Match Preview | Munster

A clash with one of the United Rugby Championship’s heavyweights lies in store for Glasgow Warriors this weekend, as playoff-chasing Munster come to Scotstoun for what promises to be a titanic encounter.

The men in red currently sit fifth in the URC standings, with a game in hand over the sides above them and a squad packed with talent across the board.

They sit two points behind the Warriors, though, who will themselves be looking to build upon the hugely impressive 42-20 victory away to Connacht last time out.

With the Warrior Nation set to reacquaint themselves with Munster for the first time since 2018, the stage is set for a Friday night showdown in Glasgow’s west end.

“How excited are you for Friday?”@ryanwilson89:

?️ https://t.co/odq7oUD9KG pic.twitter.com/BNU7qiXWxn
— Glasgow Warriors (@GlasgowWarriors) February 9, 2022

Previous Encounter

The two sides have met just once since the 2018/19 season, with Munster coming away with a 27-13 victory behind closed doors at Scotstoun in November 2020.

Billy Holland and Fineen Wycherley crossed for the visitors in a physical opening 40, Glenn Bryce replying with a well-worked score for the Warriors.

Grant Stewart’s try with 15 minutes to play had Glasgow chasing a comeback victory, only for Gavin Coombes and Jean Kleyn to wrap up the points for the Munstermen.

Ones to watch

He might now be one of the more experienced figures in the Munster squad, but Simon Zebo continues to play with the enthusiasm and exuberance with which he has donned the red jersey throughout his two spells at the club. The 32-year-old recently became Munster’s all-time leading try-scorer in European competition, the latest accolade in a distinguished career.

A powerful ball-carrier across the back-row, Jaco O’Donoghue recently passed 150 appearances in the red shirt of Munster. Capped twice by Ireland, the Waterford native has crossed for three tries this season in an impactful campaign to date.

Jean Kleyn may have been omitted from the Ireland squad, but the second-rower is quietly going about an industrious campaign in the engine room. A tackle success rate of 97% highlights the work he puts in on a defensive front, starting six of Munster’s URC fixtures so far this season.

Memorable Moment

There’s only really one choice when picking out a memorable moment for Glasgow Warriors from previous meetings with Munster, and it’s one of which the Warrior Nation will need no reminder.

After all, the performance in the 2015 Guinness PRO12 Final will live long in the memory, as Glasgow Warriors claimed a first-ever trophy with a 31-13 win over the men in red.

Rob Harley, DTH van der Merwe, Henry Pyrgos and Finn Russell crossed the whitewash for the Warriors, with the celebrations lasting long into the night in Belfast.

Match officials

Gianluca Gnecchi will take charge of proceedings under the Friday night lights, as the Italian referees his 12^th match in the competition.

Keith Allen and David Sutherland will be his assistants at Scotstoun, with Neil Paterson on duty as the Television Match Official.

Ticket information

There are still tickets available for the seismic URC clash on Friday night, on what promises to be an action-packed evening at Scotstoun.

With the Calcutta Cup on display in the Clubhouse pre-match and club centurion Ruaridh Jackson returning to present the match ball, be sure to secure your seat!