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

First topic message reminder :

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

Townsend interview here by thescore.ie

http://www.thescore.ie/gregor-townsend-coach-glasgow-munster-1464975-May2014/

Re Murchie/Hogg, I think GT should grab a Fosters for this call.

Hogg's certainly a unique, natural talent when in form but recently he's just seemed well, a bit off. Some of his passes have gone behind or just been wayward. His running has been hazardous, prone to getting turned over. Also he's not been wholly convincing under the high ball. Yes he played well vs Zebre but that was Zebre...

Compare this to Murchie, who I can't recall any blemish, and GTs made a good call. We've got enough potency in our backs so we can afford - and need - a Mr reliable at FB.

When you think it over it does make sense and isn't because of any "rift". Also, even if you put Hogg on the bench, do you really want to give up a slot to replace a FB? I.e Lamont at least covers wing & centre.

Quickly regarding Kellock, for me he reminds me of the comic value the great Dear Chunk had so I'm happy he's playing. Glasgow will have a good core of leaders in Kellock, Strauss, Cusiter and Gray & Fusaro, not to mention Lamont who I'd expect won't want to easily surrender his spot to the youngsters for next season.

- - - -

Glad others saw that Scrum V episode. I was fuming. Honestly glasgow have "no big names"! Interesting the Welsh big names weren't good enough to get to the top 4...

Must say it got me thinking and I do worry for Welsh fans they don't realise they are probably in for one Michael Bradley of a downturn. None of the Welsh leagues looked like they were in the class of the top 4 ATM IMO.

Their style of play, really pre 2011, has been easily defeated by the SH - who you need to beat to win a RWC... Given Wales are going down rather than up it seems unlikely they'll beat the Aussies.

Also the lack of depth is being cruelly exploited. Mike Philips will be soon getting his pension yet who really stands out as a future 9? And the back row is in tatters. The squad looks more like the team that played Japan by the day...

With England playing good rugby, with plenty of depth, there's a real and likely chance Wales won't qualify from their RWC group. Also I really can't see the ospreys overtaking Glasgow or the Irish 3 anytime soon.

The promise of 2012 is really fading unfortunately, and this Glasgow team "full of scots" and with "no big names" could be the backbone of a side that qualifies from the pool stage. Ha.

(Going to enjoy the SA games )

All very well but Cusiter is off to Sale.  But yes this is Scotland the New you are watching probably plus Scott and er..... thats it really.

Interesting piece in Hootsmon by David Ferguson:

FEARS that Stuart Hogg’s days as a Glasgow Warriors player may be coming to an end were heightened yesterday when he was omitted from the squad for tonight’s RaboDirect Pro 12 play-off clash against Munster at Scotstoun Stadium.

Peter Murchie has been handed the No 15 jersey instead, and there is little doubt, based on recent form, that he deserves an opportunity to play in the biggest game in the club’s history, with his defensive resilience and solidity under the high ball likely to be vital in the face of an inevitable Munster bombardment.

However, the fact that Hogg has not even been named amongst the replacements is bound to be taken as the strongest hint yet that the relationship between the player and head coach Gregor Townsend is on the rocks.

Townsend said: “We pick what we think is the right team to win a game and reward players in form.

“Stuart knows he has probably not had enough rugby in that period [the last eight weeks]. We are in a great situation at full-back and Peter Murchie was outstanding against Edinburgh and very good when he came on at the weekend. Stuart has played well, but has not been able to have a full game with his back injury. That’s one reason he has missed out.”


The critical flaw in the logic of this explanation is that Sean Lamont has been named on the bench, despite the fact he has only managed 80 minutes of rugby (in a hopelessly one-sided match against Zebre last Saturday) since injuring ligaments in his knee playing for Scotland against France in early March.

Last weekend’s match was Hogg’s second game back after an extended lay-off due to suspension followed by a hamstring injury. He scored two scorching first-half tries against Zebre and would have had a hat-trick had he beaten Niko Matawalu in a race to the ball as it bobbled in the in-goal area. He was replaced at half-time with the explanation given that he had a stiff back – however, there is no suggestion that injury was a factor in this week’s team selection.

Hogg has been linked with a move to Ulster and a number of English clubs are thought to be interested in the 21-year-old. Townsend has so far refused to discuss the issue, apart from pointing out that the player has another season left on his contract and acknowledging that talks over his future beyond that have begun.

Given that Ulster are apparently prepared to double the player’s salary, the possibility of buying out his current contract is not that fanciful.

Hogg is not the only high-profile player to miss out this weekend. Duncan Weir, who was Scotland’s first choice stand-off throughout the Six Nations, also failed to make the cut. Youngster Finn Russell will be at No 10 instead, with Wasps-bound Ruaridh Jackson on the bench.

“Finn has grabbed his opportunity over the season. During the Six Nations, he came on against Cardiff and played very well and started the following week. He has played really well at inside centre, too. On each occasion he has taken his opportunity,” added Townsend.

“I’m delighted for him. He had a great summer in New Zealand last year and we got fantastic reports, then he came back and played a lot of good rugby for Ayr this season.

“He has always had a good base – good catch-pass, good evasion on the ball and he is a really good tackler, one of our best in the backline. He has brought that into composed performances for us.

“Duncie [Weir] played well at the weekend, and he played well when we beat Munster away. It is really more a credit to what Finn has done,” the coach added.

