Glasgow Warriors 33
Leinster 25
Lewis Stuart reports from Scotstoun Stadium
LEINSTER WERE MADE to rue the absence of their Ireland stars when they allowed a full-strength Glasgow Warriors side to recover from 10 points down to record their second bonus point win of the Pro12.
Scotland wing Tommy Seymour claimed an incredible four tries.
Leinster had taken full advantage of playing with the wind in the first half to score three tries and went into the break with a seven-point lead, which they quickly increased, but then fell away in the finale.
The Irish had dominated both possession and territory in the opening 50 minutes, but made heavy weather of scoring with a number of early line breaks being squandered when the ball went straight to Glasgow players.
Instead, it was the home side who struck first — an extended series of attacks being finished on the wing by Seymour. Leinster hit back with Jordi Murphy crashing through the Glasgow line and this time Rob Kearney made no mistake with the finish wide out.
Glasgow responded and the home forwards again did the damage with lock Tim Swinson rashing over, but that only brought the best out of Leinster, who were denied one score when their maul was driven into touch before they could get the ball down.
But they kept up the pressure for Josh van der Flier to find a gap close to the ruck and race in.
Glasgow’s Tommy Seymour. Source: Craig Watson/INPHO
Better still was to follow when a delightful piece of skill from young fly half Joey Carbery with an inch-perfect cross kick gave Zane Kirchner his side’s third try and Carbery delivered again soon after the break with an early penalty to put his side in charge. That was as good as it got.