Danny Wilson hails ‘ruthless’ Glasgow Warriors as big win over Zebre lifts them to joint second in URC

Danny Wilson called for his Glasgow Warriors team to show a ruthless streak and they responded with a 40-12 victory over Zebre Parma at Scotstoun which lifted them level with Ulster in joint second place in the United Rugby Championship.

Warriors hooker Johnny Matthews wins the man of the match award and receives a kiss from captain Ryan Wilson after his hat-trick against Zebre. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group)

The home side scored six tries, with hooker Johnny Matthews grabbing three of them, all from lineout drives.

The win was much needed after Glasgow squandered a 28-15 lead to lose in Cardiff last weekend and Wilson was delighted with the performance.

“Really pleasing, we showed a bit of ruthlessness tonight,” said the Warriors had coach.

“The important thing for me was that after a good start, we came out after the interval and won the second half which we haven’t done recently in a couple of games, so really pleased with that.

“Our lineout maul was a really good weapon for us and we thought it would be against this opposition. The hard work to get us into positions to be able to maul from the whole team was outstanding.”

Glasgow led 28-5 at half-time and closed out the game with two more tries after the interval, both from Matthews who now has eight for the season.

The other Glasgow tries came from Oli Kebble, Ryan Wilson and Jamie Dobie as Warriors played their final home game of the regular URC campaign.

“It was a good win and we’re back on track with five points and now it’s off to South Africa for our next two league games,” added Wilson, whose side will face the Stormers in Cape Town and the Bulls in Pretoria later this month before completing the regular campaign against Edinburgh at Murrayfield on May 21.

Warriors players and supporters paid tribute to the club’s longest serving player, Rob Harley, who was playing what could be his last home game for Glasgow. It was announced this week that he would be leaving the Scotstoun side at the end of the season.

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