First meets second in Conference A of the GUINNESS PRO14 when Munster travel to Scotland for the first time this season to face familiar foes Glasgow Warriors, who are now coached by New Zealander Dave Rennie.
GUINNESS PRO14: Friday, September 22
GLASGOW WARRIORS (2nd, Con A) v MUNSTER (1st, Con A), Scotstoun Stadium, 7.35pm (live BBC Scotland/TG4)
Team News: In selecting his team for Friday’s GUINNESS PRO14 showdown with Glasgow Warriors, Munster director of rugby Rassie Erasmus has kept faith with largely the same side that has recorded three wins from three so far.
There is just one change this week with Rory Scannell set for his first start of the new season. Named at inside centre, the Ireland international will start alongside Chris Farrell for the first time.
Scannell’s fellow international, Dave Kilcoyne, has successfully rehabbed the knee injury he sustained during the recent home win over the Toyota Cheetahs and is included among the replacements.
In Munster’s past three clashes with Glasgow across all competitions, no more than three points have separated the sides. But with Munster just shading it on each occasion, the Warriors would love nothing more than to end the province’s unbeaten away run in the PRO14 – one that stretches back as far as the derby with Leinster at the Aviva Stadium last October.
One man who added to his try-scoring tally in the red jersey against the Ospreys last weekend was winger Darren Sweetnam, crossing in the 36th minute for his tenth Munster try in total. He expects the toughest of challenges at Scotstoun Stadium.
“It’s never easy playing away, but especially over there in Glasgow. There was little or nothing in our last number of games and we’ll need to build on the momentum we’ve gathered from the three wins leading into this weekend. Obviously we know them a lot from last season, but they are under a new head coach (Dave Rennie) so that brings more of an element of the unknown,” said the 24-year-old Sweetnam.
“We’re in a good place heading into this weekend. There’s a great environment and there’s some buzz playing for this team. The way are playing at the moment is great, we are seeing a lot more ball on the wing and as a player all you want is to get the ball as often as you can.
“We did a lot of work in pre-season on handling, backs and forwards alike, and thankfully we are seeing the results of that on the pitch so far this season. The forwards have been throwing passes like you’d see out the backs and that makes such a difference when you are trying to play an expansive game.
“As a back-three that helps our game also. And with the likes of the Lions players still to come back in, the competition for places will only get fiercer, which is what you want.”
Meanwhile, flanker and captain Ryan Wilson returns to the Glasgow Warriors side for their Conference A top of the table encounter with Munster at a sold-out Scotstoun. There are 7,351 spectators expected at the game.
Both sides have won their opening three fixtures in the PRO14 and Wilson is the only change to the pack that started Glasgow’s hard-fought 20-19 victory over Cardiff Blues at the Arms Park last Saturday.
Ali Price and Rory Hughes both return to the starting XV, as does Peter Horne who starts at inside centre. On the bench, Rob Harley is included for this first time this season having overcome an ankle injury. Sam Johnson and Leonardo Sarto are also named among the replacements.
GLASGOW WARRIORS: Ruaridh Jackson; Lee Jones, Nick Grigg, Peter Horne, Rory Hughes; Finn Russell, Ali Price; Jamie Bhatti, George Turner, Zander Fagerson, Tim Swinson, Scott Cummings, Ryan Wilson (capt), Callum Gibbins, Adam Ashe.
Replacements: Pat MacArthur, Alex Allan, D’arcy Rae, Brian Alainu’uese, Rob Harley, Henry Pyrgos, Sam Johnson, Leonardo Sarto.
MUNSTER: Andrew Conway; Darren Sweetnam, Chris Farrell, Rory Scannell, Alex Wootton; Tyler Bleyendaal (capt), Duncan Williams; Liam O’Connor, Rhys Marshall, Stephen Archer, Jean Kleyn, Billy Holland; Sean O’Connor, Tommy O’Donnell, Jack O’Donoghue.
Replacements: Niall Scannell, Dave Kilcoyne, John Ryan, Fineen Wycherley, Robin Copeland, James Hart, Jaco Taute, Simon Zebo.
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
Assistant Referees: Keith Allen, Lloyd Linton (both Scotland)
Television Match Official: Neil Paterson (Scotland)
Match Odds (Paddy Power): Glasgow Warriors to win: 4/5; Draw: 16/1; Munster to win: 11/10
Pre-Match Quotes: Rassie Erasmus (Munster) – “Last season we played Glasgow four times and with the exception of the (home Champions Cup) game in October, every game was so close. They have a brand new coach this season and there seems to be an excellent vibe there.
“New coaches always bring new energy and apart from that he’s a bloody good coach. I’ve witnessed him in action, seen his results and know what he can do. It looks like he’s coaching very much the same style as Gregor (Townsend).
“Away from home, and their 3G pitch – it’s going to be a hell of a challenge for us. We are always tempted to introduce them (the Lions players) on weekends like this, but we have to think about what’s coming around the corner with Cardiff, Leinster and then a return to Europe. It’s not a case of underestimating Glasgow I promise you, but we have to manage these guys carefully if we are to have them the whole season long.”
Dave Rennie (Glasgow Warriors) – “It’s a good litmus test for us. We’ll get a bit of an idea of where we’re at. Both sides are unbeaten and Munster have been a really strong side for years. It’s a good test and one we’re all looking forward to.
“We’ve created a lot of opportunities but not been clinical enough to turn them into points, so that’s our challenge this week. Rob (Harley) injured his foot in pre-season. It’s great to have him back in, he’s our most-capped player and jumped out of his skin to play so I’m looking forward to seeing the physicality that he brings.”
Top Scorers – 2017/18 GUINNESS PRO14: Glasgow Warriors – Points: Finn Russell 21; Tries: Lee Jones, Alex Dunbar 2 each; Munster – Points: Alex Wootton 25; Tries: Alex Wootton 5
2017/18 TEAM FORM: Glasgow Warriors – Played 3, Won 3, 13 Points; W 18-12 v Connacht (away), W 31-10 v Ospreys (home), W 20-19 v Cardiff Blues (away); Munster – Played 3, Won 3, 14 Points; W 34-3 v Benetton Rugby (home), W 51-18 v Toyota Cheetahs (home), W 21-16 v Ospreys (away)
RECENT LEAGUE MEETINGS:
Saturday, February 28, 2015 – Munster 22 Glasgow Warriors 10, Irish Independent Park
Saturday, May 30, 2015 – Final – Munster 13 Glasgow Warriors 31, Kingspan Stadium
Friday, October 2, 2015 – Munster 23 Glasgow Warriors 21, Thomond Park
Friday, February 19, 2016 – Glasgow Warriors 27 Munster 24, Rugby Park
Friday, December 2, 2016 – Glasgow Warriors 15 Munster 16, Scotstoun Stadium
Saturday, April 8, 2017 – Munster 10 Glasgow Warriors 7, Irish Independent Park
MATCH FACTS:
– Something will have to give in this game as Glasgow Warriors and Munster are the only two sides left in Conference A with a 100% winning record after three rounds
– The Warriors’ only defeat in their last five matches at Scotstoun Stadium was to Edinburgh in round 22 last season
– Munster’s only defeat in their last seven GUINNESS PRO14 matches was to the Scarlets in last season’s final in Dublin
– The Munstermen have not lost a regular season game in any competition since they visited Leicester in the Champions Cup in December
– The two sides met on four occasions last season in all competitions with Munster taking the spoils on each occasion, although in each of the last three Glasgow secured a losing bonus point
– Munster have won on their last two visits to Scotstoun Stadium
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