Montpellier result sets up Glasgow for future challenges, says Townsend

Victory means the Warriors sit top of Pool 4 in the European Champions Cup, and are well placed in the GUINNESS PRO12 too where they trail leaders Ospreys by three points.

Five Finn Russell penalties were enough to secure Glasgow a famous win across the Channel and Townsend believes he is one of a number of young players who will benefit from the experience with Toulouse next up in Europe.

"It was a really good result, I'm very proud of the players' effort," Townsend told glasgowwarriors.org.

"To play in front of a noisy crowd who were really getting behind their team and to show composure when it was needed and to show discipline in defence but also really strong tackling was very pleasing.

"Toulouse have won two out of two as well and what a team they are. They have the biggest budget in world rugby with the best record in Europe in terms of winning titles so we can't wait.

"We knew today would be great learning for our guys - whether we won or lost - and we've got some great young players in our quad such as Jonny Gray, Finn Russell and Mark Bennett, so for them to play in France they will be better players for the experience.

"To have won is even better because they know what is required and the decisions we have to make to win games and we can't wait to go back to France in six weeks."

Next up for Glasgow in the GUINNESS PRO12 are Benetton Treviso at Scotstoun on Friday night, and Townsend is aware how important the game is ahead of a fortnight of international action.

"It's a massive game on Friday," added Townsend. "It'll be our seventh league game of the season so a third of the season will be complete going into the international break.

"Treviso gave a us a few problems out in Italy and we know we'll need to play much better than we did out there.

"We've got 20 players away for the first part of the week at training camps with Scotland and Fiji, but we have strong depth to our squad and that is really pleasing."

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