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Glasgow Warriors deliver Champions Cup statement with six-try Leicester Tigers thrashing

Henco Venter
Henco Venter, one of two Glasgow back-rows to finish with two scores and was player of the match – Getty Images/Euan Cherry

Glasgow Warriors 43 Leicester Tigers 19

Glasgow Warriors set up a quarter-final date in Dublin next weekend against Leinster after comfortably easing past Leicester Tigers, making it three away defeats out of three for English sides in the Champions Cup on Saturday.

Leicester had a fast start but that turned out to be their peak, struggling in the scrum and for any territory and possession while having Jack van Poortvliet and Cam Henderson sent to the bin in the first half. You would not exactly describe Leicester’s history against Glasgow – remember the 43-0 defeat at Welford Road back in 2017 – and this was another grim chapter in that history. Henco Venter, one of two Glasgow back-rows to finish with two scores, was player of the match.

Leicester could not have wished for a better start in the set-piece, a scrum penalty followed by a maul before Olly Cracknell, their powerful No 8, could not be stopped diving low and hard for the line.

But a mindless penalty given away by Harry Wells, taking out a player miles off the ball, invited Glasgow to respond. Five penalties later they had nothing to show for it, Leicester’s hard work in defence lasting 10 minutes as they shut down mauls and came up with a crucial turnover having made over 40 tackles.

That work-rate did not exactly feel sustainable and Leicester fell apart quickly. Jack van Poortvliet’s yellow card for a deliberate knock-on, sticking out a hand to stop a George Horne pass, gave Glasgow a maul in the corner and despite the overthrown lineout being a mess, Venter mopped up and bruised his way over to give Glasgow the lead.

Leicester’s problem now was repeat infringements and a back-pedalling scrum, turned over on their own ball with Sione Vailanu sharply scooping it up and powering over for Glasgow’s second.

You do not see many tackles where a player’s shirt ends up over their head but it happened to Wells, in a ferocious defensive set from Glasgow which led to a turnover.

Only Adam Radwan’s speed stopped a third Glasgow score and Leicester might have been happy going into the break only nine points down given their lack of possession and territory, but Cam Henderson’s yellow card for going off his feet at the breakdown had them back down to 14 and bleeding three more points to trail 17-5 at half-time.

Perhaps Leicester knew this would not be their night after Cracknell spilled the kickoff, gifting Glasgow a short-range scrum which led to Vailanu’s second try. Hastings’ touchline conversion was excellent.

With half an hour left the outcome already felt determined as Glasgow started to pile on, Hastings finishing off another attack for Glasgow’s fourth score.

George Horne’s fifth was the best of the lot, Glasgow’s all-time leading try scorer adding to his tally after Kyle Rowe, who can seriously move, split two Leicester defenders and found the scrum-half on his inside.

A try for Kata, Leicester’s first points in over 50 minutes, interrupted the procession and they should have had a second after Freddie Steward’s good work, only for Dan Kelly to spill the ball with the line in his sights.

Jamie Shillcock’s sharp interception both prevented another likely Glasgow score and took Leicester up the field, their captain Hanro Liebenberg grabbing another try to eat into Glasgow’s lead.

A try-saving tackle from Ollie Hassell-Collins on Kyle Steyn limited the damage, but briefly. Venter’s second try, following another maul, was Glasgow’s seventh and the final nail in Leicester’s coffin. They had felt like the best English hope on the road, but were well beaten.

Match details

Scoring sequence: 0-5 Cracknell try, 5-5 Venter try, 7-5 Hastings con, 12-5 Vailanu try, 14-5 Hastings con, 17-5 Hastings pen, 22-5 Vailanu try, 24-5 Hastings con, 29-5 Hastings try, 31-5 Hastings con, 36-5 Horne try, 38-5 Hastings con, 38-10 Kata try, 38-12 Pollard con, 38-17 Liebenberg try, 38-19 Pollard con, 43-19 Venter try

Glasgow Warriors: K Rowe; J Dobie, S McDowall, T Jordan (S Cancelliere 61), K Steyn (c); A Hastings, G Horne (B Afshar 72); N McBeth (J Bhatti 52), J Matthews (G Stewart 23), Z Fagerson (S Talakai 52), G Brown (E Ferrie 61), JP du Preez (A Samuel 52), M Fagerson, S Vailanu (R Darge 52), H Venter

Leicester Tigers: F Steward; A Radwan (J Shillcock 59), D Kelly (J Woodward 69), S Kata, O Hassell-Collins; H Pollard, J van Poortvliet (B Youngs 57); N Smith (A van der Flier, 57), F Theobald-Thomas (C Clare 49), D Cole (W Hurd 57), C Henderson, H Wells (T Manz, 63), H Liebenberg (c), E Ilione, O Cracknell (F Carnduff 57)

Yellow cards: Van Poortvliet 12, Henderson 40

Referee: C Evans (Wal)

Attendance: 9,708

More to follow . . .

