Magners Preview: Munster v Glasgow
Something will have to give at Musgrave Park on Saturday evening as two sides who have hit recent form go head to head – hosts Munster will be bidding to end their season with a fourth straight win, while Sean Lineen’s Glasgow side are chasing their fifth victory in a row.
MAGNERS LEAGUE: Saturday, May 12
MUNSTER (6th) v GLASGOW WARRIORS (7th), Musgrave Park, 5.30pm
Team News: Cork Constitution full-back Denis Hurley is one of two changes that Munster have made for the final game of the season against Glasgow Warriors.
The 22-year-old’s excellent form of late sees him rewarded with a place in the starting line-up for what will be his second start in a Munster shirt at senior level. He made his debut almost exactly a year ago at Stradey Park against Llanelli Scarlets.
The other change from the side that beat Edinburgh 35-9 last weekend is in the back row where Denis Leamy is preferred to John O’Sullivan, while Donncha O’Callaghan returns to the matchday squad having missed last weekend’s game due to a shoulder injury.
Meanwhile, visitors Glasgow have made five changes, including one positiona switchl, to the side that beat the Ospreys 29-26 at Hughenden last Friday.
Francisco Leonelli returns at full-back having withdrawn late ahead of the Ospreys game, Rory Lamont vacates the full-back berth in favour of the right wing while Graeme Morrison comes in for Andrew Henderson in the centre.
In the pack, Scott Lawson comes in at hooker for Fergus Thomson, with Donnie Macfadyen also taking over in the back row from John Barclay, who drops to the bench.
Munster: Denis Hurley; Anthony Horgan, Barry Murphy, Lifeimi Mafi, Ian Dowling; Ronan O’Gara, Tomas O’Leary; Federico Pucciariello, Frankie Sheahan, Tony Buckley, Mick O’Driscoll, Paul O’Connell (capt), Alan Quinlan, Denis Leamy, Anthony Foley.
Replacements: Denis Fogarty, Frankie Roche, Donncha O’Callaghan, John O’Sullivan, Brian O’Meara, Jeremy Manning, Mossie Lawlor.
Glasgow: Francisco Leonelli; Rory Lamont, Graeme Morrison, Scott Barrow, Thom Evans; Dan Parks, Graeme Beveridge; Justin Va’a, Scott Lawson, Moray Low, Andy Newman, Alastair Kellock (capt), Steve Swindall, Donnie Macfadyen, John Beattie.
Replacements: Fergus Thomson, Kevin Tkachuk, James Eddie, John Barclay, Andrew Wilson, Colin Gregor, Hefin O’Hare.
Referee: Hugh Watkins (Wales)
Touch Judges: Alan Rogan, David Wilkinson (both Ireland)
Team League Statistics: Munster: Top Points Scorer – Ronan O’Gara 79 (11 conversions and 19 penalty goals); Top Try Scorers – Denis Leamy 3
Glasgow: Top Points Scorer – Dan Parks 189 (4 tries, 26 conversions, 36 penalty goals and 3 drop goals); Top Try Scorer – Dan Parks, Thom Evans, John Barclay, Hefin O’Hare 4 each
Previous League Meetings:
October 24, 2003 – Munster 26 Glasgow 10, Musgrave Park
March 26, 2004 – Glasgow 12 Munster 37, Hughenden
October 9, 2004 – Glasgow 26 Munster 28, Hughenden
February 20, 2005 – Munster 25 Glasgow 19, Thomond Park
September 17, 2005 – Glasgow 32 Munster 10, Hughenden
February 18, 2006 – Munster 20 Glasgow 26, Thomond Park
September 15, 2006 – Glasgow 24 Munster 13, Hughenden
Match Facts:
– Munster have won their last three matches in the Magners League, and have been victorious in their last two games against Scottish opponents
– Glasgow Warriors have already won three matches more than they have ever won in a league season before
– The Warriors are going for a fifth successive victory this weekend to tie the Glasgow record in the competition
– The Warriors have won their last three encounters with Munster and have won back-to-back matches in Ireland at Connacht and Ulster