Leinster retain Pro14 title to spoil Hogg farewell

Stuart Hogg endured a painful Glasgow Warriors farewell as Leinster retained their Pro14 title with an 18-15 victory in the rain at Celtic Park on Saturday.

Hogg was determined to join Exeter Chiefs on the back of a triumphant swansong in the Warriors’ home city, but Leinster came from behind to be crowned champions for a sixth time.

Matt Fagerson’s try put Glasgow in front, but Garry Ringrose touched down moments later after long-serving Warrior Hogg’s kick was charged down from the restart. 

Cian Healy’s try and eight points from the boot of Johnny Sexton was enough to seal back-to-back Pro14 titles for Leo Cullen’s side a fortnight after they were beaten by Saracens in the European Champions Cup final.

Hogg was replaced 14 minutes from time, having clattered his head into the turf after being taken out by Rob Kearney in the air, and Grant Stewart’s late five-pointer proved to be in vain.

FULL-TIME AND LEINSTER DEFEND THEIR CROWN @GlasgowWarriors almost produced a dramatic late comeback but @leinsterrugby had just enough and retain their #GuinnessPRO14 title  pic.twitter.com/sSjUhzzjzj

— PRO14 RUGBY (@PRO14Official) May 25, 2019

The vast majority of a record 47,128 crowd were out of their seats when Fagerson ploughed his way over from close range for a try that Adam Hastings converted after 15 minutes.

Their celebrations were cut short when Luke McGrath charged down Hogg’s attempted clearance and the alert Ringrose was on hand to grab a gift of a try, which Sexton was unable to convert.

Glasgow suffered a blow when Fraser Brown was carted off with a knee injury after Hastings was on target from the tee and Healy put the Irish province in front for the first time by steamrolling his way across the line with the Warriors under the pump.

Sexton’s penalty gave the holders a 15-10 lead at the break and added another three points with Kyle Steyn in the sin bin.

Glasgow defended magnificently to keep Leinster at bay but they were rocked by another setback when Hogg was withdrawn looking shaken after Kearney collided with him when he took a high ball.

There were boos when Nigel Owens showed a yellow rather than a red and, although Stewart charged over wide on the right flank, Leinster held on to deny Glasgow with Hogg watching on from the sidelines.

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