10:24 PM BST

Thanks for joining us

That brings our coverage of Glasgow Warrior’s 43-19 victory over Leicester Tigers to an end. Up next for the Scottish side is a quarter-final against Leinster. Thanks for joining us! 

10:22 PM BST

‘Very disappointed’, says Hewat

Leicester attack coach Peter Hewat tells Premier Sports: “Very disappointed. We defended well in the first half, took a lot of pressure and made a lot of tackles.

“We gave them easy entry into our 22 in both halves and by the end that took its toll.

“Our mentality was pretty good. We just probably weren’t accurate and let ourselves down a little bit.

“Every game now feels like a knockout game and that’s the way we’re treating the next one. We’ll have a few days off and then get back into it.”

10:16 PM BST

‘We made a lot of errors’ says Smith

Glasgow Warriors head coach Franco Smith tells Premier Sports: “I still feel we made a lot of errors, a lot of mistakes, which is down to nerves. Some tries left out there but I’m happy with the result.

“We’re getting better as a group and we didn’t want to disappoint.

“Leinster pose a completely different challenge. They know how to handle strategic moments in the game. They’ve got the complete package, a good rush defence – they put you under pressure.

“It’s going to be difficult with guys coming back in the next few weeks. We’ll see how we approach this week. The boys out there tonight played well, but one or two fresh players might add value.”

10:12 PM BST

WATCH: Venter scores Glasgow’s sixth try

10:10 PM BST

Steyn: “Our crowd were awesome”

Glasgow’s captain Kyle Steyn has told Premier Sports: “There were a couple of silly errors that I think next week we’ll pay for if we make the same.

“But credit to our big boys, Leicester really threw it at us, really physical, but our big boys really gave us some good momentum.

“And off the back of that our crowd were awesome tonight, anytime we got going you felt the energy from them, so it was a good night.” 

10:05 PM BST

Quarter-final draw (ties to be played on the weekend 11/12/13 April)

  • Bordeaux-Begles/Ulster v Munster
  • Toulon v Toulouse/Sale Sharks
  • Leinster v Glasgow Warriors
  • Northampton Saints v Castres or Benetton

10:03 PM BST

Last 16 results and fixtures

Friday, 4 April

  • Northampton Saints 46-24 Clermont

Saturday, 5 April

  • Toulon 72-42 Saracens
  • Castres 39-37 Benetton
  • Leinster 62-0 Harlequins
  • La Rochelle 24-25 Munster
  • Glasgow Warriors 43-19 Leicester Tigers

Sunday, 6 April

  • Bordeaux-Begles v Ulster (12:30)
  • Toulouse v Sale Sharks (15:00)

10:01 PM BST

‘Hard work paying off’, says Venter

Glasgow’s player of the match Henco Venter tells Premier Sports: “The hard work is paying off, so we can enjoy tonight and then go again next week.

“Our forwards stuck up to it physically, that’s how you play rugby.”

09:58 PM BST

Victory for Glasgow

Adam Hastings of Glasgow Warriors
Adam Hastings of Glasgow Warriors – Getty Images/Euan Cherry
Sione Vailanu of Glasgow Warriors
Sione Vailanu of Glasgow Warriors – Getty Images/Euan Cherry

09:55 PM BST

Full time: Glasgow Warriors 43 Leicester Tigers 19

Leicester have one last trip into the Glasgow 22 but Ilione knocks it on as they go within five metres. Fagerson clearly thinks time is up as he boots it into touch but there is 20 seconds left on the clock. 

So it will be a scrum for he hosts. Afshar does then end the game as he kicks into touch with the clock now in the red.

A really impressive performance from Glasgow Warriors, who are through to the quarter-finals and they will be taking on Leinster in Dublin. 

