Glasgow Warriors returned to familiar form tonight as they put in a spirited performance against French champions and three-times Heineken Cup winners Toulouse.

After the game, head coach Sean Lineen said: “The players showed what playing for Glasgow is all about. They got stuck in.

“Our scrum was good. I thought Thom Evans was outstanding and Al Kellock led them really well. John Beattie and John Barclay were tireless in the back-row. Each and every one of the players put their hands up and showed passion and pride in playing for Glasgow Warriors. I’m really proud of the effort tonight.”

On the visitors, Lineen added: “Toulouse showed their class and they went through the gears at the end of the second half. They’re a class outfit. The tries were a little bit soft but the guys never stopped trying. We scored a great try and could’ve scored a couple more. They have a number of x-factor players, and every time they wanted to create space, every one of them knew how to do it.”

Glasgow opened up an early lead through the boot of stand-off Dan Parks, the Scotland international slotting two penalties, his second from the half-way line.

Thom Evans put in yet another dazzling performance on the left wing and he almost put Glasgow in the driving seat in the 16th minute. The ball was spun left and Lome Fa’atau chipped through the defence. Evans tried to scoop the ball and dive over the line but the wet conditions thwarted his efforts and he knocked on.

At the other end of the field, France stand-off David Skrela made the most of a Glasgow scrum that malfunctioned on their 22 line. Johnnie Beattie tried to pick and go but a spill ball was collected by Skrela who danced inside to touch down between the posts. He converted his own score.

Parks added his third penalty before the break to give the Warriors a 9-7 lead at half-time.

Toulouse snuck back in front two minutes into the second half as centre Maleli Kunavore slotted a drop goal.

The visitors then moved into top gear as they crossed the whitewash twice, firstly through Byron Kelleher then Yanick Jauzion, Skrela converting the second, to go 13 points clear with half an hour left to play.

However, once Lineen had made use of his entire bench, the Warriors came back within a converted score when Fa’atau touched down. Parks converted and the Warriors left the field holding their heads high after a powerful performance against formidable opposition.

Glasgow Warriors: Bernardo Stortoni; Lome Fa’atau, Max Evans, Graeme Morrison, Thom Evans; Dan Parks, Mark McMillan; Kevin Tkachuk, Dougie Hall, Ed Kalman, Dan Turner, Alastair Kellock CAPTAIN, Richie Vernon, John Barclay, Johnnie Beattie
Substitutes (all used): Pat McArthur, Moray Low, Tim Barker, Kelly Brown, Andrew Henderson, Colin Gregor, Ruaridh Jackson

Toulouse: Clement Poitrenaud; Manu Ahotaeiloa, Maleli Kunavore, Yannick Jauzion, Maxime Redard; David Skrela, Byron Kelleher; Daan Human, William Servat, Salvatore Perugini, Fabien Pelous, Patricio Albacete, Yannick Nyanga, Thierry Dusautoir, Shaun Sowerby
Substitutes: Alberto Vernet Basualdo, Jean-Baptiste Poux, Romain Millo-Chluski, Jean Bouilhou, Jean-Baptiste Elissalde, Cedric Heymans, Finau Maka