. Here we go. Well, some discussions about the weather,

perhaps. Wilson back there in the thick of things. Gordon Reid, sorry.

This was clever, this was just straight to AJ MacGinty. Look at

Bundee Aki is trying to slide him over the line. Yes, and then the

pick and go is a mess up. They are playing simple rugby, Connacht. The

Warriors are getting the ball wide and then a little Paul in behind. He

is checking for foul play. It is anybody's guess what he might have

seen. He says it is against Muldoon. He says against Green eight. Cut

back inside, ball in one hand. That is it. Would that have been it? It

is hard to see there. If it was in play, it was hard to see. I think he

has been alerted from the side. There is something happening late,

Muldoon is not happy with something late. The angle is blocked by both

my position and six black. We can't see Tim Swinson in amongst that but

he is the one that has been fingered for what happen. The referee can't

see it,... Strauss took somebody off the ball. There is Swinson. That is

the allegation, Swinson comes in, he is offside but there is no foul

play, is there? I think the referee is saying he couldn't see what

happened because of Rob Harley. Anyway, that has all gone. Again,

let's be neutral, if Muldoon is claiming foul play looking for a

penalty, he is chancing his arm because there is no foul play.

Swinson came into the ruck and he was offside but it is going to be a

dangerous situation anyway. The other way of looking at that is it

is good captaincy by Muldoon, putting questions into the referee's

mind. Vastly experienced, nobody, as I said, who has played more time.

14,933 minutes at the start of today's game, to be precise. 211

matches. That has broken down and Glasgow are

in trouble. It has spilled out on the Glasgow side, the referee is

in trouble. It has spilled out on involved, everybody is involved. So

he is going back to where Glasgow had BP Portrait Awards the ball.

Good defence. Warriors I think maybe thought they deserved a penalty.

Strauss picks and goes and Bundee Aki comes in from the centre,

smashes him. Then Muldoon gets to his feet and it is a loose ruck and

the referee gets nobbled. There is a point for saying that should be

Connacht ball because they won it on the turnover. The way to use Bundee

Aki, as well as his sheer strength and running force, he is virtually

used as a wing forward. Yes, he has that power and they know the

Warriors can't really run that length of the page so hit them with

a couple of passes wide. I am sure they could on a dry day. That is the

position, the Connacht strike rate has been good in terms of attack and

return. We are into the final ten minutes of the half in this crucial

final day's play in the Guinness Pro12. And I suspect Glasgow would

be content to see out the next eight minutes also without any further

ado, because they would love to go in at 7-0 down in the circumstances,

because they would see that as a mountain they could certainly climb.

Cardiff have hit back at Murrayfield. They have a try.

Edinburgh are still leading by 12-7. We will keep you updated on all of

these matches. 14-9 to Munster. That could very well go either way, but

that is the game Edinburgh will have half an eye on. The scrum just a bit

untidy. The key little moment here because the Warriors have do survive

this. Look at the rain, just coming slightly behind Connacht, just get

out of this bit of the pitch. Leinster 17-3, no surprise there,

that is the latest score also. All the matches kicking off at three

o'clock. And this is a critical scrum. Strauss tidies. Look at how

quickly he is hammered back. Even Bundee Aki is in there preventing a

break. Nakarawa sees a chance and Glasgow have sneaked it. Now that,

psychologically, is a big boost and look who is in the middle of it all,

Bundee Aki. Always in the thick of things. I would like to watch that

again. They have committed a lot of players to the breakdown, including

Batman, who has had a great game. You need a big number eight in

modern rugby, a big 18, 19 stone player. Strauss picks the ball up,

carries it up the pitch, being hit by players and it looked as though

Connacht had done enough to get the ball but penalty Warriors and that

man will be slightly worried at half-time that his team is not more

points up. But two very good condition and teams. Take a longer

view of this, Glasgow need a Strauss on for 80 minutes as Johnny Gray

rejoins. -- Jonny Gray. There is nobody there who can replace him if

he goes. You could stick Wilson in at eight, but you are losing another

big fellow. Strauss is a big, big man. Plenty for Gregor Townsend

big fellow. Strauss is a big, big think about. Nakarawa takes. Not

clean ball though. Because Aly Muldowney, who will know a thing or

two about the Glasgow attack... There they are, turned over again.

Clever defence. They just annoyed Nakarawa enough that it became loose

ball at the back and hide. Wilson couldn't come in to take it and

Muldowney got hands-on ball. As soon as he got the call "??maul he would

keep the ball off the ground and we will get the scrum. You can see Pat

Lam's fingerprints over everything. I read an interview and the

philosophy he believes in, he believes in flowing rugby, players

making decisions within a framework and all of these players now are

incredibly skilled. An indication of the importance of today's game. The

great and the good of Ireland are Six minutes left of the first half.

The scrum-half is at number eight. Well, that is a novelty and that is

why they wanted that delivered quickly. I think it was Muldoon who

put it in. Here they go, they have broken up the middle. Marmion turns

the other way, maybe took the wrong decision. Marmion again all of a

sudden, Connacht on the move. Bundee Aki doesn't get it away. Spills it,

Glasgow need the ball. Glasgow have the ball. Now there is a chance for

Glasgow. Mark Bennett takes it to ground. Adeolokun spilled the ball.

This is where Glasgow are good. They take a chance with the kick but the

bounce is not kind. It has fallen to Matt Healy. Big shout for a forward

pass. Edinburgh, in passing, have another try. They have scored three

of the four tries they need to do one part of the job, because the

rest of it is defending and what happens elsewhere. 7-0 here at the

Sports Ground in Galway. Bundee Aki, a bit of his kicking game. Kind of

bounce for Glasgow. Finn Russell has ago.