09:50 PM BST

77 mins: Glasgow Warriors 43 Leicester Tigers 19

Glasgow think they might have scored a seventh after McDowall chases after a loose ball but the TMO checks it and the ball was on the dead-ball line as he grounded it so no try.

09:48 PM BST

TRY! Venter gives Glasgow breathing room

Glasgow Warriors 43 Leicester Tigers 19 (Venter) Glasgow maul well following the line-out from the right to go a couple of metres short.

The maul splinters but Venter is picked out and he powers over the line. The conversion is missed from out wide but it shouldn’t matter.

09:45 PM BST

74 mins: Glasgow Warriors 38 Leicester Tigers 19

Steyn spots a gap and shows superb power to burst through it towards the corner but Hassall-Collins puts in a crucial tackle as the Glasgow man looked to offload, forcing the knock-on. 

Leicester are penalised at the scrum though inside of their own 22 and Glasgow can kick for the corner.

09:42 PM BST

Leicester coming back well

That might have been one of my favourite tries of the season had Pollard’s cross-field kick after the interception bounced up well for Kelly. Still, Leicester coming back well here, although you can’t imagine they will reel Glasgow in.

09:40 PM BST

TRY! Liebenberg reduces deficit further

Glasgow Warriors 38 Leicester Tigers 19 (Liebenberg) Glasgow remain camped in their own 22 following the latest Glasgow counter and are penalised for being offside at the breakdown. 

Leicester take it short and their captain Liebenberg forces his way over the line with some help from Carnduff.

The conversion is there and the deficit is down to 19 with 12 minutes left. Could they? 

09:37 PM BST

66 mins: Glasgow Warriors 38 Leicester Tigers 12

Pollard makes the interception with Glasgow coming forward and looks like he might run the lengh of the pitch but he doesn’t have the leg and he goes for the crossfield kick towards Kelly instead.

The Leicester man can gather it but is tackled and Glasgow survive the counter. 

09:35 PM BST

64 mins: Glasgow Warriors 38 Leicester Tigers 12

That spill from Kelly feels like a big moment with Leicester looking like they were building momentum but the deficit remains at 26 and Glasgow are now coming back for more.

The hosts threaten down the left and Horne is able to burst into the 22 with a burst of acceleration.

09:29 PM BST

59 mins: Glasgow Warriors 38 Leicester Tigers 12

Leicester should have another try as Steward shows excellent pace and power to drive through the Glasgow defence and create a two-on-one but Kelly spills the full-back’s perfect pass and the opportunity goes begging.

09:27 PM BST

TRY! Kata responds for Leicester

Glasgow Warriors 38 Leicester Tigers 12 (Kata) Leicester respond well to the latest try and have a rare flurry into Glasgow 22. 

The visitors earn the advantage as they go within five metres but they don’t need as Kata is picked out by a clever disguised pass before darting between a pair of Glasgow defenders for Leicester’s second try of the game.

The conversion is there and the deficit is back down to 26.

09:23 PM BST

TRY! Horne finishes superb Glasgow move

Glasgow Warriors 38 Leicester Tigers 5 (Horne) It’s another excellent move from Glasgow as they work it from left to right and Rowe shows excellent acceleration to burst through a hole in the Leicester defence to create a three-on-one. 

He finds the supporting Horne who gathers the ball well before crossing under the posts. It’s been a ruthless second half from the hosts.

Hastings converts with ease and the lead is up to 33.

09:20 PM BST

TRY! Hasting adds a fourth for Glasgow

Glasgow Warriors 31 Leicester Tigers 5 (Hastings) Following the line-out down their left, Glasgow move the ball swiftly out to the right flank.

Steward makes an excellent tackle to deny Steyn down Glasgow’s right but it’s quickly popped inside to Hastings who finds the gap for their fourth try.

The fly-half then converts. 

09:18 PM BST

49 mins: Glasgow Warriors 24 Leicester Tigers 5

Glasgow’s line-out isn’t straight, giving Leicester the scrum, but Zander Fagerson is dominant against Smith and he wins the foul for the hosts. 

Leicester are then penalised for a line-out infringement and Hastings can kick for the corner down Glasgow’s left.

09:14 PM BST

47 mins: Glasgow Warriors 24 Leicester Tigers 5

Glasgow do well to hold the Leicester maul up and they’ll have the put-in. But first, the referee warns Matt Fagerson about his antics after the decision was made.

