Jamie Bhatti to develop at Glasgow after Edinburgh cold shoulder

Glasgow assistant coach Kenny Murray paid tribute to Jamie Bhatti after he marked his 50th appearance for the club by scoring his second try in as many weeks.

The loosehead prop’s early touchdown proved decisive as the Warriors ground out a hard-fought 13-9 win over the Lions at Scotstoun on Saturday.

Remarkably, 28-year-old Bhatti – in his second spell with the club after short stints with Edinburgh and Bath – had not scored a try for Glasgow prior to last weekend’s win over Sharks.

Murray told the Warriors website: “He hadn’t scored a try up until last week, and now he’s got two in two games – he’s doubled up!

“It’s great for him. He’s a very well-liked member of the squad, and to reach 50 appearances is a good milestone for any player to achieve.

“He’s really enjoying being back at Glasgow after he didn’t get a lot of rugby along the M8, and you can see that in his play. I think he’s only going to get better and better.”

Glasgow were 10-3 up on the Lions after 16 minutes and looked set to pull away after making a strong start but the South African side soon gained the initiative and made the hosts, for whom Ross Thompson kicked eight points, work for their victory.

Murray was pleased that his side restricted their visitors to just three penalties, all kicked by EW Viljoen.

He said: “To not concede a try against as physical a side as the Lions is very pleasing.

“They’re a team who have a lot of threats across the park, so the boys can take real heart from that going into next weekend.”