In the right area. Again they are so good in contact but here a penalty

to Glasgow. O'Brien did well, he tackled Harley, haarly, you know you

don't want to be tackling rob Harley. Bone smashing into you, big

don't want to be tackling rob legs and O'Brien greedy. He tackled

him once too often. Didn't move out of the way. It is one of these great

games where you can tell the players, they are bursting their

lung, everyone is playing on a knife-edge, everyone is giving

everything they have got. Finn Russell, this man Hogg when he gets

the ball you look at the conditions and the way they spray the ball

round it has been great. He had to welly that to get it that distance.

It is interesting he is the man they go to for the longer kicks. It is

out of range. I tell you what the Warriors will be happy they

weathered that. That could have been another try. These are xheemts. --

real moments. As As the clock ticks on. Harley,

and he is taken out. Any way, game on, midfield. Glasgow have it, but

again, this contest on ground is ferocious. I don't think Glasgow

will have met anything like this this season, so far. Just a fraction

late with that pass. Ball is loose. Comes out on the Glasgow side.

Ospreys 14-14 against Ulster, another critical game in the whole

scenario. 14-19 I hear now, instantly changing, all these games.

Nakarawa flings it out Russell is... Look at the way, the defence. This

is Glasgow possession that has gone back 15 metre, that is good defence.

This time, they try, they just can't break the line. Look at how tight

Connacht are. This time they go. Price. Moving it quickly. Trying to

force a gap. There is no way through. You get through the

defensive line and you have got five or six thousand Connacht voices

balling at you. -- Balling at you, psychologically important. The best

that can be said of that, is they retained possession. The conditions

aren't helping the way Glasgow play. Glasgow like to play that little

contact. Little bit wider. They like a long pass off. The nine will

normally pick out the middle man of three for whards who are quite wide.

Your get width and pace on the ball. Today, what they are doing is

getting the ball and they are being smashed. Smashed behind gain line by

a man coming down, below your knee, smashed. Smashed behind gain line by

chop, down you go, you have to get two bodies into rescue it, they get

on the ball as well and you can see there, there are Warriors

casualties, I think they will get through but at the moment they are

not getting through them. They are not getting through. One try tells a

story. It is not a Warriors's try. It is one of these games you don't

want to end. It is so much. There is a long way to go. We could very well

be in the final minute, or I am not sure if this would be the final

play. Because if so, I think Glasgow will be mightily relieved to go

seven points down. They have had so much possession in the first 10, 15

minutes against the wind, which was encouraging in itself, then Connacht

hit back with that quick score, vital score in their first real

attack. They have come close to breaching the line on a couple of

occasion. But they will trust their running power in the last ten

minute, they always wipe teams away, they can do it today.

Ali Price, and again, just an indication that the Connacht

pressure is beginning, look how quickly they came round on Ali

Price, he did well, again he smashed but that is going forward.

That is going forward and Peter Horne new that.

The referee has called a quick squirery here, a quick squirery call

which is not a good sign. One of the Connacht players taking a hit. Good

footwork. He is out. Oh, he is out. He switched off there. Under the

rules he has to go off. There is a bit, here he goes. That was Bundee

Aki, it is the number four, it is Dillane. Dillane, you could see as

he went down, he goes down like a pack of bricks. His chin, right on

Price's back and he is out. If they spot that, the rules are he has to

go off. Well, they see it on the screen, if nothing else. Well, that

is a strange one. Because under the protocols, our understanding of it,

he should have gone off. It was like switching a light off there.

Ian Davies having a bit of craic. Coolest man on the park, I think.

I don't think anyone else is in the mood for a joke, but... This,

however, could be the last play, because the players will have looked

at Marmion, looking at the clock there. Warriors need to find out a

way of unlocking that defence second half. That is key. Use the weather,

get territory down to the right-hand side and somehow unlock this really

abusive defence. -- a Bray sieve defence. One way

would be to put it by hind them. They have tried the aerial route but

not distance Connacht got down there because they kicked and Hogg counter

attacked or somebody counter attacked and they got the penalty.

That use theed the wind, they scored the try. You have to use the wind to

get where you want to start your attacking play from, if they can get

get where you want to start your those turn over penalties kick for

the corner, that is what happens Essex half.

Pretty much sure this is the last play now.

The ball is in there somewhere. Now it is not. Look how he knew where he

was, Marmion, because he took the shortest line towards the goal line,

to get rid of the ball. Because he knew where the clock was. He knew

where the line was, and well, Connacht will be happy they are

ahead, the question for them surely, and for Pat Lam is, is that enough,

are they far enough ahead, because Glasgow have got seven points to

find, if nothing else in the second half, and that is what is in front

of them. It is interesting the way that game

happened. The Warriors came to this part of the world and took them

apart first ten minutes and these two short passes and Bunn's try.

That was a big turning point. It was the first half of the first half all

warrior, second half Connacht, their defence and the use of possession

was much more intelligent. It is all still to play for, at half-time at

The sports ground in Galway. Connacht seven, Glasgow 0.