The Glasgow attack comes to nothing and Hassell-Collins is able to come forward down Leicester’s right but he is forced into touch by McDowall.

09:11 PM BST

TRY! Vailanu crosses as Glasgow make dream start to second half

Glasgow Warriors 24 Leicester Tigers 5 (Vailanu) It’s a horror start to the second period for Leicester as Cracknell spills the restart and Van Poortvliet is forced beyond his own try-line, giving Glasgow the scrum five metres out.

It’s Venter who peels away from the scrum to take his side a metre short before Vailanu makes the pick and go to score his second try and his side’s third of the evening. 

The conversion is there once again from Hastings and the lead is up to 19.

09:07 PM BST

41 mins: Glasgow Warriors 17 Leicester Tigers 5

We are back underway at Scotstoun Stadium with Glasgow kicking things off going from left to right. Who will get the all-important next score?

A reminder that Henderson is in the sin bin for Leicester. 

09:04 PM BST

Last 16 scores and fixtures

Friday, 4 April

  • Northampton Saints 46-24 Clermont

Saturday, 5 April

  • Toulon 72-42 Saracens
  • Castres 39-37 Benetton
  • Leinster 62-0 Harlequins
  • La Rochelle 24-25 Munster
  • Glasgow Warriors 17-5 Leicester Tigers (HT)

Sunday, 6 April

  • Bordeaux-Begles v Ulster (12:30)
  • Toulouse v Sale Sharks (15:00)

09:01 PM BST

WATCH: Vailanu powers over for Glasgow’s second

08:55 PM BST

Deserved lead for Glasgow

Leicester had actually done well to keep it this close given Glasgow’s possession (76 per cent) and territory (72 per cent) in this half. 

With one obvious issue – they cannot get out of their half. Maybe playing with the wind will help, but, Glasgow are deservedly ahead.

08:55 PM BST

Half-time: Glasgow Warriors 17 Leicester Tigers 5

That penalty was the final action of this first half and it’s Glasgow who will be the much happier side at the break having gone behind early on. 

08:53 PM BST

Penalty! Hastings increases advantage late on in first half

Glasgow Warriors 17 Leicester Tigers 5 (Hastings) The pass is sprayed out to Jordan on the left flank and he beats three or four challenges to take his side 10 metres short.

Henderson is penalised at the breakdown and, due to the sheer accumulation of fouls from Leicester, he sees yellow.

The hosts opt to kick for the posts from a central position and Hastings converts with ease to extend Glasgow’s lead to 12. 

08:50 PM BST

40+1 mins: Glasgow Warriors 14 Leicester Tigers 5

Rowe fends off the challenges to take his side up the pitch but the move breaks down as Jordan knocks it on. 

Glasgow force the foul at the breakdown though following the scrum and the hosts will have one final chance at the end of this opening period as hey kick for the corner.  

08:47 PM BST

38 mins: Glasgow Warriors 14 Leicester Tigers 5

Steyn sees space on the outside and looks to be in down Glasgow’s right but Van Poortvliet recovers with an incredible tap-tackle to deny the winger after missing the initial challenge. 

A couple of minutes to go at the end of this first half. You feel Leicester will be happy to get to the interval with the scores as they are. 

08:44 PM BST

35 mins: Glasgow Warriors 14 Leicester Tigers 5

Leicester force the knock-on but there may be a check here for a high challenge by Kata on McDowall with his shoulder appearing to catch the face of the Glasgow man.

Play goes on though with the Leicester scrum on halfway. A series of kicks from either side follows.

08:41 PM BST

31 mins: Glasgow Warriors 14 Leicester Tigers 5

Leicester lose out from their own line-out on halfway and it soon opens up for Steyn to break towards the 22.

Jordan then finds another gap through some incredible footwork and darts through before offloading to Dobie down the left. 

Glasgow look to set to score but the winger’s offload inside to Horne is wayward under the tackle from Radwan. A crucial intervention from the Leicester winger.

08:34 PM BST

Penalties and errors costing Leicester

That early defence from Leicester was impressive – they were up to 44 tackles inside 10 minutes. But the run of penalties and errors since then, with the scrum struggling, is not ideal. 

