RP12 Semi-Final 1; Glasgow vs Munster, 16 May

Glasgow Warriors v Munster Rugby

Friday 16 May 2014, KO: 19:35
Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow

Live on BBC ALBA/TG4/SC4

Referee: Marius Mitrea (FIR, 29th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Giuseppe Vivarini, Stefano Penne (both FIR)
Citing Commissioner: Dennis Jones (WRU)
TMO: Carlo Damasco (FIR)

A. Teams:

I. Glasgow

15. Peter Murchie
14. Sean Maitland
13. Mark Bennett
12. Alex Dunbar
11. Tommy Seymour
10. Finn Russell
9. Chris Cusiter

1. Ryan Grant
2. Dougie Hall
3. Jon Welsh
4. Jonny Gray
5. Al Kellock (Captain)
6. Rob Harley
7. Chris Fusaro
8. Josh Strauss

16. Pat MacArthur
17. Gordon Reid
18. Geoff Cross
19. Tim Swinson
20. Leone Nakarawa
21. Niko Matawalu
22. Ruaridh Jackson
23. Sean Lamont

II. Munster

Felix Jones, Keith Earls, Casey Laulala, James Downey, Simon Zebo; Ian Keatley, Conor Murray; Dave Kilcoyne, Damien Varley - Capt, BJ Botha; Dave Foley, Paul O'Connell; CJ Stander, Sean Dougall, James Coughlan.

Replacements: Quentin MacDonald, James Cronin, John Ryan, Donncha O'Callaghan, Paddy Butler, Duncan Williams, JJ Hanrahan, Andrew Conway.

B. Previous Championships

I. Glasgow

None

Playoff Record - Played 3, Lost 3:
2010 Swansea: lost to Ospreys 5-20
2012 RDS: lost to Leinster 15-19.
2013 RDS: lost to Leinster 15-17.

II. Munster

Three (2002-2003; 2008-2009; 2010-2011)

Playoff Record - Played 3, Won 1, Lost 2:
2010 RDS: lost to Leinster 6-16.
2011 Thomond Park: beat Ospreys 18-11.
2012 Swansea: lost to Ospreys 10-45.

C. Form - head to head:

23 Played 23
8 Wins 14
14 Losses 8
1 Draws 1
44 Tries 57
31 Conversions 41
59 Penalties 51
1 Drop Goals 1
462 Points 523
26 Avg. Age 26

D. Form - this season & last:

Sat 1 December 2012, 19:45
Munster Rugby 31 - 3 Glasgow Warriors
Thomond Park

Fri 29 March 2013, 20:05
Glasgow Warriors 51 - 24 Munster Rugby
Scotstoun

Fri 25 October 2013, 19:35
Glasgow Warriors 6 - 13 Munster Rugby
Scotstoun

Sat 12 April 2014, 18:30
Munster Rugby 5 - 22 Glasgow Warriors
Thomond Park

Wot, no photos?!   

We need a strong ref for this one - Nigel Owens pse.  Although Rolland was rather good last night but tbh nothing contentious in a hammering.  

My effort but it is increasingly difficult :-

15 Hogg
14 Maitland
13 Dunbar
12 Horne
11 Seymour
10 Russell
9 Cusiter (Capt)
8 Strauss
7 Fusaro
6 Harley
5 Gray
4 Nakarawa
3 Welsh
2 MacArthur
1 Reid or Grant -bloody hell tricky one

Cross, Hall, Grant/Reid, Swinson, Weir, Matawalu, Murchie, Bennett

Tbh, C21st, if you want a strong ref, then go with Rolland over Owens - the latter loves a free-flowing game and will ignore quite a bit to ensure that, which might not be to Glasgow's advantage? Rolland may be pernickity, but again, that might be better for Warriors

Yes ASBO we really owe Munster big time after their 'performance' last time at Scotstoun, which was a complete disgrace.

BTW Niko has a dislocated thumb - bummer - probably did it pushing Hoggy out the way to score his hack on !

