GREGOR TOWNSEND SAYS he still believes Glasgow can qualify for the quarter-finals of the Champions Cup after their 14-12 defeat to Rassie Erasmus’ Munster.
While small sections of the home crowd at Scotstoun were thoroughly displeased with the manner of Munster’s win, booing resoundingly at the final whistle, Townsend was gracious in defeat, saying that the visitors were deserving winners.
Saili scores the winning try for Munster. Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
Francis Saili’s late try proved to be the difference between the teams after a cranky affair, with the crucial score coming after Stuart Hogg had been sin binned for a high tackle on Andrew Conway.
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“The players are hugely disappointed because they put a lot of effort into the game,” said Townsend post-match. “We knew how important this game was for us and for the club as a whole, so to lose it in the last seven or eight minutes is even more disappointing.
But the better team won. At times we played well, especially at the beginning of the second half. At times we did the things we set out to do, but just on a few occasions we weren’t at our best.”
The sin-binning of fullback Hogg was met with firm disapproval by many of the Glasgow fans at Scotstoun, but Townsend wasn’t complaining about Luke Pearce’s decision afterwards.
“It was a fair call,” said the former Scotland out-half. “I thought the referee had an excellent game. He communicated really well with both sets of players.
“That was a very passionate and competitive affair, so to be refereeing with such control is a credit to him.”
Townsend also complimented the “very good” Munster defence, which again proved vital in victory for the province, and he also said that the visitors had proved to be more clinical in the 22 than Glasgow were.
Billy Holland and Donnacha Ryan celebrate their win. Billy Stickland / INPHO
Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO
While this defeat leaves Warriors on 14 points, and with Munster already qualified as winners of Pool 1, there is still some prospect of Townsend’s side advancing into the knockouts.
They face a trip to Welford Road next weekend, where they need to beat Leicester.
“We’ll have to play better,” said Townsend. “We always knew that we’d have to win next week, even if we’d won today. I still believe a win will get us into the quarter-finals, but that will become more clear in the next few days.
“I believe in this squad, I know we can play better. We just have to take our game up another 10 to 20% next week.”
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'The better team won' - Glasgow's Townsend gracious after defeat to Munster
Murray Kinsella reports from Scotstoun
GREGOR TOWNSEND SAYS he still believes Glasgow can qualify for the quarter-finals of the Champions Cup after their 14-12 defeat to Rassie Erasmus’ Munster.
While small sections of the home crowd at Scotstoun were thoroughly displeased with the manner of Munster’s win, booing resoundingly at the final whistle, Townsend was gracious in defeat, saying that the visitors were deserving winners.
Francis Saili’s late try proved to be the difference between the teams after a cranky affair, with the crucial score coming after Stuart Hogg had been sin binned for a high tackle on Andrew Conway.
“The players are hugely disappointed because they put a lot of effort into the game,” said Townsend post-match. “We knew how important this game was for us and for the club as a whole, so to lose it in the last seven or eight minutes is even more disappointing.
The sin-binning of fullback Hogg was met with firm disapproval by many of the Glasgow fans at Scotstoun, but Townsend wasn’t complaining about Luke Pearce’s decision afterwards.
“It was a fair call,” said the former Scotland out-half. “I thought the referee had an excellent game. He communicated really well with both sets of players.
“That was a very passionate and competitive affair, so to be refereeing with such control is a credit to him.”
Townsend also complimented the “very good” Munster defence, which again proved vital in victory for the province, and he also said that the visitors had proved to be more clinical in the 22 than Glasgow were.
While this defeat leaves Warriors on 14 points, and with Munster already qualified as winners of Pool 1, there is still some prospect of Townsend’s side advancing into the knockouts.
They face a trip to Welford Road next weekend, where they need to beat Leicester.
“We’ll have to play better,” said Townsend. “We always knew that we’d have to win next week, even if we’d won today. I still believe a win will get us into the quarter-finals, but that will become more clear in the next few days.
“I believe in this squad, I know we can play better. We just have to take our game up another 10 to 20% next week.”
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