08:33 PM BST

27 mins: Glasgow Warriors 14 Leicester Tigers 5

Smith is penalised in the breakdown and Glasgow kick for the corner. The home side maul well from the line-out before Leicester are penalised once again and they receive a warning from the referee over the amount of fouls they are committing.

It’s the same again from Glasgow as they maul for the line but this time Leicester are able to push them into touch. 

08:31 PM BST

24 mins: Glasgow Warriors 14 Leicester Tigers 5

Vailanu is enjoying a good couple of minutes as he wins the foul in the breakdown with Leicester coming forward and his side can find touch down their right. 

As Glasgow come forward, Ilione does well to force the turnover but possession is given up as Henderson knocks it on. 

There is going to be a TMO check for Ilione’s challenge though. Despite replays showing it was a shoulder-on-head collision, Matthews was falling as he went into the challenge, so it has been ruled as a rugby incident and no foul play.  

08:24 PM BST

TRY! Glasgow extend their advantage through Vailanu

Glasgow Warriors 14 Leicester Tigers 5 (Vailanu) Leicester lose out at their scrum in front of their own try-line and Vailanu pounces on the loose ball before charging through Kata to score Glasgow’s second try.

Hastings converts again and the hosts have a nine-point advantage. 

08:22 PM BST

19 mins: Glasgow Warriors 7 Leicester Tigers 5

McDowall darts through a hole in the Leicester defence and offloads to Horne who looks set to cross but Kelly does superbly to make a try-saving tackle. 

The hosts win the penalty though and kick for the corner. Glasgow are penalised though for separating the maul and Leicester have the scrum.

08:18 PM BST

TRY! Venter charges through for Glasgow try

Glasgow Warriors 7 Leicester Tigers 5 (Venter) Glasgow’s line-out from the left is overhit but Hastings does superbly to pounce on it and offload to Venter who charges through the Leicester defence to take his side level before Hastings converts to take the lead.

08:16 PM BST

YELLOW CARD! Van Poortvliet in the sin bin

Glasgow Warriors 0 Leicester Tigers 5 Van Poortvliet’s box-kick following the scrum is gathered by Dobie who senses a counter opportunity and he finds a gap to take Glasgow back into the Leicester 22. 

The visitors manage to force them back but are soon penalised for a knock-on and following a TMO check, Van Poortvliet sees yellow with the knock-on evidently a deliberate one. 

08:11 PM BST

11 mins: Glasgow Warriors 0 Leicester Tigers 5

Glasgow’s relentless pressure takes them a metre short before they win a penalty once again with Leicester offside at the breakdown. 

They kick for the corner down the left flank but following the line-out, it’s Leicester who come out on top this time and they will have the put-in at the scrum. 

08:09 PM BST

9 mins: Glasgow Warriors 0 Leicester Tigers 5

Glasgow kick for the corner before winning yet another penalty and they take this one short. The home side are pushing, five metres out but Leicester are holding strong, for now.

08:07 PM BST

6 mins: Glasgow Warriors 0 Leicester Tigers 5

Shortly after the restart, Wells gives away a silly penalty for an illegal clear-out and the hosts have the chance for an immediate response with a line-out in an identical position to Leicester’s moments before. 

Glasgow have the advantage as Hastings goes for the crossfield kick looking for Dobie but it has too much on it so play is brought back. 

08:04 PM BST

TRY! Cracknell with early try for Leicester

Glasgow Warriors 0 Leicester Tigers 5 (Cracknell) Less than 30 seconds into the game and Leicester win the scrum inside the Glasgow half. The visitors then win a penalty straight away as the scrum collapses and they decide to kick for the corner, down the right flank.

Leicester maul well from the line-out to go a metre short before Cracknell makes the crucial burst for the line to opening the scoring. What a start for Cheika’s men!

Pollard slices his conversion wide though.

08:01 PM BST

1 min: Glasgow Warriors 0 Leicester Tigers 0

We are underway at Scotstoun Stadium with Leicester kicking things off going from left to right. 

The referee this evening is Craig Evans of Wales.

07:57 PM BST

Kick-off approaching

We are less than five minutes away from kick-off now at Scotstoun Stadium. Which side will be progressing for a quarter-final with Leinster? The action begins shortly. 

07:54 PM BST

Wind could impact proceedings

It’s a chilly wind now blowing from east to west, might have a bit of an impact on goal-kicking. 