They are a tough old nut to crack, we know they are a good side, a

physical side but they have shown that, certainly the second half of

that first half Without a doubt. Maybe because Glasgow have won their

games in the last few week, easily, maybe some people thought this was

going to be another one of those and Glasgow keep their average of 34

point, you can see the weather, it is a filthy day there, the

opposition have come to the party, and Connacht have just, they, the

survived that first 10, 15 minutes when the Warriors were dominant and

maybe could have had a couple of tries but they came into the game

and Glasgow have had to withhold themselves and get their line

intact. It has not been the most exciting 40 minutes but it is

intriguing, there is so much at stake, you can see it in the

intensity. That intensity led to the only try of the fist half. Bundee

Aki, who is a back who can play like a back row forward He has been off

injured, maybe that coincided with him having a stumble. He is so

important to what they do in attack and defence, we will show examples

of that. This is an attack. Marmion runs with the ball. He does it very

well. A great offload from MacGinty. Wilt son has a chance, but it is a

well set up maul, Nakarawa comes in there, probably does try and take it

down a bit, Wilson has to make this tackle there and stop it. He doesn't

and the momentum Aki has got. Look how well he does, the referee is in

a great spot. Wilson had to smash it to have a chance of stopping the

game. He has been so influential Bundee Aki in attack and defence.

When you have a guy like that against you and he can do

everything, he was a good run we are the ball in hand, he is a great

defender, how do you deal with a player like that? You either can

play the ball away from him, or in defence you make sure that someone

like Wilson makes that tackle. Great players are only great when you make

the tackle. He was anonymous for the first 15 minutes gauze Glasgow are

dominant. Then he got his impact coming into the game and you can see

how good it was. Hugely influential. Certainly was, at the start of the

match we thought a guy who is leaving Glasgow at the end of the

season, Leone Nakarawa, was going to be hugely influential as well. Did

impressive stuff This is what he does. This was the first minute of

game. It is the awareness of what is round him when he is there the best

of the scrum. Ali Price gets support here. Glasgow are in behind. When

this went to Finn Russell, I thought put the ball through the hands, he

kicks it. He folds it up well and the kick is only as good as the

chase. They managed to turn it over. Fraser Brown and Stuart Hogg is in

there Seymour is in. They missed it. This was another chance. He comes

out. Finn Russell. He is an in and out game. Ali Price as well. He

struggled at times. Watch the turn over ball there, this was

symptomatic of it but they get the turn over and Tommy Seymour gets the

ball, and the defence has been pretty good as well. They have only

conceded one try, but you know Nakarawa always offers himself off

Jonny Gray. You want somebody running off. Nobody is there off his

left shoulder. He does well, but yet again, look at the angle. Gordon

Reid picks it beautifully. You want that to be an outside back. He

doesn't hold on to it. That was two examples when Glasgow had their

play, they got in behind Connacht but weren't able to convert it into

points. At that stage you thought this is going well for Glasgow. They

are going to win this, but then suddenly Connacht came back in, got

that Bundee Aki try and dominated the rest of the first half. So

Glasgow will be happy sitting in that changing room seven -- 7-0 down

because it could have been worse. A viewer has said if a New Zealand

because it could have been worse. A player scored that try, he didn't

expect the slight reverse pass. You have to, he read it and he did the

hard thing in many ways, he didn't do the easy thing which was catch

the ball. Would he have gone foefr a try? Probably not but they would

have recycled it and maybe opened it up for someone else. The line speed

and defence. Glasgow were getting knocked on their backside so often.

So if you play against the best team in the league as Glasgow are, who

are o scoring 34 tries, 34 points, your line speed has to be good. Look

at Connacht here, every time they are set, and it is not just Aki or

mown Downey or Muldoon. Everybody is coming off the line. They are get

Tom Youngs front foot. Glasgow recycle it but look at the

intensity. They the reason that white line, they are safe. Bang, off

the line, that is really really good line speed. Was he offside? They are

close, but you have to be close, keep the right side of it. Look at

the flying up there, that was Muldowney has been in there, doing

it. They are pushing them back here, Ali Price, gets Nakarawa into bad

position, that happens so often, they are able to control it. Glasgow

weren't controlling the phases, Connacht were with the defence. I

was sco going to ask you, you are a scrum-half. A couple of the passes

there were two Glasgow player who had to stand up, and immediately as

a defender on top. Has he given the players as much of an opportunity as

he could with his passes? You have to flip it quickly. Nip it away as

quickly or possible or you entertain the first defence, if you do that

and put it away, their line speed is coming up, you run down the

opportunities for those players so it is finding that balance. I have

been impressed with Ali Price all year, he is in a game of intensity,

arguably not probably had anything like this, with what is at stake,

and I just think he needs to get a bit more control. I think he is

alloyed the Connacht defence to control what he has done. If you

look at somebody like Mike Blair who has huge experience. Two players at

two ends of the experience spectrum. He would probably control a bit more

of thatle Ali Price has to do that in the second half or Grayson Hart

will come off the bench quickly. We watched Glasgow dominating in the

scrums and getting a couple of tries from that, a couple of occasions in

the first half, where the forwards again got the nudge on and did good

stuff. Glasgow had to dig deep. It is round Bundee Aki, takes the ball.

Marmion is good. MacGinty, he attacks it. That goes into Muldoon.

Look it a great tackle. If he holds on that ball. Connacht recycle, they

are going for a try. So it was Glasgow scrambling's defence was

good. It has to be, because this was 7-0 at the time. You don't want to

go down to 14. Here is another one. Still 7-0. Look at how quick

MacGinty attacks the line, he is putting the pressure on Price and

Wilson, I just this there, if Muldoon, Muldowney has a bit of

composure goes over the ball, if they recycle that it is a try. So

this is where Glasgow had to dig really deep and they did. They got a

bit of lung because of a poor really deep and they did. They got a

decision but if they get a try, in light of what Glasgow could have

done in the first ten minutes, they didn't score, Finn Russell missed a

couple of penalty, a couple of opportunities we have seen two

clear-cut opportunities for Connacht. This could have been 21-0

down for Glasgow. Gregor Townsend will be sitting the

changing room saying it is only seven, we have the wind behind us

and we can still win this and Glasgow only need one try and get a

7-7 draw and get a home semifinal, so it could be a lot worse and they

will take a lot of confidence from so it could be a lot worse and they

that. Huge game for Glasgow and Connacht but right across the

league, it is a really important. When know Edinburgh need to get the

bonus point win and they are doing OK, if they get another try,

potentially, they will have to hope other results go their way.

