Munster and Glasgow Warriors meet for the first time since last May’s one-sided GUINNESS PRO12 final, with Anthony Foley’s men fired up to extend their unbeaten start to the new season.
GUINNESS PRO12: Friday, October 2
MUNSTER (3rd) v GLASGOW WARRIORS (9th), Thomond Park, 6pm (live Sky Sports 3 HD)
Team News: Munster head coach Anthony Foley has named his team to face Glasgow Warriors at Thomond Park on Friday. In total, there are eight personnel changes to the side that defeated the Ospreys over a fortnight ago.
An all-new front row sees James Cronin and Stephen Archer start alongside hooker Duncan Casey, with Archer and Casey both making their first starts in this season’s GUINNESS PRO12. Archer also draws ever closer to the 100-cap milestone for the province and will make his 99th Munster appearance this weekend.
Mark Chisholm and Dave Foley again form the second row partnership with the returning CJ Stander, stationed at number 8, the only change in the back row. Dave O’Callaghan and Jack O’Donoghue continue as the blindside and openside flankers respectively.
Duncan Williams and Ian Keatley return at half-back with Tyler Bleyendaal switching to inside centre for the first time, while the New Zealander will be partnered in midfield by Academy talent David Johnston who is set for his second league start.
The only change in the back-three sees Gerhard van den Heever (pictured below) make his first PRO12 appearance of the season, starting on the left wing. Andrew Conway continues on the right flank with Felix Jones captaining the side from full-back.
At half-time, Munster’s victorious Women’s and age-grade (Under-19 and Under-20) Interprovincial teams will be honoured on the pitch, while the 1978 Munster team that defeated the All Blacks will also be in attendance.
The team of 1978 will present a cheque to St. Munchin’s Community Centre with all funds raised through royalties from Guinness’ ‘Made of More’ TV commercial which featured Munster’s now infamous win over New Zealand.
In celebration of the event, fans are also invited to a Rugby World Cup after-party in the Guinness Dugout Bar where New Zealand v Georgia will be screened live at 8pm.
Munster v Glasgow Warriors tickets from just €;20 for adults and €;7 for juniors can be purchased online here, from the Munster Rugby Ticket Offices at Irish Independent Park and Thomond Park, or by calling 0818 719 300.
Meanwhile, Glasgow Warriors boss Gregor Townsend has handed the captaincy to Rob Harley with Hugh Blake, starting at centre, and tighthead prop D’arcy Rae both making their first competitive starts for the club.
Scotland international Rory Hughes will play at full-back, while Lee Jones and Junior Bulumakau have been named on either wing. Fraser Lyle will partner Blake in the centre after the pair combined well in the win over Connacht last time out. The half-back pairing will be Rory Clegg and Grayson Hart.
In the front row, Alex Allan and Rae will combine along with Pat MacArthur at hooker.
Harley and Scott Cummings are named in the second row and in the back row, Tyrone Holmes and Chris Fusaro link up with Adam Ashe at Number 8.
Among the replacements is out-half Gregor Hunter, who could make his first competitive appearance for the Warriors after overcoming injury. BT Sport Scottish Rugby Academy back Robbie Fergusson is also named on the bench after making his debut in the season opener against the Scarlets.
MUNSTER: Felix Jones (capt); Andrew Conway, David Johnston, Tyler Bleyendaal, Gerhard van den Heever; Ian Keatley, Duncan Williams; James Cronin, Duncan Casey, Stephen Archer, Mark Chisholm, Dave Foley, Dave O’Callaghan, Jack O’Donoghue, CJ Stander.
Replacements: Mike Sherry, Dave Kilcoyne, BJ Botha, Robin Copeland, Jordan Coghlan, Cathal Sheridan, Rory Scannell, Shane Monahan.
GLASGOW WARRIORS: Rory Hughes; Junior Bulumakau, Hugh Blake, Fraser Lyle, Lee Jones; Rory Clegg, Grayson Hart; Alex Allan, Pat MacArthur, D’arcy Rae, Rob Harley (capt), Scott Cummings, Tyrone Holmes, Chris Fusaro, Adam Ashe.
Replacements: Fergus Scott, Jerry Yanuyanutawa, Zander Fagerson, Kieran Low, James Eddie, Mike Blair, Gregor Hunter, Robbie Fergusson.
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)
Assistant Referees: Nigel Correll, John Carvill (both Ireland)
Television Match Official: Marshall Kilgore (Ireland)
Pre-Match Quotes: Anthony Foley (Munster) – “Glasgow are down 20-odd players. The Scarlets went up there and did very well to win, but even then Glasgow could have pipped them at the end even though 11 points down with five minutes to go.
“They still had an opportunity to win with the last play of the game. That says a lot about their character, their make-up and the playing group they have.
“It’s always a tussle with them as you can see from results so far. You may think they’re out of the game but they’re not.”
Gregor Townsend (Glasgow Warriors) – “The players have been really positive in our last two games, taking the play to the opposition. They also showed huge character to find a way to win against Connacht in our last GUINNESS PRO12 match and we’re expecting another tough encounter with Munster.
“We were able to give our players a run-out against the British Army last weekend, which was a valuable experience and has helped maintain momentum.
“Munster are a top class side, but we’ve prepared well and we’re excited about the challenge which lies ahead.”
Top Scorers – 2015/16 GUINNESS PRO12: Munster – Points: CJ Stander 15; Tries: CJ Stander 3; Glasgow Warriors – Points: Rory Clegg 18; Tries: Glenn Bryce 2
RECENT LEAGUE MEETINGS:
Friday, October 25, 2013 – Glasgow Warriors 6 Munster 13, Scotstoun Stadium
Saturday, April 12, 2014 – Munster 5 Glasgow Warriors 22, Thomond Park
Friday, May 16, 2014 – Semi-final – Glasgow Warriors 16 Munster 15, Scotstoun Stadium
Saturday, December 20, 2014 – Glasgow Warriors 21 Munster 18, Scotstoun Stadium
Saturday, February 28, 2015 – Munster 22 Glasgow Warriors 10, Irish Independent Park
Saturday, May 30, 2015 – Final – Munster 13 Glasgow Warriors 31, Kingspan Stadium
MATCH FACTS:
– Munster’s only defeat in their last nine GUINNESS PRO12 fixtures was 31-13 to Glasgow Warriors in last season’s final in Belfast
– The Munstermen have won their last nine matches (at both of their home venues) since Clermont Auvergne beat them at Thomond Park last December
– Glasgow Warriors have begun the defence of their PRO12 crown with a loss and a win at Scotstoun Stadium in the first two rounds
– The Warriors have won their last five contests with Irish provinces since their 34-all draw with Leinster at the RDS in March
– Munster’s only victory in their last five encounters with Glasgow was 22-10 in this equivalent fixture last season, played in Cork
– The Warriors have won twice before in Limerick: in February 2006 and on their last visit in April 2014
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