Glasgow Warriors will rally around Brandon Thomson after conversion miss

Glasgow Warriors will thrown a protective arm around Brandon Thomson after the stand-off’s agonising last-gasp conversion miss handed victory to the Dragons on Saturday night.

Glasgow's Brandon Thomson, centre, is consoled by team-mates at full time after his late conversion miss against the Dragons at Scotstoun. Picture: Ross MacDonald/SNS

Thomson struck a post with the final kick of the game to ensure the Welsh side won 23-22 at Scotstoun.

Johnny Matthews looked to have clinched four Guinness Pro14 points for the home side when he went over following a tap penalty following a lengthy onslaught which carried the game more than three minutes beyond the 80-minute mark.

But Glasgow’s celebrations proved premature as Thomson’s attempted conversion bounced back off the upright.

“It was a bitter pill to swallow at the end but that’s not down to Brandon,” said Glenn Bryce, the Warriors full-back. “It’s a team effort and our discipline just wasn’t good enough. It’s a tough one to take but we go into next week and it’s a new competition, the Champions Cup, and the boys will be champing at the bit.”

Jared Rosser had notched an early try for the away team before Glasgow scored twice in four minutes through Fotu Lokotui and Sean Kennedy following the visitors’ second yellow card.

Brok Harris crossed from close range after the break for Dragons and Sam Davies kicked the visitors six points in front before the late drama.

The focus now switches to Europe and Glasgow couldn’t have asked for a tougher start to their Heineken Champions Cup campaign, with an away match against holders Exeter next Sunday.

The Warriors should be bolstered by the return of their Scotland contingent following the end of the autumn international window.

But they will be without on-loan forward Lewis Bean who has returned to his parent club Northampton Saints for the upcoming Heineken Champions Cup window.

The lock will rejoin the Warriors later this month on another short-term loan deal for the club’s festive Pro14 double-header with Edinburgh and the home match against Benetton in January.

Edinburgh, meanwhile, have signed Australian stand-off Charlie Savala and New Zealander winger Korie Winters ahead of Saturday’s Champions Cup match against French side La Rochelle. The 20-year-old pair are Scottish qualified.

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