Biarritz break Warriors' hearts

Glasgow Warriors led for 75 minutes in Biarritz, but the French side escaped with a thrilling late 21-14 victory at the Parc des Sports Aguilera.

Glasgow produced an almost super-human defensive effort to keep the French powerhouse at bay, while scoring on most of their rare visits into opposition territory.

Dan Parks kicked them ahead in the second minute and they looked for so long like earning an historic victory in France.

John Barclay's try ensured the Scot went in 11-6 ahead at the break, and the Warriors looked like holding that five-point advantage until the death.

Prop Justin Va'a was sin-binned five minutes before the end, and Biarritz took advantage with Samiu Vahafolau going over for the crucial try two minutes later.

To add insult to injury, Vahafolau went over again to add an unfair look to the scoreline after the hosts blocked Parks' attempted drop-goal in one last brave effort by Glasgow to win the game.

Good start

Glasgow skipper Parks kicked Glasgow in front after just a couple of minutes, and he repeated the dose on the 21-minute mark to extend the lead to six.

Barclay's breakaway try in the corner then had Glasgow in dreamland with an 11-0 lead, although Park could not add the extras as he missed the conversion.

Damien Traille eventually got Biarritz on the board just after the half-hour mark with his first penalty, with his second coming just before an hour had passed as Biarritz started to apply more and more pressure.

Glasgow responded immediately though by going down the other end before Park sent a drop-goal sailing between the posts to maintain the eight-point lead at 14-6.

Biarritz continued to press hard and Glasgow were forced to defend heroically, but defend they did despite looking tired due to the huge effort.

Traille kicked a third penalty on 65 minutes but, despite mounting attack after attack, Biarritz could not find a way through to the Glasgow line.

Sin-bin

The crucial moment came with just five minutes left as prop Va'a was sent to the sin-bin, giving Biarritz the ideal opportunity to break through.

Glasgow tried to hang on to inflict just a third home defeat in the competition on the 2006 finalists, but with time ticking away Vahafolau scrambled over from close range to level the scores.

Traille then broke Glasgow hearts as he sent the conversion over to put the French side ahead for the first time in the match at 16-14.

Glasgow bravely tried to hit back in stoppage time, with Parks lined up for a lengthy drop-goal, but his effort was blocked and Biarritz regained possession.

A long kick forward was eventually gathered by Tongo international Vahafolau and he bagged a second try to add an unfair gloss on the scoreline for Biarritz at 21-14.