Gregor Townsend shrugged off Glasgow Warriors’ second-half fade-out in their 38-19 victory over London Scottish at Richmond and insisted his troops won’t drop their guard when it really matters.
Warriors square up to champions Leinster in Saturday’s Guineess Pro12 opener with the coach backing the Scotstoun fans to spur the team on to 80 minutes of potent action.
Townsend’s men had been on course to run up a cricket score against the exiles, but they leaked three tries after the break.
However, he stressed: “The players have put in a lot of effort during pre-season and put a lot into this game.
“It was a real contest, especially in the second half and it was a different game to last week against Harlequins. It was a bit stop-start, partly because of accuracy and partly because there were a lot of penalties.
“Quins and London Scottish have tested us in different ways.”
Looking ahead to the Leinster showdown, Townsend added: “The support has really grown over the last few seasons and having a big crowd gives the players a boost.
“We’re expecting a big crowd and I know the players will put in a big performance for the fans. Glasgow and Leinster both play a high tempo game and focus a lot on the contact area to create quick ball, so they’re really good games and very competitive.”
Glasgow had been in charge during the opening exchanges, but their finishing powers couldn’t match slick lead-up work.
They eventually made the breakthrough midway through the half when Mark Bennett sent Pete Murchie clear with a perfectly-timed pass.
Bennett the provider became Bennett the scorer shortly afterwards, finishing off clinically in the wake of a sweeping move featuring the backs and forwards.
Duncan Weir atoned for his earlier miss by slotting the conversion and creating a 12-point gap. Even better was to come from the visitors Bennett in particular as he completed his quickfire double.
Winger Lee Jones was next to get in on the act, cruising over just before half time following a surge by flanker Adam Ashe. Weir converted from a wide angle.
The hosts looked hungrier after the restart and their enterprise was rewarded when former Gala playmaker Lee Millar won the race to his own clever chip into the danger zone. He also turned it into a seven-pointer from dead in front.
With a host of subs being deployed, Warriors lost their rhythm and structure, but regained the upper hand as prop Jerry Yanuyanutawa rumbled over for touchdown number five, goaled by skipper Henry Pyrgos.
Dan Newton nipped in for another LS score, Millar again adding the kick.
It became too close for comfort when Mike Doneghan snapped up a third.
The pressure mounted on the Warriors as Tommy Seymour was yellow-carded for a dangerous challenge.
However, Murchie had the last word for Glasgow after great work by James Downey and Rory Hughes.
Benchman Conor Braid converted.