Glasgow Warriors go top of the URC as Edinburgh's unbeaten run ends in Treviso

Glasgow Warriors sit alone at the top of the United Rugby Championship after a 29-20 bonus-point victory over the Lions at Scotstoun on Friday, with Edinburgh’s previously unblemished record simultaneously ended by Benetton in Treviso.

For the second successive week, Glasgow needed a late intervention to secure the win. Full-back Ollie Smith crossed in the 76th minute — echoing the 78th-minute try that had snatched victory away at Benetton the previous weekend — before scrum-half George Horne kicked two conversions to seal the result and deny the Lions a losing bonus point.

Horne, part of Scotland’s Nations Championship squad, reflected on a second half in which Glasgow were forced to dig deep. “We came out pretty hot in the first half,” he said. “Then, in the second half, they held on to the ball and put us under pressure. We killed ourselves, giving away too many penalties and they ended up scoring. All the momentum was against us. But the main thing is we came back in. The scrum dug us out at the end and we are just buzzing to get the five points. I am really proud of the boys. The experienced guys stepped up to bring us over the line.”

Head coach Franco Smith acknowledged the Lions’ quality, noting that Glasgow were without 11 of the 19 players selected for Scotland duty. “I expected it to be a fight from the start. The Lions rolled out a classy outfit. I don’t think they were missing many people,” he said. “I’m proud of everybody who contributes to prepare the boys for these important games when we are depleted. To see a result is really important and compliments the rugby programme.”

In Treviso, Edinburgh’s dream start to the campaign unravelled as Benetton claimed their first win of the season with a commanding 31-12 victory. Former Wales head coach Wayne Pivac, now in charge of the Italian side, was visibly relieved. “I am just so pleased for the group because we have come so close in every other game,” he said. “So to get it across the line was pretty special. It’s just so good to get that monkey off the back.”

The result drops Edinburgh to fifth in the standings. Three South African franchises — the Vodacom Bulls, the DHL Stormers and the Hollywoodbets Sharks — now occupy the positions immediately below Glasgow at the summit.