On the Matawalu incident I think Hogg was in the right, it was clear that Hogg would score, had done more work in the build up and was on a hat-trick so I think he has every right to feel aggrieved

For next week I'd go with

15. Hogg
14. Maitland
13. Bennett
12. Dunbar
11. Seymour
10. Russell
9. Cusiter
8. Strauss
7. Fusaro
6. Harley
5. Gray
4. Swinson
3. Welsh
2. MacArthur
1. Grant

16. Reid
17. Hall
18. Cross
19. Nakarawa
20. Wilson
21. Matawalu
22. Horne
23. Lamont

21st Century Schizoid Man wrote:We need a strong ref for this one - Nigel Owens pse.  Although Rolland was rather good last night but tbh nothing contentious in a hammering.  

My effort but it is increasingly difficult :-

15 Hogg
14 Maitland
13 Dunbar
12 Horne
11 Seymour
10 Russell
9 Cusiter (Capt)
8 Strauss
7 Fusaro
6 Harley
5 Gray
4 Nakarawa
3 Welsh
2 MacArthur
1 Reid or Grant -bloody hell tricky one

Cross, Hall, Grant/Reid, Swinson, Weir, Matawalu, Murchie, Bennett

Yes it is very difficult to pick a team. I don't think this one will be far away though. I would probably go Dunbar/Bennett in the centre though. I would not be unhappy with that pack, but would prefer Swinson to start with Big Naka coming on for impact. Grant will start as well, which will be tough on Gordy as he has been playing very well. I would go for Lamont, Niko and Horne for the 3 back bench spots. Again tough on Murchie, but despite being a very solid full back, he does not give the same impact. It is start or nothing for him and Hogg has to start. That just leaves a back rower on the bench, which will be Wilson if fit, Holmes if not.

Numbers' team probably has a better balance but who covers 10 - Pete Horne ?

I was thinking Jackson but Pete Horne covers 10-13 and possibly 15 too, Lamont just about covers 12-15 and Matawalu covers 9,11,14 and 15

Very, very tough to pick a team. What a great position to be in.

My own personal selection would be:

15. Hogg
14. Maitland
13. Bennett
12. Dunbar
11. Seymour
10. Russell
09. Cusiter

08. Strauss
07. Fusaro
06. Harley
05. Gray
04. Swinson
03. Welsh
02. Hall
01. Reid

16. Grant
17. MacArthur
18. Cross
19. Nakarawa
20. Wilson
21. Matawalu
22. Jackson
23. Horne

For reasons of fitness, I just cannot put Peter Horne back into the starting XV, much as I would love to. Dunbar and Bennett is big, strong and with the razzle dazzle it's going to take to beat the Irish big two.

Most of this team is determined by the substitution strategy that has seen us come on so strongly in the last quarter of matches so often this season. I think that Reid (as the younger man, and in great form) should start, with Grant coming on to steady the ship if necessary. I would start with Hall as the heavier man and the better lineout operator. Welsh is nailed on for me and I think that the Scrum Doctor's ability to do a shift on both sides nudges Jerry Yanu out. Gray and Swinson is a perfect combination for me and our loose forwards choose themselves.

Niko and Big Naka are ultimate impact subs and I think that we need Jackson on the bench to up the tempo if we have no other option. The other subs choose themselves, mainly for their flexibility.

I really think that we have enough to win this.

I've just booked my travel tickets, Scotstoun here I come    

The other thing I want to say is that if we get through to the final, we absolutely have to accept that there will probably be injuries. Guys like Murchie, Kellock and Horne need to stand ready.

I wouldn't know where to begin picking a side. Weepee, Grant and Hornee were all superb last night. Big Naka was outstanding. Yet they could all miss out on a start  

Put your trust in Toonie, you know it makes sense.  

After watching Munsters last two home games against Glasgow and then against us last night I have to ask- do Munster really care about this competition? They really put European competition up on a massive pedestal and you often wonder whether they care about this at all. Every year they pour all their energies into Europe, they are Captain Ahab and the Heineken Cup is their white whale. The Pro12 is, by comparison, a loveable porpoise of a competition. They looked like they could be barely bothered to show up in those last few league games, they were seriously off-colour and uncharacteristically sloppy.

