Following Glasgow Warriors’ 35-17 victory over Scarlets in the Challenge Cup semi-final, Planet Rugby picks out five takeaways from the action.

Scarlets mauled into submission

For all the attacking brilliance that the Glasgow Warriors produce through Sione Tuipulotu and Ollie Smith, to name a couple, it was the pack that steered, or rather mauled, Franco Smith’s side into the final. The lineout drive produced the turning point in the game when Johnny Matthews powered over in the 50th minute, but the Warriors pack also dominated the gain line, scrum and all the key facets in the second half.

The man mountain JP du Preez is always an easy option at the lineout, and he was the go-to man with Richie Gray ruled out of the game. While he was a safe option to get the maul purring, he was just as effective in lifting locking mate Scott Cummings and stalling Scarlets in any way possible.

Even when the Scarlets looked to turn things around with their own mauls inside the Glasgow 22, the Warriors pounced and dismantled their drives to great effect. They shut down the Welsh side superbly and contested the lineout even better. 

Scarlets’ breakdown work

A speciality of Welsh rugby – and particularly the Llanelli outfit – for so long, they once again showed their nuisance value at the contact area. With Glasgow having the bigger ball carriers, it was always going to be a tough day at the office for the hosts, but their pilferers were excellent, keeping them in the contest, even when the Warriors were in the ascendency.

Although the final scoreline ballooned in Glasgow’s favour, the Scarlets led the fixture after a strong opening half as three Sam Costelow penalties and a Steff Evans try quickly cancelled out Stafford McDowall’s opener to lead 14-7 at the break.

Glasgow eventually got on top physically in the second period, but there were still some key interventions from Josh Macleod and co., who gave their side hope going into the final 15 minutes when they pressurised the visitors’ line. The Scarlets deserved to lose but it wasn’t through a lack of effort from their back-row.

Warriors’ Scotland internationals step up

Glasgow simply had more international experience in their side, and it showed. At the heart of it was George Horne, who controlled the game excellently in the second period and was rewarded for his performance with a try. The scrum-half was dropped for the latter part of the Six Nations, but he would have impressed national team head coach Gregor Townsend with his all-round game in what was a major semi-final.

The 27-year-old also brought his forward carriers into the game, with Scottish Test players Jack Dempsey and Rory Darge regularly charging into contact. They, alongside the Fagerson brothers, Zander and Matt, were especially prominent and made a significant impact as that extra class told in the end result. While Warriors boss Smith will be delighted, so will Scotland head honcho Townsend with his players looking in good shape ahead of the Rugby World Cup.

Vaea Fifita continues to shine

Our winner of the URC forward signing of the season shone in the semi-final. Playing in the unfamiliar number eight jumper, Fifita flexed his unreal abilities. Labelling him a freak does his technical abilities a disservice, but there isn’t a better way to describe his physical attributes. 

He hammered into Glasgow bodies on either side of the ball and flaunted his lineout prowess to make life difficult for George Turner and co. After falling out of favour with the All Blacks and thus heading north, Fifita has breathed life back into his career and is bound to be a powerhouse presence in Tonga’s Rugby World Cup campaign. 

He was forced from the pitch after a dynamite 50-odd minutes, but it was a stellar shift worth applauding. His departure coincided with Glasgow swinging the physicality and forward dominance in their favour. 

Success with Franco Smith

Regardless of what happens in the final of the Challenge Cup, the appointment of Smith has been a raging success. For the first time in their history, they reached a European semi-final – and now final – and are still in the running for the United Rugby Championship.

There were some doubts over the South African after his stint in charge of Italy, but he has emphatically silenced those doubters. He has created an environment of fierce competition for starting roles, with his side playing a dynamic attacking game alongside a stern defence. The win over the Scarlets also showed that they are able to get over the line in more than one way. 

Smith has been mentioned as a potential Springbok coach next year, but Glasgow fans will hope he sticks around after an incredibly successful first season. 

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The article Challenge Cup: Five takeaways from Scarlets v Glasgow Warriors as Franco Smith’s charges maul their way into historic final appeared first on Planetrugby.com.