Hiddleston double sends Glasgow top of URC as Morris rescues Ospreys in Welsh derby

Gregor Hiddleston scored two first-half tries as Glasgow Warriors defeated Connacht 36-19 at Scotstoun Stadium on Saturday to move to the top of the United Rugby Championship table. In the Welsh derby, Morgan Morris touched down twice in the final nine minutes to give Ospreys a dramatic 38-31 victory over Dragons at Rodney Parade — their first win of the URC season.

Glasgow 36-19 Connacht

Connacht made the brighter start, with number eight Sean Jansen crossing for a converted try after Ciaran Frawley’s early drop-goal attempt fell short. Glasgow quickly took control, however, with Hiddleston reducing the deficit before flanker Rory Darge went over for a converted score. Hiddleston then claimed his second try, and with George Horne converting both, the Warriors led 19-7 at the break.

Full-back Josh McKay extended Glasgow’s advantage to 26-7 shortly after the restart, but Connacht rallied through two tries from Kiwi fly-half Josh Ioane — the second leaving the visitors trailing 26-19 with 17 minutes remaining.

Glasgow steadied themselves as replacement hooker Seb Stephen crossed for a fifth try, converted by Horne, to make it 33-19. Connacht’s fightback was further hampered when replacement second-row Josh Murphy was sin-binned. Glasgow themselves finished with 14 men after Scott Cummings received a late yellow card, but fly-half Dan Lancaster slotted a penalty to seal the result at 36-19.

Dragons 31-38 Ospreys

A bruising Welsh derby at Rodney Parade saw four players forced off through injury, but it was Ospreys who ultimately prevailed in a contest that swung repeatedly between the sides.

Dragons led 14-12 at half-time, with Elliot Dee’s opening try answered by scores from Keelan Giles and Ross Moriarty — though Moriarty was penalised on the stroke of half-time, conceding a penalty try and receiving a sin-bin as the hosts went in narrowly ahead.

The second half was dominated by driving mauls, with Ospreys co-captain Sam Parry powering over twice, either side of a second try from Dee. Anzelo Tuitavuki then finished off a flowing move to restore Dragons’ lead at 28-26 — a margin that held until Morris bundled over from close range in the 71st minute.

With the score at 33-28, a tense finale unfolded before Morris sealed the result with a second close-range effort, and Dan Edwards added his fourth conversion of the night to make it 38-28. Dragons did claim a late consolation through Angus O’Brien’s last-ditch penalty, but Ospreys held on for a 38-31 victory that ends their winless start to the season.