It would be just like Munster to suddenly click into gear having yawned and half-assed their way through the final stages of the regular season but I don't know... you listen to the noises coming out of the Glasgow camp and this is massive for them. They've never made the knockout stages of the ERC so this is a really big deal for them and their fans. You listen to Ulster and Leinster and there is disappointment and hurt about losing in the European knock outs but there's real desire to salvage something out of the season. Okay, winning the league isn't the main objective but it's still a trophy at the end of the day. You can guarantee that they will go as hard as they can next weekend.

Munster aren't talking about the Pro12 at all. They don't seem that interested in it. I know if they make the final their enmity with the other provinces will motivate them but will they care enough to hit top gear against a highly motivated and talented Glasgow side? Could go either way to be honest.

I know what you mean, Notch, but these are all very competitive beasts. All four teams will give it their all. TBH I can't see anything between any of them. I think Glasgow have momentum but I'm not sure about the other three. Both matches are anyone's I think.
So much wisdom and insight   

Jimbo - there's a job for you as a Sky rugby pundit if you want it.  

The teams with momentum at the moment are Ulster and Glasgow.

Funny how we have momentum when we lost to Leinster just last week, but that was a strange game. It was a missed opportunity for sure. I suspect it will be very close. Leinster no longer have the extra touch of class that set them apart from the chasing pack or the clinical edge that allowed them to edge games when second best but they still are fighters and difficult to put away.

You know how the Friday Night Lights tag goes. "Full hearts, 15 men on the pitch for 80 minutes, clear heads- can't lose, so long as there are 15 men on the pitch for 80 minutes."

Contentious, but I'd pick big Al for this one!

Pair him with Gray.

I just think he galvanises the team and they are going to need to be absolutely up for this one.

RDW, you are beginning to see the light.
GC, will you be at Scotstoun on Friday? I need someone to cast an eye over the contract Sky have sent me. I don't fancy "bunking up" with Barnsey on away jaunts. Nor "sharing a packed lunch" with Scott Quinnell.
Does it matter who Toonie picks?
so long as there are 15 men on the pitch for 80 minutes."
.

RDW_Scotland wrote:Contentious, but I'd pick big Al for this one!

Pair him with Gray.

I just think he galvanises the team and they are going to need to be absolutely up for this one.

I don't think so. I think it was significant that he subbed Swinson, who is an 80 min player and left Kellock, who is not, on the pitch, it is a six day turnaround as well. Kellock needs to remain on standby though, as said it is going to be a very physical encounter and it is highly unlikely that everyone will make it through to the final should we get there. Whoever plays though, they represent the whole squad who have all played their part.

jimbopip wrote:RDW, you are beginning to see the light.
GC, will you be at Scotstoun on Friday? I need someone to cast an eye over the contract Sky have sent me. I don't fancy "bunking up" with Barnsey on away jaunts. Nor "sharing a packed lunch" with Scott Quinnell.
Does it matter who Toonie picks?
so long as there are 15 men on the pitch for 80 minutes."
.

FES will sort you out, Jimbo.

He is a master at marking up the "don't make fun of Jiffy" clause into something practically workable.

So who'll be at Scotstoun on Friday, then?   

Notch wrote:After watching Munsters last two home games against Glasgow and then against us last night I have to ask- do Munster really care about this competition? They really put European competition up on a massive pedestal and you often wonder whether they care about this at all. Every year they pour all their energies into Europe, they are Captain Ahab and the Heineken Cup is their white whale. The Pro12 is, by comparison, a loveable porpoise of a competition. They looked like they could be barely bothered to show up in those last few league games, they were seriously off-colour and uncharacteristically sloppy.

It would be just like Munster to suddenly click into gear having yawned and half-assed their way through the final stages of the regular season but I don't know... you listen to the noises coming out of the Glasgow camp and this is massive for them. They've never made the knockout stages of the ERC so this is a really big deal for them and their fans. You listen to Ulster and Leinster and there is disappointment and hurt about losing in the European knock outs but there's real desire to salvage something out of the season. Okay, winning the league isn't the main objective but it's still a trophy at the end of the day. You can guarantee that they will go as hard as they can next weekend.

Munster aren't talking about the Pro12 at all. They don't seem that interested in it. I know if they make the final their enmity with the other provinces will motivate them but will they care enough to hit top gear against a highly motivated and talented Glasgow side? Could go either way to be honest.