If I have this right, then Gloucester’s impressive win at Montpellier sets up a Challenge Cup quarter-final next weekend… away to Bath. That’s spicy.

07:52 PM BST

Final preparations

Glasgow's Kyle Steyn
Glasgow’s Kyle Steyn – PA/Andrew Milligan
Glasgow Warrior's coach Franco Smith
Glasgow Warrior’s coach Franco Smith – PA/Andrew Milligan

07:48 PM BST

Glasgow’s impressive run

Glasgow also come into this game in impressive domestic form, winning four of their last five games, most recently thumping Johannesburg 42-0. 

The only defeat in that run came by just a single point against Ospreys. 

07:45 PM BST

Leicester’s domestic form

Prior to their defeat against Saracens last time out in the Premiership, Leicester had found themselves in a nice run of form in all competitions, winning their previous four.

Admittedly, two of those came against Championship opposition in the Premiership Rugby Cup, but they were sandwiched between victories over Northampton Saints in the Cup and then in the Premiership, where they triumphed 33-0. 

07:42 PM BST

Glasgow win the toss

07:39 PM BST

Munster beat La Rochelle

Munster have just beaten La Rochelle 25-24 away from home to progress to the quarter-finals where they will take on Bordeaux-Begles or Ulster, who meet tomorrow. 

07:37 PM BST

Earning home tie ‘an important milestone’, says Smith

Glasgow head coach Franco Smith said this week: “We know what it takes to get involved in a game like this. 

“To have it at home is a real accolade and compliment to the whole environment that’s worked hard to put us in this position. It’s an important milestone but hopefully it motivates the players to make the next step here.

“We’ve just treated it like a normal week. It doesn’t need to be different. There is already enough expectation around this game. You shouldn’t overfill an already full cup.”

07:35 PM BST

Leicester’s pool stage

Leicester’s Champions Cup began with a 42-28 away at Bordeaux Begles but they made amends the following week with a thumping 56-17 victory over Sharks. 

They followed this up with a 38-10 triumph over Ulster before being blown away by Toulouse in the final game, losing 80-12 away from home. 

Toulouse's French lock Emmanuel Meafou (L) dives to score a try during the European Rugby Champions Cup match between Stade Toulousain Rugby (Toulouse) and Leicester Tigers
Leicester were beaten 80-12 by Toulouse in the pool stage – AFP/Valentine Chapuis

07:32 PM BST

On the prowl

Leicester Tigers arrive at Scotstoun Stadium
Leicester Tigers arrive at Scotstoun Stadium – Getty Images /Euan Cherry
Michael Cheika Head coach of Leicester Tigers
Michael Cheika Head coach of Leicester Tigers – Getty Images /Euan Cherry

07:29 PM BST

‘No easy games’, says Cheika

Leicester Tigers head coach Michael Cheika has said there are “no easy games” in the Champions Cup knockout stages ahead of this evening’s clash with Glasgow.

“Any time you reach the knockout stages of Europe, every team remaining is a chance and every team remaining is a quality side,” said Cheika.

“There are no easy games in Europe and that’s the case for us against the defending United Rugby Championship champions in their backyard.

“We are looking forward to this challenge and excited about Saturday’s game, travelling to Scotland for some knockout rugby.”

07:25 PM BST

Glasgow’s knockout record

Glasgow have reached the quarter-finals on two occasions, in 2017 under Gregor Townsend and 2019 under Dave Rennie, but on both occasions they were thumped by Saracens. Could they go one better this season? 

07:21 PM BST

Glasgow’s campaign so far

Glasgow’s Champions Cup campaign started with a 38-19 win at home over Sale Sharks before they were beaten by just one point away at Toulon a week later.

They got back to winning ways with a 29-19 victory over Racing 92 and despite a 24-7 loss away at Harlequins to conclude the pool stage, they progressed through in second. 

07:17 PM BST

The previous encounter

The sides last met in 2017 in the pool stage of the Champions Cup and it was Glasgow who romped to a 43-0 victory away at Leicester to progress to the quarter-finals.

07:13 PM BST

Tought test but chance for Tigers

Scotstoun Stadium currently bathed in sunshine with under an hour until kick-off, although there is a decent breeze.

This always felt like the best chance of an away win for the Premiership sides in the Champions Cup, although Glasgow are a serious outfit having cruised past the Lions 42-0 last week.

