Franco Smith explains why Glasgow Warriors win over Zebre was an 'excellent' one

The Warriors, chasing a fourth straight URC win, were awarded a penalty try in the 18th minute after a rolling maul was brought down by the Italians, with Zebre number eight David Odiase then shown a yellow card. Gregor Hiddleston was then driven over in the 25th minute following a line-out.

Zebre, beaten 47-10 in Glasgow last time out, got on the board with a close-range score from Franco Carrera, but Hiddleston swiftly got his second try in the 33rd minute following another strong maul, with George Horne again adding the extras as the visitors took a 21-7 lead into half-time.

Glasgow fly-half Adam Hastings was shown a yellow card early in the second half after head contact in a heavy tackle on Albert Batista. Zebre made their advantage count as Giulio Bertaccini barged across in the 48th minute.

The Warriors thought they had a bonus-point try following a drive over in the 51st minute, but the TMO ruled there was no clear grounding and Zebre second row Carrera was then also sent to the sin bin.

Zebre received a third yellow card in the 64th minute for Leonard Krumov for bringing down an advancing maul and Hastings made them pay when he went over in the corner.

Winger Lorenzo Pani scored a third try for the hosts on the breakaway with 10 minutes left, which Giovanni Montemauri converted to cut the deficit to five points, but the Warriors dug in to see out the closing stages.

Glasgow head coach Franco Smith was full of praise for his opponents who belied their bottom of the table status with a battling performance.

"It's always excellent to win here," Smith said. "It wasn't pretty. Everybody always feels that the team winning must do more and be better but I thought Zebre put up a big fight. They never went away, they just stayed in it, so compliments to them and their coaching group. There is something special happening here at Zebre.

"We put them under pressure in certain areas of the game, the set piece especially. If they get that sorted out they will be very tough here in Parma."