Just a day after their head coach Anthony Foley was laid to rest, Munster return to Axel’s beloved Thomond Park to belatedly begin their Champions Cup campaign against early Pool 1 pacesetters Glasgow.
EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS CUP – POOL 1: Saturday, October 22
MUNSTER (2nd) v GLASGOW WARRIORS (1st), Thomond Park, 1pm (live Sky Sports 3 HD/FR2/beIN Sports/RTÉ Radio 1/highlights TG4)
Team News: Munster director of rugby Rassie Erasmus has made one change to the team originally named to face Racing 92 for Saturday’s European Champions Cup encounter with Glasgow Warriors at Thomond Park.
Having completed his return-to-play protocols for a concussion sustained against Leinster earlier this month, Keith Earls returns to the matchday squad and starts on the left wing.
Tyler Bleyendaal and Darren Sweetnam will make their European debuts as well South African Jaco Taute, while Munster Academy prop Brian Scott could also do so after being named on the bench.
The province’s head coach and former captain Anthony Foley will also be remembered by both players and supporters at Thomond Park – details of which can be found here. In tribute to Axel, the number 8 jersey will be retired for Saturday’s game. CJ Stander will wear number 24.
The last remaining Munster v Glasgow tickets can be purchased online here or from the Munster Rugby Ticket Offices at Thomond Park and Irish Independent Park.
In squad news, the province have also confirmed that scrum half Tomas O’Leary has joined French Top 14 outfit Montpellier on a four-month loan agreement.
Meanwhile, Sean Lamont and Alex Dunbar come into the Glasgow Warriors starting line-up for their trip to Limerick. Lamont replaces Leonardo Sarto on the right wing and Dunbar, who was a late withdrawal ahead of last weekend’s 42-13 victory over Leicester Tigers due to illness, will start at outside centre.
Sam Johnson joins Dunbar in midfield, while Rory Hughes maintains his place on the left wing and Stuart Hogg once again starts at full-back. Co-captain Henry Pyrgos and Finn Russell will again combine at half-back behind an unchanged pack.
Gordon Reid, who had a 100th cap to remember last Friday, is joined by Fraser Brown and Zander Fagerson in the Warriors’ front row. Tim Swinson and co-captain Jonny Gray start at lock with the back row of Rob Harley, Ryan Wilson and Josh Strauss completing the visitors’ side.
On the bench Italy international Simone Favaro could return to action for the first time since sustaining an injury against Leinster last month. Full-back Peter Murchie is also included this week, having been named among the replacements.
In-form wingers Tommy Seymour (back/illness) and Sarto (shoulder) are both unavailable, while Glasgow’s injury list also currently includes Rory Clegg (shoulder), Corey Flynn (hamstring), Chris Fusaro (knees), Ryan Grant (back), Peter Horne (hand), Tjiuee Uanivi (shoulder) and Richie Vernon (shoulder).
MUNSTER: Simon Zebo; Darren Sweetnam, Jaco Taute, Rory Scannell, Keith Earls; Tyler Bleyendaal, Conor Murray; Dave Kilcoyne, Niall Scannell, John Ryan, Donnacha Ryan, Billy Holland, Peter O’Mahony (capt), Tommy O’Donnell, CJ Stander.
Replacements: Duncan Casey, Brian Scott, Stephen Archer, Robin Copeland, Jack O’Donoghue, Duncan Williams, Ian Keatley, Ronan O’Mahony.
GLASGOW WARRIORS: Stuart Hogg; Sean Lamont, Alex Dunbar, Sam Johnson, Rory Hughes; Finn Russell, Henry Pyrgos (co-capt); Gordon Reid, Fraser Brown, Zander Fagerson, Tim Swinson, Jonny Gray (co-capt), Rob Harley, Ryan Wilson, Josh Strauss.
Replacements: Pat MacArthur, Alex Allan, Sila Puafisi, Lewis Wynne, Simone Favaro, Ali Price, Mark Bennett, Peter Murchie.
Referee: Jérôme Garcès (France)
Assistant Referees: Adrien Descottes, Sébastien Clouté (both France)
Television Match Official: Arnaud Blondel (France)
Match Odds (Paddy Power): Munster to win: 8/13; Draw: 19/1; Glasgow Warriors to win: 7/5
Pre-Match Quotes: Rassie Erasmus (Munster) – “From a Munster Rugby point of view, we wish to acknowledge and thank those that have expressed their sympathies and thoughts with us during this time and thank everyone for their thoughtful considerations – it has been quite overwhelming and is testament to Axel himself that we are hearing from all corners of the world, across all sports and walks of life. The great man touched so many hearts.