I was disgusted with last nights performance by Munster. Seriously need to take a good look at themselves. Bunch of  losers no pride in the jersey and an awful way to sign off on Penney's time in charge, just disrespectful.
Glasgow should walk this not because of munsters poor performances but because they are playing well, are consistent and have a real desire to win the pro12. Plus I believe they are better, even if Munster perform like they did against Toulouse or parts of the game against Toulon. I think the Munster players  actually believe they are better than what they are...

21st Century Schizoid Man wrote:Yes ASBO we really owe Munster big time after their 'performance' last time at Scotstoun, which was a complete disgrace.

BTW Niko has a dislocated thumb - bummer - probably did it pushing Hoggy out the way to score his hack on !

What disgrace..the soccer supporters the histrionics from the Glasgow players, the front row who were told not to push before the scrum was set but were to thick to understand or the fact that you got beat and were all crying about it like a big bunch of jessies

The antics of Murray acting like a total fud - see he tried it again v Toulon and managed to get a player carded, time wasting, O'Callaghan needs a massive slap from Jedi or Big Naka for his poncing about That apart all good clean fun. I can assure you it will be a very different Scotstoun than in November.  

Ah yeah DOC is great at winding people up... managed to upset the whole stadium that night, more of the same for the semi

Just wait and see !

jimbopip wrote:So who'll be at Scotstoun on Friday, then?   

I'll be there with big gin-soaked bells on, bud!

Forecast is dry and warm for most of the week, so be prepared for some running, manic-offload madness!

Mr Bru, perhaps a small refreshment may be in order.My team;
15. Hogg
11. Maitland
12. Dunbar
13. Bennett (Horne impact sub)
14. Seymour
10. Russell (Jacko on bench)
9. Cooseater (Niko for impact)
8. Wilson
7. Fozzie
6. Bluto (Harley)
5. Gray
4. Swinson (Naka impact sub)
3. Angela
2. WeePee
1. Grant
Shrek, Hall, Cross as subs

Of cousre Toonie has had the team for this game filed for some time now. It's only us amateurs who are still guessing.

After the Bluto fella my fave is Hornee furra Linnee so he has to at least bench. Jacko over Wee Dunky ? Duncan had a good game yesterday but against very limited opposition. Jacko is playing the best I have ever seen the guy play. Does he really have to go ? What about Al K ? He is Mr Glasgow along with the Jedi ? Also think Big Ginja Boab must start at 6 with the Blutomeister at 8. Ryan W can bench. Dougie H can come on after 60 and cool things line out time.
Wee Toonie has some big shouts to make !

Johnny Gray - rabo young player of the season!   

Well done Johnny Gray - awesome season ! Should have been in the Rabo team too btw !

RDW_Scotland wrote:Johnny Gray - rabo young player of the season!   

Do you have a link for that RDW? Or is this just your opinion? Not that this doesn't carry a lot of weight down the bingo hall.

Twitter - it is the rabo awards in Edinburgh tonight.

Aha, found it. Tommy Seymour won try of the year too.


And this is a good photo. No hard feelings lads:

Biggar won Player's Player of the Year.... 

WTF are they in Edinburgh as none of the (Bokke) locals are likely to get a mention tbh

Good stuff Jimbo!

I've gone for:
15. The Diva (Murchie to bench)
14. No Maits
13. His Holiness
12. Mr Dream Team
11. Tennessee Tam
10. 'The Muscle' Russell (Wacko Jacko to bench)
9. Cooositah (Niko to bench)

8. Bluto (Jedi to bench)
7. Fozzy
6. Ginger Ninja
5. Big Niko if dry/Swinsonian if wet (the other to bench)
4. Gray minimus
3. Angela (Doctor Jazzy Geoff to bench)
2. Dougie (Wee Pee to bench)
1. Shrek (Roddy to bench)

IanBru wrote:Good stuff Jimbo!

I've gone for:
15. The Diva (Murchie to bench)
14. No Maits
13. His Holiness
12. Mr Dream Team
11. Tennessee Tam
10. 'The Muscle' Russell (Wacko Jacko to bench)
9. Cooositah (Niko to bench)

8. Bluto (Jedi to bench)
7. Fozzy
6. Ginger Ninja
5. Big Niko if dry/SwinsonianMuseum if wet (the other to bench)
4. Gray minimus
3. Angela (Doctor Jazzy Geoff to bench)
2. Dougie (Wee Pee to bench)
1. Shrek (Roddy to bench)

Just the one correction for you, Bru

So you would have jacko benching over clootie dumpling?