Absolutely. If you look at Munster and Scarlet is, Ospreys and Ulster,

it is so tied for the play-offs. -- tight. I think it is better weather

down in south Wales and West Wales, they are benefiting from that. So so

much to play for, nothing is guaranteed. The only thing you are

much to play for, nothing is seeing is Leinster looks like they

have guaranteed a home semifinal, so we know the game in Galway was

always going to be the other home semi and we have a 7-point game.

Zebre look up against Newport Gwent Dragons, they have got the Italian

Champions Cup spot and they will be delighted. That is of course only

half-time. Let's have a look at the Edinburgh tries, three so far.

Hamish Watson, sensational all season, gets the first one. Hamish

Watson has been fantastic. Obviously this year, with Rodney Grant leaving

but then John Hardy coming, great off-load by Dupre, he has been doing

that all season. Brings out two defenders and that there is space

for Hamish Watson. Got them after a good start. Another player who will

be sorely mist, Matt Scott, gets on the end of this one. Good awareness.

He is off to Gloucester, he will be a big loss, his last game at

Murrayfield. And again, great pick-up. So Edinburgh, they have

played good rugby and again, Matt Scott putting another chip in, Tom

Brown saying I am having that, you are not getting your second try.

Great awareness again. Hamish Watson has been good all season. This is

why I think Edinburgh will lose. I went down the West Country and

why I think Edinburgh will lose. I played for bat, it is a fantastic

place to play, Matt Scott has been a great servant and it is right for

him to lead but it is what Edinburgh will lose, and outstanding player.

If he puts a little kick in in his last game at home, maybe not being

played to what he has been told to do, shaking it up and enjoying

himself, they will miss him. They also have a lot of things to happen

with Ospreys and Munster for them to get into the sixth place, but what

they need to get is a bonus point. They have got three tries in the

first art, they must get a bought one and hope that Munster lose at

home and Ospreys lose at home, which could happen, so they still have a

chance, albeit an outside chance, of getting both Scottish sides in the

Champions Cup next year. Let's have a look at the chances of Glasgow

been defending champions and winning it once again. They don't have to

get a home semifinal but no way team has ever won a semifinal in the

Pro12 when it comes to the play-offs. Leinster we know are

going to be the home team in one of them, and the winner today will be

the home team. So what do Glasgow have to do to turn it around? It has

been a tough 40 minutes. It has been tough, but there is no need to

panic, they have the conditions and the wind behind them and they only

need to draw this game to get the home semi. I think they just need to

be a bit more sensible about what they are doing around the contact.

The control that Ali Price didn't really have, they need to get. But

there is no need to panic. They need to take their kicks. Finn Russell

has missed two but you would expect him to get both. You will get that

in games and you need to react to it. It is all to play for. Nothing

has changed. There have been a few injuries, Jonny Gray has been on and

off and when your captain does that, sometimes it is difficult, Alex

Dunbar has gone off injured. He has been really unlucky with injuries

but Mark Bennett comes off the bench, quality international player.

They just need to play better. If they can take it back to the first

ten, 15 minutes, where we saw the confidence that we had talked about

was absolutely there. They just need to get their execution in a bit

better, and because of the ball and ease their way back into the game,

get the scoreboard ticking over. They don't need to win it in the

first ten minutes, they just need to make sure they are up in the last

five minutes. So far this season, we have seen Glasgow put in big

second-half performances and that is what they need to do in Galway.

Let's go back to John Beattie and Hugh.

Don't panic, the man said. I agree entirely. The worry is the weather

is getting worse. The Warriors have a really good chance of getting a

home semi. As Andy said, they just have two draw and we all know they

are good when the games get tasty. This is going to be a great second

half. It is horrible. And it is a big, big game. Glasgow will play

from left to right with conditions in their favour. This is the way

Connacht were playing when they defended 7-0 against Leinster.

However, seven points to the good, Connacht. The prize is a home tie in

a fortnight's time. Finn Russell looks ever so relaxed about it. He

will get the second half under way, Glasgow from left to right go along

with their first play. Let's see whether the tactics will change. The

conditions are certainly very different, in terms of playing with

the wind. The rain is relentless. And the storm they had to face, much

of it channelled through Bundee Aki, it has to be said. That gave you an

indication, look out short that was. Josh Strauss goes for a gallop. And

one or two of the Glasgow players, they have not been anonymous, but

they have been kept quiet. Nakarawa for one, Russell has been in and out

of the game. They have had to adjust to Dunbar going off. Wilson has had

a spell of. The captain has been off for a while. It doesn't help, but

Connacht have their changes to adjust to also.

Again, good defence. Connacht fighting for every ball. And Ian

Davies, the referee, the Welshman in his 47th game in the competition.