“One’s life is greater than any sport or sporting occasion, however Thomond Park held a special place in Axel’s heart, and as difficult as it will be to play the next game, no matter the time, opposition and venue, we have an opportunity to play there this Saturday; that is something that is hugely important to all of us and cannot be easily dismissed.
“Playing at Thomond Park further ties us to his memory and will be a chance for all, including our supporters and the community, to feel that connection and closeness to him at this time.”
Gregor Townsend (Glasgow Warriors) – “Anthony is such a huge loss for our game and a huge loss for Munster Rugby, so our thoughts go out to them and Anthony’s family.
“Bringing together the brilliant rugby supporters from Munster on Saturday will enable us all to remember what Anthony achieved, in a stadium that was built on his team’s successes in Europe.
“He was a key reason that Munster became a dominant force in European rugby and was also developing into a very good coach. Our players appreciate Anthony’s legacy at Munster and share in the shock that has been felt throughout our sport. We hope that the game will be a fitting tribute to Anthony and will bring out the best in both teams.”
Current Form – Munster – (GUINNESS PRO12): Won 23-13 v Scarlets (away), Lost 24-23 v Cardiff Blues (home), Won 20-16 v Newport Gwent Dragons (away), Won 28-14 v Edinburgh (home), Won 49-5 v Zebre (home), Lost 35-14 v Leinster (away)
Glasgow Warriors – (GUINNESS PRO12): Won 41-5 v Connacht (away), Won 33-25 v Leinster (home), Lost 23-19 v Cardiff Blues (away), Lost 22-17 v Ulster (home), Won 26-17 v Newport Gwent Dragons (home), Won 33-28 v Zebre (away); (Champions Cup): Won 42-13 v Leicester Tigers (home)
Top Scorers – 2016/17 European Champions Cup: Munster – Points: -; Tries: -; Glasgow Warriors – Points: Finn Russell 14; Tries: Leonardo Sarto 2
Previous European Meetings: 0
Match Facts –
– Munster and Glasgow will meet in Europe for the first time despite being two of just 10 teams to have played over 100 games in the competition
– Munster have won three of their four meetings against Scottish opposition in the European Cup, while Glasgow have lost seven of 10 against Irish opposition
– The 2006 and 2008 champions have lost just five of 68 home games in the competition (winning 63 of them)
– Glasgow won on their first trip to Ireland in the competition against Ulster in 1997, but have lost all four since by an average margin of 23 points
European Cup Records:
Munster –
2015/16: Failed to qualify from Pool 4
2014/15: Failed to qualify from Pool 1
2013/14: Reached the semi-finals
2012/13: Reached the semi-finals
2011/12: Reached the quarter-finals
2010/11: Failed to qualify from Pool 3
2009/10: Reached the semi-finals
2008/09: Reached the semi-finals
2007/08: Champions
2006/07: Reached the quarter-finals
2005/06: Champions
2004/05: Reached the quarter-finals
2003/04: Reached the semi-finals
2002/03: Reached the semi-finals
2001/02: Runners-up
2000/01: Reached the semi-finals
1999/00: Runners-up
1998/99: Reached the quarter-finals
1997/98: Failed to qualify from Pool D
1996/97: Failed to qualify from Pool D
1995/96: Failed to qualify from Pool D
Glasgow Warriors –
2015/16: Failed to qualify from Pool 3
2014/15: Failed to qualify from Pool 4
2013/14: Failed to qualify from Pool 2
2012/13: Failed to qualify from Pool 4
2011/12: Failed to qualify from Pool 3
2010/11: Failed to qualify from Pool 6
2009/10: Failed to qualify from Pool 2
2008/09: Failed to qualify from Pool 5
2007/08: Failed to qualify from Pool 4
2005/06: Failed to qualify from Pool 5
2004/05: Failed to qualify from Pool 3
2002/03: Failed to qualify from Pool 3
2001/02: Failed to qualify from Pool 5
2000/01: Failed to qualify from Pool 6
1999/00: Failed to qualify from Pool 1
1998/99: Failed to qualify from Pool D
1997/98: Reached the quarter-final play-offs
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