Glasgow 'outmuscled' as Bulls make 'strength in depth' pay

Glasgow Warriors missed out on a place in the United Rugby Championship final after losing 22-21 to South African visitors Bulls despite having established a 21-3 lead.

We asked for your views and Warriors fans were united in blaming a lack of squad depth in a match moved to Murrayfield Stadium because Scotstoun is being prepared for the Commonwealth Games. Here's a selection of your thoughts:

Hugh: Had the Bulls rocked back after 30 minutes but let them back in before half-time. [Scott] Cummings' yellow card was pivotal and, from then on, we were under pressure. No points in the second half tells the story of how the momentum shifted and the confidence drained away.

There's still a lot to be positive about at the season end. Glasgow Warriors are a professional rugby outfit, surviving on meagre resources in comparison to others but who have shown, this season in particular, that they are capable of living, and excelling no less, at the top table of European rugby.

Full credit goes to the players and the management over how they've deported themselves. It's been fantastic to watch.

Stuart: Bottom line is that Glasgow were outmuscled in the pack. No lack of effort and ambition, but when you are being smashed backwards phase after phase, it becomes very difficult to retain possession and threaten anything. Felt the bench failed to have any sort of impact when Glasgow needed a game-changer.

Alan: We lost as some experienced players' levels in second half dropped dramatically, like Cummings and [Jack] Dempsey, whereas young players like [Gregor] Hiddleston, Stephen Samuels and [Euan] Ferrie all did us proud and stayed strong.

Sadly, [Stafford] McDowall, who has been terrific all season, wasn't at it and we depended on Sione [Vailanu] far too much. The Bulls saw we had no threat at 10, which is an ongoing issue: Jamie Dobie did well after being out so long, but wee George [Horne] would have combined with Sonie and made life far more difficult for the Bulls.In terms of physicality we missed Gregor Brown, Alex Craig and Max Williamson against such opposition.

Roger: Gutted like the rest of the Warriors fans. Did strength in depth let us down? Jamie Dobie was magnificent for his first game back and thank goodness he was fit, otherwise Jack Oliver would have been thrown in at the deep end, good as he is.

None of their reserves weakened their team, where arguably ours did. We need some big game players in key positions to strengthen the squad.

Graeme: At this level, playing a team including 11 Springboks, the lack of in-depth physicality will always hurt. No Gregor Brown and Alex Williamson told in the second half. Injuries yet again crucial in a squad that is simply too small.

Dobie played well, but out for four months it was asking a lot to replicate a George Horne performance, which may well have delivered the X-factor moment that could have seen us through.

Still hugely proud of what Franco [Smith] and the team have achieved this season All deserve great credit for a fantastic effort.

Andrew: I think squad depth told. Franco only started using the bench at about 65 minutes. If he had real depth who were close to starters, he'd have gone earlier. The South Africans were just too big and too strong to not play the bench sooner.

Graeme: We have been lucky getting away with the amount of experience that had gone over the last few years, but in moments like early in the second half, it really shows. Also a quality fly-half is essential for next year.

Doug: It was always going to be a game of fine margins and not playing at Scotstoun and then losing Horne before kick-off could have been the difference. The fear now is the further depleted squad for next season will be less able to compete.

John: Disappointed Warriors ran out of steam. The essence of the season comes down to being a few player's short. No disrespect, but stand-off needs a quality injection.

The replacement forwards today couldn't match those they replaced.

Full credit to Dobie. His efforts first game back were remarkable, but the loss of Horne and Dobie cost the team.

Chris: Credit to the Bulls, the fact that so many of their bench can play front and back row to a very high standard meant that the second half was always going to be so tough. Four out of five finals shows their quality. Overall, Glasgow should be proud - so many players across the season have started to show their own credentials. Stay in and around the top four and perhaps another final and title won't be too far away.

Keith: A chastening defeat leaving nothing to show for what was an hugely impressive season up until the home straight. A case of birds coming home to roost after losing (or not being able to afford to retain) so many key players over the last couple of seasons. Despite doing great work bringing young players through, Glasgow simply need greater squad depth if they are to contend in one much less two competitions at the business end of the season.

Brian: Strange game. Played our usual brand in the first half and got our just reward for it; second half we got punished badly with the yellow and, after that, we forgot how to keep possession and gain some territory when that's all we needed to get a bit of composure back. We had the beating of them, but we just fell apart. Pressure, excitement, fear? Not sure, but it was a very poor second half for us.

Hope the players get a decent rest outside of the internationals and come back strong. Franco has some rebuilding to do, but we trust him but hope he's not too hamstrung by the SRU.

Jamie: Played well for 25 minutes before completely capitulating and offering nothing. A real slap in the face for all the fans who showed up in superb numbers. The referee also gave some dreadful calls against Warriors at crucial times and Adam Hastings was absolutely atrocious when he came on.

Ian: Glasgow really missed George Horne at nine but gave away too many penalties second half. Glad Hastings is moving on, he was way off the pace.

Bill: Knockout rugby is about winning the game. Not to kick the points in this match and the Toulon game cost us final places. I just don't understand it.

Jamie: Hastings playing like he's already in France - came on and concedes two penalties at crucial times.

Barry: It's plain and simple. It's a small squad who are not supported properly by SRU. The guys were out on their feet in second half. Also absolute disgrace not being able to play at Scotstoun. Powers that be have let this team down badly.