Josh Strauss, that is twice he has taken the ball in already. Jonny

Gray this time. Glasgow pile in. They will be looking for something

out of this. They can pick and go here. Different conditions,

different solutions. They go left, this time a little chip through on

the left foot. Tiernan O'Halloran is off on his 100th appearance for the

home team, one of two. Nakarawa just strolling for word. Saw the error of

his ways at the last minute and beat a hasty retreat. There is the other

his ways at the last minute and beat Centurion, Marmion, who has been a

key figure today, playing the conditions and playing the Glasgow

defence. They would play here all day to win 7-0. They have done it

before. An injury on the far side for Connacht. Number 12, Bundee Aki,

who has taken as something hit. Glasgow pile in and they are

penalised in front of the huge home support. Glasgow just not releasing

the ball. Not the cleverest thing. You need all 15 men on the field,

that is for sure. Wouldn't want to tempt fate by taking Connacht on

with anything less than the full set of reinforcements.

Let's see how Connacht shifted from here, because this again will show

us what they are playing against. Ian Davies the referee misheard

something, he thought he had been asked for a tee. That one has gone

over the stand. I suspect Connacht won't be in any

hurry at any point here. No, and they are unwilling to give the ball

away, they have to do what Connacht did. Even in the wind, they were

keeping the ball. Trying something different, pick and go, it is

recycled. Glasgow this time are the sprinters. They may have lost it,

Connacht have lost that one. Not happy, Muldowney, as he got up.

Number six Sean O'Brien is the one thing. AJ MacGinty took a hefty one

there. Fraser Brown. I think the problem for Connacht... Mind you it

looked as if it came off his feet. The problem for Connacht is they

know they can't kick and therefore in terms of the Warriors defence,

they don't have to have so many people in backfield, they can have

more people in the first line of defence and go up and tackle him but

you can feel that game is going to be quite a bit more to the

right-hand side as we look it. And you said earlier, the key is that

Glasgow use their kicks as a platform. They need to attack. Brown

delivering it. Nakarawa gets it back. 24-0, Leinster. They have

secured their bonus point, job done for them, we think. That would take

them to the top if the Glasgow result stays. There is a penalty

coming to Glasgow. Side entry, Sean O'Brien again. That is twice he has

cost them. That is just a straight cynical. There is a maul, they don't

want to give away too much ground. That is ridiculous. That is a mile

offside. What he is saying is I will give the penalty away so they don't

humiliate us. There is an example of how the tactics and thought

processes working, Glasgow have gone for another one of the line. They

declined the opportunity to go for the posts. That could mean all sorts

of things. They obviously fancied themselves for seven or at least

five. Six-man line-out. Glasgow go

quicker, quicker. Jonny Gray. Strauss waits. Five metres. Jonny

Gray again. Still five metres. This is where Connacht are good, because

they could keep it here all day. They will tackle themselves to a

standstill. Glasgow are home and dry! It is Gordon Reid who has

scored for Glasgow. I was about to say this is where the Warriors are

good, a big fake. Everything has been faked to the right, a sneaky

peek and go that Nakarawa did first half and takes it almost through the

middle. You are not going to stop the Gordon Reid. Everything is set

up to the right. This turns the game completely on its head, completely

different ball game. And the longer this would have gone on for Glasgow

to score, the more difficult it would have become because of the

frustration level. You can see the captain's reaction. He didn't even

give the ball away after he took it back. First score to Glasgow and the

chance for Finn Russell to add the icing.

That is not that much easier in the conditions, but he has done the job,

he has done the business and we have a 7-7 scoreline. If you see on the

clock, we have eight minutes played in the second period of this crucial

match on the finishing day. The Glasgow flags are flying. And

Connacht now have a measure of what Glasgow are going to offer in

response and John Beattie, you would imagine that is exactly what record

Townsend asks for. Yes, they change is likely to go more pick and go so

they weren't exposing themselves wider out. They will try and use the

line-outs, the wind, to get themselves down there. They always

attack blind issue. End A bit of afters. It is all

beginning to boil over and just in passing there, we saw Leinster have

clinched their bonus point. They are tasting the it. So... The

circumstances have changed slightly of course in that Glasgow are in a

draw situation at the moment, but we don't want to get any further ahead

of ourselves than we have to. We just have to keep offering the

pepper tasting, because anything other than -- perm tracing, because

any other -- permutations. Just interrupting myself to listen

to what Ian Davies had to say. Just a word in his ear. Using his

shoulder, and AJ MacGinty is going up the line. No surprise there,

because it would be a difficult kick from that side of the pitch against

the elements. So, John, it is not unpredictable what is going to

happen now, this the way Glasgow conceded the penalty, just a wee

shoulder from Puafisi. There is no hiding place these day, from that

kind of thing. It was blatant, but here we go, this is, it's a game now

of territory, with wind and rain and mauling.

Well, he has been taken in the air, so Ian Davies doesn't like that.

Some footwork there from Muldowney. Puafisi, again, involved and they

are all piling in. Puafisi is in the middle of it. That is twice he has

been. He rucked beyond the ball. The thing about these dust ups, is that

home teams love them. If you are the home team you like it because they

get the crowd involved. Let us look at this please. The word

head appeared there, in... It is Puafisi they are having a look at

again. They might want to have a look at Muldowney's footwork. That

is a head. It is Puafisi's head in the scrum-half. There he goes. Oh

dear. Oh dear. It is a straight ruck. . It looked like a ruck but it

was head to chin. When that appears it will look worse, and it does not

look good at all. Ooh! Well,... There is another

incidents. The options are he didn't Ooh! Well,... There is another

know his head was going to hit the scrum-half's head in which case he

is innocent or he did know, if he did know, he has gone. For ten

minutes any way. You know there is a stamp. We saw that stamp as well.