Jacko is more of a game changer than DW, who is more of a game controller.

This thread is now completely incomprehensible
I am hoping for tickets for the game

Good TJ - Scout Hall for pre-match cocktails ?

Alas if it was Saturday I would be there with bells on, but cannot make it on Friday   

I see that Ibrox or Kilmarnock's Rugby Park (fitting) has been touted as the possible location for the final should Glasgow and Ulster win.

I'm assuming Ibrox would be more popular with the fans? Would be a shame to take the game out of Glasgow!

Notch wrote:After watching Munsters last two home games against Glasgow and then against us last night I have to ask- do Munster really care about this competition? They really put European competition up on a massive pedestal and you often wonder whether they care about this at all. Every year they pour all their energies into Europe, they are Captain Ahab and the Heineken Cup is their white whale. The Pro12 is, by comparison, a loveable porpoise of a competition. They looked like they could be barely bothered to show up in those last few league games, they were seriously off-colour and uncharacteristically sloppy.

It would be just like Munster to suddenly click into gear having yawned and half-assed their way through the final stages of the regular season but I don't know... you listen to the noises coming out of the Glasgow camp and this is massive for them. They've never made the knockout stages of the ERC so this is a really big deal for them and their fans. You listen to Ulster and Leinster and there is disappointment and hurt about losing in the European knock outs but there's real desire to salvage something out of the season. Okay, winning the league isn't the main objective but it's still a trophy at the end of the day. You can guarantee that they will go as hard as they can next weekend.

Munster aren't talking about the Pro12 at all. They don't seem that interested in it. I know if they make the final their enmity with the other provinces will motivate them but will they care enough to hit top gear against a highly motivated and talented Glasgow side? Could go either way to be honest.

Just after we lost to Toulon and having the post match chat I turned to my brother and said well we must go on and win the Rabo - his response was was "listen the season is over". Its all about the HC. As much as I wanted to disagree with him he was right.

RDW_Scotland wrote:Alas if it was Saturday I would be there with bells on, but cannot make it on Friday   

I see that Ibrox or Kilmarnock's Rugby Park (fitting) has been touted as the possible location for the final should Glasgow and Ulster win.

I'm assuming Ibrox would be more popular with the fans? Would be a shame to take the game out of Glasgow!

i honestly think that Ibrox has too much baggage associated with it - I'd much prefer to see the game played at Rugby Park if that scenario comes to pass

Never thought I would ever write this, but Rangers need all they help that they can get and it's at least a venue fitting for a Scottish grand final. Trust me, I've been to Rugby Park a lot over the years and it would be a hugely Scottish (i.e. insipid and depressing) affair.

I thought that the issue with Ibrox was that the pitch just isn't wide enough.

Munster fans - feel free to chip into this thread yourselves, by the way.  

Rugby park capacity is less than 20k i think.
Surely with visiting fans and folk from Edinburgh wanting to see a Scottish team win there would be more than that for a final?

Although ideally I would prefer Hampden, the Ibrox pitch must be fine if they are playing the 7s there at the Commonwealth Games.

Rugby Park is 18.1k.

I know it isn't great playing at an Old Firm stadium, but this is a rugby crowd we're talking about here.

The only thing they need to worry about is the 'local' kids offering people a quid to look after their car during the game.

Some words of wisdom - give them the quid and tell them there's 2 quid for them if the car is untouched when you get back!

Munster need to have a long, hard look at themselves in the mirror.

Despite all the waffling about fighting on 2 fronts and giving the league respect it seems we have not moved on one bit from the 'HC or bust' attitude which has pervaded everything in recent years.

Saturday evening was not just substandard but an insult to the thousands of fans who showed up in the wind and rain to support their team in their last home match of the season.

The performance was so bad indeed that the squad couldn't even come back out to acknowledge the fans at the end as many clubs do in their last home match.

It's about time that Munster realise that they can only win 2 tournament each year and the league deserves the same respect and degree of professionalism as the HC.

Disgusted.