Smith said: “[Getting back top again] wasn’t the mission tonight, it’s just about getting back to what we do well. I knew it was going to be tough. Obviously we had planned to play in the European Cup semi-final so the tour of South Africa must be put in perspective. So, to come here tonight and just get back to some of the things we’re working on was better again. Obviously the crowd played its role so I’m happy with the result although I think there’s still a lot that we need to get confident in again.”

It wasn’t all positive, with Rory Darge going off with a rib injury and Sione Tuipulotu cramping up late in the game. But Smith hoped that by the time the quarter-final rolls around he will be close to being able to pick from a full squad for probably the first time this season.

He added: “It’s a rib cartilage injury [for Darge] so it’s a little bit of a contusion injury so it will all depend on how quickly he recovers. But it’s not that serious, it won’t keep him out for the rest of the season if I can put it that way. The aim is to have them all available for the quarter-final so there’s a couple of weeks to get them ready.”

Ollie Smith got a late run-out off the bench at No. 10 and Smith felt it could become a long-term home for the back-three regular. “I’m excited about the fact that he stepped up and it looks like he’s been playing there for a long time,” he added. “I’m very happy with that. I think he’s a good rugby player. The way we use our 10s and the way Tom Jordan stepped into that role, it’s similar. I think he can become a fly-off – or at least a back-up fly-off or an option there.”

This was always going to be an emotional night with six players saying their formal farewells before moving on in the summer. Two of those heading for the exit door even managed to mark it with tries. Jack Dempsey got Glasgow’s first, just moments after choosing not to send Kyle Steyn running clear down the left. The No. 8 made amends a few phases later as he stretched for the line.

Johnny Matthews went one better as he claimed two scores – Glasgow’s third and fourth on the night – to underline his cult hero status, both from the maul, although his first did also involve a bit of quick footwork that he’s always had in his armoury. Dempsey’s try was soon followed by a second claimed by Steyn, who scorched through a gap after being teed up by Dan Lancaster.

Josh Adams got one back soon after for Cardiff to briefly halt Glasgow’s momentum but there was little prospect of it leading to anything more substantial given Warriors’ determination to return to winning ways. Matthews’ tries either side of half-time made sure of that, although another Cardiff score from Danny Southworth again briefly interrupted Warriors’ overriding dominance.

There was still time for Glasgow to embellish the scoreline with two more scores. Patrick Schickerling got the fifth after a very lengthy TMO check before the sixth went to Kyle Rowe who motored around numerous defenders before dotting down under the posts. Cardiff never gave up and Jacob Beetham got their third late on but it was too little, too late on a big night for Warriors.

Teams –              

Glasgow Warriors: J McKay, K Steyn, S McDowall, S Tuipulotu, K Rowe, D Lancaster (O Smith 66), G Horne (B Afshar 66); J Bhatti (P Schickerling 55), J Matthews (G Hiddleston 59), Z Fagerson (S Talakai 57), A Miller, A Samuel (J Oguntibeju 69), M Fagerson (M Duncan 66), R Darge (S Vailanu 44), J Dempsey

Cardiff: C Winnett (I Lloyd 67), J Beetham, J Adams (R Jennings 41), B Thomas, T Bowen, C Sheedy, J Mulder (J Mulder 67); R Barratt (D Southworth 57), L Belcher (E Lloyd 57), K Assiratti (S Wainwrigh 57), J McNally (G Nott 32), R Thornton, J Botham, D Thomas (A Lawrence 67), T Basham

Referee: Eoghan Cross (IRFU)

Scorers –

Glasgow Warriors: Tries Dempsey, Steyn, Matthews 2, Schickerling, Rowe Cons Horne 4, Smith

Cardiff: Tries Adams, Southworth Con Sheedy

Scoring sequence (Glasgow first): 5-0, 7-0, 12-0, 14-0, 14-5, 14-7, 19-7, 21-7, (h-t), 26-7, 28-7, 28-12, 33-12, 38-12, 40-12, 40-17