07:10 PM BST

At stake this evening

The winner of this evening’s tie will set up a quarter-final clash against Leinster following their thumping victory over Harlequins earlier today. 

Leinster's James Lowe (right) celebrates after scoring one of his side's 10 tries against Harlequins
Leinster’s James Lowe (right) celebrates after scoring one of his side’s 10 tries against Harlequins – PA/Brian Lawless

07:06 PM BST

Champions Cup last 16

Friday, 4 April

  • Northampton Saints 46-24 Clermont 

Saturday, 5 April

  • Toulon 72-42 Saracens 
  • Castres 39-37 Benetton 
  • Leinster 62-0 Harlequins
  • La Rochelle 10-22 Munster (L)
  • Glasgow Warriors v Leicester Tigers (20:00)

Sunday, 6 April

  • Bordeaux-Begles v Ulster (12:30)
  • Toulouse v Sale Sharks (15:00)

07:01 PM BST

Northampton only Premiership side through so far

Northampton were the only English side to secure a home tie after finishing top of Pool 3 and they took advantage of this as they swept aside Clermont Auvergne at Franklin’s Gardens on Friday night.

Saracens appeared to prioritise domestic success, resting key figures including Maro Itoje and Tom Willis for their away clash with Toulon earlier this afternoon and they were beaten 72-42.

Harlequins then took on four-time champions and United Rugby Championship leaders Leinster and were thumped 62-0 at Croke Park. 

Sale Sharks will have their work cut out when they make the trip to defending champions Toulouse tomorrow in the final match of the weekend. 

Northampton Saints' Tommy Freeman and Henry Pollock
Northampton Saints’ Tommy Freeman and Henry Pollock – AFP/Darren Staples

06:57 PM BST

Those teams in full

Glasgow Warriors: Rowe; Dobie, McDowall, Jordan, Steyn (capt); Hastings, Horne; McBeth, Matthews, Z Fagerson, Brown, Du Preez, M Fagerson, Vailanu, Venter.

Replacements: Stewart, Bhatti, Talakai, Samuel, Ferrie, Darge, Afshar, Cancelliere.

Leicester Tigers: Steward; Radwan, Kelly, Kata, Hassell-Collins; Pollard, Van Poortvliet; Smith, Theobald-Thomas, Cole, Henderson, Wells, Liebenberg (capt), Ilione, Cracknell.

Replacements: Clare, Van der Flier, Hurd, Manz, Carnduff, Youngs, Shillcock, Woodward.

06:53 PM BST

Four changes for Leicester

Michael Cheika has made four changes to his Leicester side from their Premiership defeat against Saracens with veteran prop Dan Cole among those to return.

06:49 PM BST

Three changes for Glasgow

Glasgow make three changes to the side which thumped Johannesburg Lions in their last league match with Matt and Zander Fagerson both coming back into the team.

06:45 PM BST

Preview: Last 16 clash marks milestone for Glasgow

Good evening and welcome to live coverage of the Investec Champions Cup last 16 as Glasgow Warriors welcome Leicester Tigers to Scotstoun Stadium. Tonight marks a historic occasion for the Scottish club who are hosting a knockout tie in the Champions Cup for the first time, after finishing second in Pool 4, just a point behind Toulon. 

Despite being one of four sides in the pool to lose twice, the four bonus points amassed by Glasgow meant they finished two points ahead of Sale in third and three ahead of Harlequins in fourth. Head coach Franco Smith has said this week it is a “real accolade” and “important milestone” for his side to have gained the home advantage this evening. 

The United Rugby Championship holders are also enjoying another positive season domestically, currently sitting second in the division, behind leaders Leinster, who they will face in the quarter-finals should they triumph this evening.  

It’s a similar story for Leicester in the Premiership, currently sat in third with five games to go, trailing Bristol and runaway leaders Bath. It’s been a season of ups and downs for Michael Chieka’s men with superb performances, such as their 33-0 thrashing of defending Champions Northampton Saints two weeks ago, combined with a lack of consistency, shown by their subsequent defeat to Saracens.

This theme has also been evident in Europe as they finished third in Pool 3 to progress to the last 16 but shipped 80 points against Toulouse in their final game of the pool stage. Chieka, who will depart from Leicester at the end of the season, will be expecting a fully-focussed performance this evening as the club pursue a third European title. 

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