This is the more, yes. OK, let us see what Ian tea streets is going to

do. Ian tea cease is going to do. Plea black led with his head to the

nine of green, therefore that is serious foul play. So we are talking

a red card against 3 black. Jonny. OK. I tell you what I have seen. The

stamp would have been dealt with by penalty. Three has led with his

head. I have no alternative but to issue a red card. A red card for

Puafisi. Red card, serious foul play. I have

no alternative, the referee said to Jonny Gray. The Glasgow captain.

That the second time he was involved in an incident, and now, the second

part of it. All right, as I read this, it was a bit of soft shoe

shuffle old school rucking. Yes. No malice by Connacht and then the

referee has decided that that Puafisi, knew where his head was

going. Now that would be a red card, that is a head-butt effectively, the

only reason you would keep him on if he didn't know, if he is looking

down to ruck, but I tell you if Glasgow Warriors survive this, man

down it is the win of the century. Well serious foul play is a no

option situation for the referee. There are options for Connacht,

because they are playing against 14 men for 31 minutes. At least. Look

that the Henshaw is in the maul. The two centres are in the maul. Aki is

in there. Holding it, because they are going

for a penalty here at the very least. And they are heading for the

line, Glasgow have put all the resources in, they have gone the

ground, so they have to play it. Ryan Wilson gets in there.

That was loose. That could have been... Knock-on. That could have

been a knock-on, Ian Davies has allowed them to go on. They are in

reaching distance of the line. Glasgow come in quickly.

Nakarawa over the top and he is told to get out. They are going to play a

forward advantage. They will pummel up. And clatter in, they will fire

it out. Here it comes. MacGinty. He has had to go the other way and he

is scragged by Finn Russell. Glasgow have done well so far to

keep them to this. Here they come in. And the ball is loose.

Now, Mark Bennett. Well, in adversity, there is probably no

Now, Mark Bennett. Well, in better side, but they are certainly

going to have no more adversity than this, I can tell you. Sit down!

Again the head is an issue. One has to be careful because that Connacht

player has taken a big hit and Glasgow clear their lines. That is

something of a moral victory if nothing else, the ball is with Matt

Healy, the nine try scorer, he has options, he takes the outside Ruth

and he is take -- route. That gives Glasgow the time if nothing else to

reorganise and get their breath back. Brave defence, brave defence

by Glasgow. And a breaker and this is Fraser Brown, he goes in, bang,

that is, from that player there, as well, he is also not happy, he took

one on the chin. Good abrasive running from Brown.

Ospreys 14, Ulster 31. We reckon, we croak con that secures fourth spot

for -- reckon that secures fourth spot for Ulster. If they win they

get fourth. Seems to be the simplest way of explaining it. So all of a

sudden John, it is absolutely critical now, what happens. Happens.

It always was, critical is perhaps the best word to use, but all the

circumstances seem to be piling against Glasgow, but they have the

wind in their favour, it could be a big factor. I don't think the Med

Dick is happy with the prop playing big factor. I don't think the Med

on. He took a big one. He took a big hit. Fraser Brown was... -- medic.

He is asking to have the play chequered which is in the

circumstances is... We have an injured prop in Connacht. If he goes

off to be checked That is the way it is heading at the moment. Let us

have a word with Andy adds we watch number 18, Rodney Ah You leaving the

field. What an interesting start. Glasgow came, got right back in in

with a great start at seven all, as we know that is enough to get

Glasgow a home semifinal but it is that much more challenging with

Puafisi's red card. It is there. Now Glasgow have to dig deep. We know

their quality, now we will find out about their character, they can do

this and what you need to do is it is 30 minute, you almost go in three

ten minute periods. Let us stay in each ten n the last ten minute if

you are still there try and guts it out this will tell us about this

Glasgow Warriors side. It sure will. Because the odds and the outcome

could be hugely important. Never mind the safety net of having

qualified for the play-offs already, the difference would be they would

be playing at Scotstoun if they can survive this or better it.

Ali Price goes left. He needs some point on the board. You would think

Glasgow need to score next. If they could get something else on the

board. Ali Price has a snipe. Ryan Wilson. There is a comfort for

Glasgow, they have aces in the backs. Russell decides not the kick.

And again, they are bold and adventurous, Strauss takes it on,

they are making ground. Making ground.

That is not enough, they need to make scores.

It is all and belief, as Andy Nicols said, a little chip, looking for

Nakarawa but he couldn't quite get there.

Jonny Gray has a dig. Marmion. And again, this time it's a

lower kick, testing the Glasgow defence, the nerve. Flung in words

by Tommy Seymour to Hogg. Hogg, that little step that seems to defeat

everybody. He has lost the ball and taken it forward and gets it back.

His feet were in touch. Frustration, because the small margins when he

goes off on one like that, he can crack it. He is world class, he is

world class, and he just, Bundee Aki is trying to take him into touch. It

comes off Bundee Aki, it is on the front cover of one of these Glamour

magazines I am sure you have been in Dan! I think it's the Hello!

Magazine. No, I was in the Dandy. He is great. He does that outside break

really well. I think as Andy says, we are in crucial moments of this

match. Whoever gets the next score will be happier, Warriors have a

match. Whoever gets the next score fight with 14 men down, the

line-outs have been crafted. They haven't messed up any line-outs. The

scrums are even. It is about against, can you get through a

defensive pattern. Shane O'Leary has come on for the Irish team at number

22. They are ringing the changes,

because at some point they have to step on the gas. Oh. They have to

try and put the game beyond reach, I suppose, they have turned this one.

Change of tack. Over the top. This is what we would

want Glasgow or expect Glasgow to do, Lee Jones goes off on a jaunt.

Tugged back by the shirt, and there is another turn over. It is a

knock-on. Ball taken to ground. It is all just becoming so difficult

but then it would. You are a man down, technically great maul

defence. Watch Muldowney. He is shielded by Loughney, gets in,

without being offside. That is where the knock-on happened.

