Glasgow Warriors 31-32 Ospreys: Three things we learned
It was Ospreys who earned the most applause on Saturday
- Published
Glasgow Warriors lost ground on United Rugby Championship leaders Leinster after a dramatic, stoppage-time penalty handed victory to Ospreys at Scotstoun on Saturday.
But what did we and, more importantly, head coach Franco Smith learn from the loss?
Warriors shoot themselves in the foot
Sean Kennedy will rue his decision, as the clock turned red at Scotstoun, to attempt a pass rather than simply kick the ball out of play straight from the restart after Warriors had just taken what looked like a winning lead.
The scrum-half suddenly enveloped by Ospreys limbs, a needless penalty was conceded, Jack Walsh was handed the chance to seal the Welsh side's first win in Glasgow in nine years and four points were squirrelled away.
Kennedy will have been playing that one back in his mind all weekend and will surely not make the same mistake should such circumstances ever present themselves again.
Youngsters yield positivity
Some fans have questioned Warriors' strength in depth following their defeat by a side who only lie 11th despite their bonus-point win at Scotstoun.
Smith preferred to accentuate the positives. His side had come so close to victory despite being without a slew of international players and others through injury - and showed "character" to come back from the concession of three early tries.
Indeed, Smith suggested it showed they have young players waiting in the wings ready to take the step up when needed.
Down, but far from doomed
On the one hand, while Leinster, with 12 wins out of 12, look a class apart from the rest of the league, Glasgow stay second top and remain well placed to finish in the top four and secure a home play-off quarter-final.
On the face of it, Glasgow will be disappointed to lose to Ospreys on their own patch, but they will be mindful that the improving Welsh side have lost just once in seven games and came close to beating the league leaders a couple of weeks ago only to lose 22-19.