Match report | Glasgow 36-19 Connacht

Glasgow Warriors 36-19 Connacht

United Rugby Championship, Scotstoun Stadium, Friday 9 October 2026

Glasgow Warriors scored five tries to beat Connacht 36-19. Connacht got within a score in the second half, but Glasgow’s maul and a late try pulled them clear.

First half

Connacht struck first. Ciaran Frawley’s early drop goal attempt was charged down, but they scored in the 14th minute. Sam Illo created the chance and Sean Jansen finished from close range. Frawley converted for 7-0.

Glasgow answered with the driving maul that decided much of the night. Gregor Hiddleston scored from a maul in the 19th minute, though George Horne’s conversion drifted wide. Rory Darge went over from another maul in the 32nd minute and Horne converted. Illo was then shown a yellow card in the 41st minute. Hiddleston used the extra man to score a third maul try just before the break, and Horne’s conversion made it 19-7 at half-time.

Second half

Josh McKay scored soon after the restart. A clever kick let him collect and touch down, after a break by Jamie Dobie. Horne converted for 26-7.

Connacht fought back with two tries from Josh Ioane. The first came from close range after Caolin Blade’s break, and Frawley converted. The second was a flowing passing move in the 58th minute, with Cathal Forde setting it up. Frawley hooked the conversion wide, but Connacht trailed only 26-19.

Josh Murphy was yellow-carded in the 61st minute, and Glasgow made Connacht pay. Replacement hooker Seb Stephen scored from a rolling maul in the 64th minute and Horne converted for 33-19. Scott Cummings was yellow-carded in the 73rd minute, but Connacht could not take advantage. Dan Lancaster kicked a penalty on the final play to make it 36-19.

Key points

• Maul: Hiddleston (2), Darge and Stephen scored four of Glasgow’s five tries from rolling mauls.
• Kicking: Horne landed four of five conversions, and Lancaster added the late penalty.
• Standout players: Dobie made several line breaks and set up McKay’s try. Forde led all players for defenders beaten with four, and Ioane scored twice for Connacht.
• Discipline: Connacht received two yellow cards (Illo, Murphy) and Glasgow one (Cummings).

Scorers

• Glasgow Warriors: Tries from Hiddleston (2), Darge, McKay and Stephen. Conversions from Horne (4). Penalty from Lancaster.
• Connacht: Tries from Ioane (2) and Jansen. Conversions from Frawley (2).

Officials: Ben Breakspear (referee), Hollie Davidson and Fin Brown (assistant referees), Aled Griffiths (TMO).