Ronan Loughney getting some attention. Zebre 40 points, to the

Dragons. Treviso are losing. Treviso are losing in Ireland, so

that guarantees we understand, already, Zebre are guaranteed

Champions Cup rugby. And the fields of Athen Rye are damp

but in good voice. Thinking here, how do you try and win this game now

for Glasgow? Puafisi, I think he annoyed the referee, the referee

warned him, and then next thing he did, he was off and as Andy said you

can call it either way, if he knew what his head was doing he deserves

to go off. Didn't really get through Connacht first half, but did in the

second half. And I think there is enough, even if you are a man down,

enough to think about getting the ball down the pitch and get in

behind them and get line-outs and try and score. Is it me or did it

see Sean Lamont on the far side? I think I am losing it You did. I did.

That is a a leaf. Sean Lamont has come on and appeared at wing

forwardment /forward. They will have brought on

Yanuyanutawa and sacrifice a back. So Sean Lamont comes in, because he

can't, you don't want to creep back on your set piece, so bring a big

man like Lamont, to give them a bit of beef. I have seen him going in

there before, I wouldn't want him there all the time, but he has been

in there. Looks like Loughney's day is done. He is struggling with the

rib injury, rib or shoulder, the time he is taking I think suggests

that there is going to be a change, there is some walkie-talkie going

on, shake of the head, doesn't look good. The longer the game goes on,

John, if you were a coach in Glasgow, just now, you would want

them just to dig in, get to the last Glasgow, just now, you would want

10, 15 minutes or have a go. You can't defend this. You have to keep

playing, keep playing, Connacht as you said, they are a proud team they

defend well. They attack well. They have big centres in hen shaurks they

have an uncompromising pack. The Warriors haven't dominated them. You

could look at the Connacht defensive line and say maybe say it touch

offside but it is quick. You really are in a game where you are in an

arm wrestle. You have got to think of every

scrum, every line-out, come up the pitch. They changed slightly after

half-time to make it pick and go and that Gordon Reid was straight pick

half-time to make it pick and go and and go but they are in a tough arm

wrestle. They know if it stays this way, it is a home semi. The prizes

so big. -- the prize is so big. That gives them a big problem, because

that is their prop routine gone, I think. Meantime, we will go back to

Andy. I think this could be a huge result for Glasgow, a huge advantage

with the extra man, Sean Lamont, not used to being there, that could be a

real attacking threat nullified with uncontested, so that is one bullet

dodged for Glasgow. John Muldoon will have that in mind, would you go

as far as to say that has balanced out the loss of the man? It does to

some extent. If this is uncontested, they have lost the prop, they have

lost props to, get some runners on. He asked, can you play loosehead? It

is not uncontested, the hooker can play loosehead. That fired back.

Marmion, off he goes. Sells the dummy, but Finn Russell got there

eventually. They were looking for the flying winger. Meantime, they

are having a go by all more orthodox route -- and more orthodox route.

Scrambling on their knees towards the line. Marmion takes it on a run.

Glasgow came flying out, Tommy Seymour almost got his mitts on it.

What will they do? Will they try and go up towards the post? No, they

shove it out again. They are claiming on the line but Ian Davies

has said no, they come left. Nakarawa dives in. Testing times for

Glasgow. That is a loose pass and Glasgow have nicked it. Well,

Glasgow nicked it, maybe one has too many and they kick just not quite

enough room for it, but almost a kick to nothing. Now they had two

chances, really. Great break Behrami and then that right-hand side. -- by

Marmion. Marmion is quick and I wondered why they went so wide. Why

are they chucking all these passes in? Hogg put him off in. It was a

risk they didn't need to take, the options were therefore just punching

onwards. The knock-on by Matt Healy of all people shows you how

difficult the day is. That is the top scorer in the league.

Update from Murrayfield, not good news, I am afraid. Two quick tries

from Cardiff have put them in the lead 21-17. They need to win,

Edinburgh, in the first place, that is the key to it, so that is looking

difficult for Edinburgh from now on in. Edinburgh in arrears, which is

not good. Here we go, Connacht trying to disrupt, still contesting

the scrums, for all the changes and difficulties we have had with

personnel. It would certainly aid the Glasgow cause if uncontested

scrums came into play. It would just make life a little bit easier. They

have to engineer a movement now. Jonny Gray the skipper. Fagerson

there with the helmet, shielding. Strauss delivers. They don't want to

be anywhere near their posts. Jonny Gray has a little less than subtle

block which he gets away with. Finn Russell manages to get away.

Connacht are appealing, Jonny Gray was less than helpful. They are

appealing. Good except play, a couple of passes into midfield and

Ben Jonny Gray, he just stood his ground. I think that is called

loitering with intent if you do it in the street. Anyway... The boys

are hanging in. This is all they in the street. Anyway... The boys

need, this scoreline. Here we go, that has been spotted. This, I

think, is the Jonny Gray block we are having a look at. Ian Davies is

rapidly becoming the key figure in this game. The TMR says Black number

five, so Jonny Gray, you can't run out of your channel to defend a

player and block. He did move, it is there for everyone to see. Ian

Davies asking for another look. Here it is. Just on the goal-line. Taking

half a step to the right. Now, it is a moot point whether the player

would have reached Finn Russell or not.

