With their own qualification hopes equally bleak, Glasgow were expected to roll over for their Welsh visitors as they had done in a 46-7 mauling at the Arms Park last weekend.

Instead, it was Cardiff who were routed, with Harris completely eclipsed by opposite number Tommy Hayes, who returned an impressive personal haul of 32 points.

Given little chance to shine by a smothering Glasgow defence, Cardiff also had to suffer the indignity of being outshone by another recruit from rugby league, Scotland centre James McLaren, who produced a dazzling attacking display after the Glasgow pack had got on top.

McLaren scored his side’s third try, effectively sealing the contest eight minutes after the interval, and would have guided Glasgow to an even wider margin of victory had they been able to take the almost constant stream of opportunities the former Wakefield man’s power had created.

Needing victory to maintain a realistic chance of qualification, Cardiff now need to win their last two matches and hope that unbeaten group leaders Montferrand fail to snatch another point.

As usual on their home patch, Glasgow were fired up from the first whistle.

They dominated the opening exchanges, allowing Harris only two attacking opportunities.

Tellingly, the former rugby league man created Cardiff’s opening touchdown with the latter.

Andrew Henry had been blasted into touch when his new team-mate found him on the first occasion he created space, but on the second, he had the strength to hold off Rory Kerr long enough to be able to reach over.

Although Harris could not convert, the score did give Cardiff some hope of gaining the win they so desperately required.

However, only a couple of blown chances at the other end, and the inconsistent boot of Tommy Hayes kept the Welsh side in touch.

Glasgow had gone in front when Hayes shrugged off the attentions of Anthony Sullivan, and darted home after the visitors’ pack had been sucked under the posts.

The Cook Islander converted his own try, then landed a penalty, before Harris replied.

But when full-back Rhys Williams dropped a simple Harris pass on halfway, Kerr hacked on and won the foot race to the line.

Hayes missed the conversion and two further penalty chances, although he did boot home another just past the half hour after the Cardiff defence had drifted offside.

Glasgow though, went into the half-time break ruing two tries which went begging, Roland Reid stepping inside and into trouble when he had a two-man overlap outside and prop Gordon McIlwham fumbling 10 metres from the Cardiff line after he had gallantly stormed upfield to support Jon Steel.

Cardiff briefly threatened a comeback when Harris landed a penalty a minute after the re-start.

But Glasgow quickly reinforced their superiority, Hayes landing a penalty before converting McLaren’s try.

Hayes had found his range, slotting over four more penalties to take Glasgow into an unassailable lead, even though Williams weaved his way out of his own 22 metre area and sprinted under the posts for the best try of the match.

With defences wilting, Pieter Muller and Roland Reid crossed at either end, before Harris strolled over to remind the home fans he was still on the pitch.