Glasgow mount incredible comeback to stun Toulouse
Glasgow Warriors staged an epic comeback by thumping French giants Toulouse 21-0 in the Champions Cup on one of the club’s greatest nights.
In pouring rain and high winds, the six-time champions were still able to display all their signature power and precision in the first half as they threatened to comprehensively outplay their hosts.
Antoine Dupont, making his first start in eight months following a serious knee injury, got the ball rolling with the opening try and Kalvin Gourgeus’ double saw the visitors race into what looked like an unassailable lead at half-time.
The Warriors re-emerged like a team that had taken over Toulouse, with Josh McKay, Gregor Brown, Sione Tuipulotu and Gregor Hiddleston trying to send Scotstoun into a tizzy.
When the stadium announcer read Dupont’s name before the match, a huge cheer went up and the little master showed his class without wasting any time.
Thibaud Flament broke through the Warriors defense and galloped to the 22, found Dupont on his shoulder and floated in for the opening try with just over six minutes remaining.
Dupont was instrumental in Toulouse striking again a few minutes later, but the home fans were furious as they were convinced his pass to send Gourgeus for the second try was forward.
The Warriors appeared to be on referee Matthew Carley’s bad side as the penalty count and pressure increased on them.
The home side held on relentlessly at half-time, but Gourgeus shrugged off Josh McKay’s poor tackle to move on to his second and Toulouse’s third.
Glasgow endured another scare on the final play of the half when Ange Capuozzo was denied a try after making contact in the corner, but the contest was all but over with a 21-0 scoreline at half-time.
Or was it? Glasgow needed something to offer a glimmer of hope and they got it with a masterful piece of control that allowed McKay to clear the touchline to run in for the try.
Whether it was head coach Franco Smith’s harsh words at halftime or turning around to play with the wind at their backs, a movement changed and suddenly the Warriors were doing it against their famous rivals.
The Glasgow bench were making an impact and Brown, one of the substitutes, charged in from close range to cut the arrears to seven points and bring Scotstoun back to life.
The roof almost came off when Tuipulotu completed a period of intense pressure on the Toulouse line and we all recovered fully when Adam Hastings hit the conversion.
Still came Glasgow. They shook Toulouse and dealt another blow; They struck a thunderous line-out strike on the try line that gave the Warriors their first-ever lead as substitute Hiddleston touched down.
Great teams often find their way out of a gap, but on this special night, Toulouse Galacticos were knocked out by an inspiring Glasgow Warriors team on a beautiful and wild evening in Scotstoun that will live long in the memory.
