Glasgow boosted by return of Test eight

Munster v Glasgow Warriors:THE QUIRKY incongruity of the Magners League fixture schedule is graphically illustrated using the Glasgow Warriors as an example. Last Thursday, shorn of their Scottish international contingent, they travelled to the RDS with largely a second string side and went down to a Leinster team only marginally less encumbered personnel-wise.

Tonight they travel to Limerick but represent a completely different prospect, bolstered by a returning eight internationals. Coach, Sean Lineen makes nine changes and a positional switch, and among those included are the Scottish halfbacks from Croke Park, Chris Cusiter and Dan Parks, and a backrow simply celebrated as the Killer Bs: Kelly Brown, John Barclay and Johnnie Beattie.

Considering the impact the aforementioned quintet enjoyed in Scotland’s victory over Ireland in the final round of Six Nations matches, their presence at Thomond Park is a massive fillip for the visitors. Graeme Morrison’s ability to make significant yardage beyond the gain-line and offer a target for the backrow going forward will be as valuable tonight as it was at Test level last Saturday. Munster coach Tony McGahan doesn’t quite have the same latitude to flood his line-up with box-office names.

He has to husband his resources over what is an important three-match run in Limerick that takes in next week’s clash with Leinster and then the Heineken Cup quarter-final against the Northampton Saints.

Paul O’Connell, John Hayes, David Wallace, Tomás O’Leary and Keith Earls won’t take part against the Warriors while Doug Howlett starts on the bench. McGahan makes eight changes, two positional, from the side that beat the Scarlets, significantly stiffening the backbone of the team.

Ronan O’Gara returns and will lead the team with Donncha O’Callaghan, Tony Buckley, Alan Quinlan, Denis Hurley and Lifeimi Mafi lending the side a greater physicality. It’ll be a cherished asset in a match that pits two teams, level on points in third and fourth place respectively in the table, against one another. The winner tonight will take a significant step towards the play-offs.

Lineen admitted: “Munster remain the team in the Magners League in terms of consistency. It’s great to have our Scotland players back and the squad is full of enthusiasm. Every game is now a Grand Final. Munster’s forwards are very unforgiving and there is a fantastic atmosphere at Thomond Park. The players need to look forward to the whole occasion and enjoy it.”

Munster are unbeaten in their last 16 matches in Limerick in all competitions while Glasgow have lost their last four but that defeat at the RDS last time out was the Scottish side’s first in their last five matches on the road.

The tussle up front will be pivotal to the outcome, the set pieces an integral part of that confrontation but it’s difficult to ignore the feeling that this game could be shaped by whichever backrow gets on top. It promises to be a fascinating duel.

Ireland’s tormentor-in-chief at Croke Park, Dan Parks is in fine form both with the boot and in general play but he like his counterpart O’Gara will be reliant on the platform provided to run the patterns. Jean de Villiers has been a standout in terms of form – ditto Paul Warwick – and will relish the physical nature of the challenge presented by Glasgow’s inside centre Morrison.

Munster will probably attempt to put a little structure on the game, looking for territory and trying to tie down the Glasgow backrow before shifting the ball wide. They’ll want to work the opposing pack hard, probing on the fringes to get that momentum that would guarantee their backs front foot ball and the little bit of extra space and time that comes with it. The home side invariably react positively in the tougher environments and this definitely is one of those.

A victory tonight would set them up nicely for a crack at their neighbours and current league leaders, Leinster, when the latter arrive in town in seven days’ time. Munster’s defence of their Magners title will be shaped appreciably during that period.

MUNSTER:P Warwick; D Hurley, L Mafi, J de Villiers, I Dowling; R O'Gara (capt), P Stringer; M Horan, D Fogarty, T Buckley; D O'Callaghan, M O'Driscoll; A Quinlan, N Ronan, J Coughlan. Replacements: D Varley, D Ryan, B Holland, N Williams, D Williams, T Gleeson, D Howlett.

GLASGOW WARRIORS:B Stortoni; P Murchie, M Evans, G Morrison, DTH van der Merwe; D Parks, C Cusiter; J Welsh, D Hall, M Low; R Gray, D Turner; K Brown, J Barclay (capt), J Beattie. Replacements: F Thomson, K Tkachuk, T Barker, R Vernon, M McMillan, C Gregor, H O'Hare.

Referee:James Jones (Wales).

Last meeting (Sept 2009): At Firhill – Glasgow Warriors 22 Munster 9.

Leading points scorers: Munster – Paul Warwick 36. Glasgow – Dan Parks 138.

Leading try scorers: Munster – Nick Williams, Jean de Villiers 4 each. Glasgow – Thom Evans 4.

Verdict: Munster to win.