Penalty coming, I suspect, the captain is going to get a word in

his ear. You don't normally hear the referee calling the captain by his

first nine, but there you go. He can't really grumble with that, but

I suppose it is three points but it is three unnecessary points and they

are going to have a go at five. The trouble is, for my book, Marmion

played it, Marmion took a slight dive, but Jonny Gray came out of his

line to defend him. The referee has been calling him Jonny and I don't

think Jonny Gray needed to do that, they weren't going to get to the

kicker. And there maul has been good. This is perfect range for

Connacht here. First job done, it is taken down. Oh, and they have

spilled it. They have spilled it. Now, that will be frustrating for

Connacht. Nakarawa as skiing for the ball in touch. Nakarawa got his hand

over the top of the maul. Hands right over and he pulls this ball

out. He pulls the ball out. Unbelievable.

Same again, I expect. Another chance for Connacht. We are on the hour

mark just about. The Sports Ground in Galway. Leave it until they come

to grand. They want all effort directed to this aspect of the

blockage. It is all over the place. Glasgow have hands in. They are

looking for the winner. And they have got it, it is Tiernan

O'Halloran, I think. Man on man has won the cross kickball bat, John

Beattie, could be a influential score -- the cross kickball and

that, John Beattie, could be an influential score. This is a good

maul. It is well defended and varies the kick from their, they look

onside to me. That is a straight gay league football kit, Henshaw does it

well normally, this is the full-back O'Halloran. Well, he read it

carefully and the touch judge, to be perfectly honest, should be able to

call that very easily and O'Halloran, I think, has done the

business. It has been given. So a try to Connacht and the chance to

put two points, two more points to the school.

-- score. And the crowd will tell you, we don't need the flags but we

have got them, just to confirm, that Connacht have added two more to

their tally and all of a sudden, that mountain has just got that

their tally and all of a sudden, little bit bigger and the job has

got that little bit harder, 14-7. I will make a brutal point and I don't

apologise for it, I remember being told you can coach players anything

but players ultimately make mistakes, it is usually Mest passed

or a missed tackle but in this case it is a stupid penalty from Puafisi

and Jonny Gray giving a penalty when they didn't need to. Still winnable.

Harsh but true. That is what has changed this game, without a shadow

of a doubt. The penalty on the line which gave them a kickable

opportunity. Fair play to Connacht. Stuart Hogg just about get through

and he has spilled it. That is a great tackle again and they have

made a hash of the clearance. The referee will go back and take the

knock-on by Stuart Hogg. It is going to take something from the likes of

Stuart Hogg to turn this around now, isn't it? It will take getting into

the danger area. You could attack, from Stuart Hogg you could end up

having a kick from him by halfway with the wind behind it after a

couple of penalties, that is the kind of thing that could turn this

game around but at the moment, the Warriors, I can't remember them

having been right of centre much in this last 20 minutes. And it is

mostly Connacht. As you say, they are good at throttling games. I

wouldn't write off the Warriors, they have enough talent in that

division, enough talent in that pack, to get something out of this.

They need to get across the gain line. The key has been the Connacht

defence, the way they have come up and just sacked people, and the

penalties. The referee says it should be like

riding a bike. I don't know if scrummaging is really that simple.

It is one way of looking at it. Marmion.

All of a sudden, Connacht having plenty of the ball, but it is this

lack of territory that is punishing Glasgow. They need to get here and

stay here. And again, the confidence just

beginning to seep through the Connacht players. Alan McKeon and

another 20, has come on, fresh legs, just after the hour -- and McKeon.

But there is a mistake, straight into touch, the frustration there

are obvious for everyone to see. It gives Glasgow the ball from the

touchline. Gregor Townsend calling some shops.

And the rain teams down at the Sports Ground. The rain certainly

hasn't aided Glasgow's cause. Most of the damage has been

self-inflicted. Nakarawa, untidy. Strauss picks up.

Still a one score game, however. I try and a conversion would get

Glasgow where they need to be and they always back themselves in the

last ten minutes. Whether they can do that... A quick look at the

Ulster score, 41-19 ahead of the Ospreys. Not looking good for all

staff. Glasgow float one over the top. And a game, another penalty,

holding the ball. And every call now is going the Connacht way. That is

the whole game in a microcosm. Glasgow trucked up and they didn't

get anywhere and they decked him. They rushed up so much in midfield,

it had to be a long pass from Finn Russell and when Sean Lamont went up

the pitch, he is tackled. At the moment, the Warriors cannot get

across the gain line and it is such a rushed defence that if they pass

the ball ten metres laterally, it will be man on ball. Cracking game.

The only bonus therefore Glasgow was the wind against Connacht has kept

their back. He has an uncanny habit of knowing when he is on camera, Pat

Lam. Further changes for Connacht. Marmion, the centurion, one of the

two. Ryan Wilson, another change for

Glasgow. Oh Glasgow beginning to look tired

and gaps appearing. In the middle of their defensive

line, there. Gone backwards.

O leerily takes it in. Steadies the ship.

Bundee Aki wasn't exactly quick, treating there.

This is the arm wrestle Glasgow for sure did not want. Especially when

you are a prop down. Connacht come again. Guess who? Aki.

Oh, all sorts of running and crossing, Nakarawa flicks one out.

Glasgow now. Not quite running loose, but Finn Russell takes it

back towards the traffic. Advantage over, they have to play

it. Strauss is out on the right-wing

now. Glasgow having to think quickly on their feet. They have to keep the

ball, that is the first thing they have to do. Ali Price. They just

haven't had the position they -- possession they have had in the

first half. Peter Horne is thumped. Jonny Gray, who will be very sore

about conceding that penalty. Hogg steps away from one but not the

second one. Glasgow pile in.

Nakarawa, what would they give for something special from the big

fella. His big shovel hands are on it. Put