Russell will be supported by a highly physical centre partnership of Alex Dunbar, who has moved from outside to inside centre, and Mark Bennett – which can be taken as an indication that Townsend is expecting a battle of attrition.

“Alex is an outstanding player, one of the best for us and Scotland this season. He won our defensive award last week and scored a good try – although he maybe dived too early – and looked good in attack. It was a big decision who to play beside him. We felt that Mark is in a rich vein of form,” explained Townsend.

“We have to prepare for two games. Munster are very good at mixing things up. Rob Penney [the Irish team’s coach] introduced a way of playing that is unique in the northern hemisphere with his wide-to-wide rugby.

“They passed the ball most last season, which is very different to the past. But they have mixed that up with the traditional Munster game. You have forwards running hard at you, especially as they get further up the pitch and closer to the try line. We have to be aware that both games will go on, but also that the breakdown is the crucial area. They’re going to try to win quick ball and slow down our ball.”

With Munster likely to push the laws to the limit, club captain Al Kellock got the nod ahead of Tim Swinson in the second row. The 32-year-old will be determined to fight fire with fire when he lines up opposite the talismanic Paul O’Connell, and his rapport with referee Marius Mitrea could be crucial in a tight battle.

Notch wrote:To be fair George, Glasgows lack of progress in the Heineken Cup undermines them in the eyes of many. I know what a fine team they are, but they need to be hitting the knockout stages of Europe on a regular basis to get the more widespread respect they deserve.

I tend to agree, Notch - that is the pinnacle of European club competition, and respect is earned throughout Europe by success in it

George Carlin wrote:Interesting piece in Hootsmon by David FergusonBarnes:

FEARS that Stuart Hogg’s days as a Glasgow Warriors player may be coming to an end were heightened yesterday when he was omitted from the squad for tonight’s RaboDirect Pro 12 play-off clash against Munster at Scotstoun Stadium.

Peter Murchie has been handed the No 15 jersey instead, and there is little doubt, based on recent form, that he deserves an opportunity to play in the biggest game in the club’s history, with his defensive resilience and solidity under the high ball likely to be vital in the face of an inevitable Munster bombardment.

However, the fact that Hogg has not even been named amongst the replacements is bound to be taken as the strongest hint yet that the relationship between the player and head coach Gregor Townsend is on the rocks.

Townsend said: “We pick what we think is the right team to win a game and reward players in form.

“Stuart knows he has probably not had enough rugby in that period [the last eight weeks]. We are in a great situation at full-back and Peter Murchie was outstanding against Edinburgh and very good when he came on at the weekend. Stuart has played well, but has not been able to have a full game with his back injury. That’s one reason he has missed out.”


The critical flaw in the logic of this explanation is that Sean Lamont has been named on the bench, despite the fact he has only managed 80 minutes of rugby (in a hopelessly one-sided match against Zebre last Saturday) since injuring ligaments in his knee playing for Scotland against France in early March.

Last weekend’s match was Hogg’s second game back after an extended lay-off due to suspension followed by a hamstring injury. He scored two scorching first-half tries against Zebre and would have had a hat-trick had he beaten Niko Matawalu in a race to the ball as it bobbled in the in-goal area. He was replaced at half-time with the explanation given that he had a stiff back – however, there is no suggestion that injury was a factor in this week’s team selection.

Hogg has been linked with a move to Ulster and a number of English clubs are thought to be interested in the 21-year-old. Townsend has so far refused to discuss the issue, apart from pointing out that the player has another season left on his contract and acknowledging that talks over his future beyond that have begun.

Given that Ulster are apparently prepared to double the player’s salary, the possibility of buying out his current contract is not that fanciful.

Hogg is not the only high-profile player to miss out this weekend. Duncan Weir, who was Scotland’s first choice stand-off throughout the Six Nations, also failed to make the cut. Youngster Finn Russell will be at No 10 instead, with Wasps-bound Ruaridh Jackson on the bench.

“Finn has grabbed his opportunity over the season. During the Six Nations, he came on against Cardiff and played very well and started the following week. He has played really well at inside centre, too. On each occasion he has taken his opportunity,” added Townsend.

“I’m delighted for him. He had a great summer in New Zealand last year and we got fantastic reports, then he came back and played a lot of good rugby for Ayr this season.

“He has always had a good base – good catch-pass, good evasion on the ball and he is a really good tackler, one of our best in the backline. He has brought that into composed performances for us.

“Duncie [Weir] played well at the weekend, and he played well when we beat Munster away. It is really more a credit to what Finn has done,” the coach added.

Russell will be supported by a highly physical centre partnership of Alex Dunbar, who has moved from outside to inside centre, and Mark Bennett – which can be taken as an indication that Townsend is expecting a battle of attrition.

“Alex is an outstanding player, one of the best for us and Scotland this season. He won our defensive award last week and scored a good try – although he maybe dived too early – and looked good in attack. It was a big decision who to play beside him. We felt that Mark is in a rich vein of form,” explained Townsend.

“We have to prepare for two games. Munster are very good at mixing things up. Rob Penney [the Irish team’s coach] introduced a way of playing that is unique in the northern hemisphere with his wide-to-wide rugby.

“They passed the ball most last season, which is very different to the past. But they have mixed that up with the traditional Munster game. You have forwards running hard at you, especially as they get further up the pitch and closer to the try line. We have to be aware that both games will go on, but also that the breakdown is the crucial area. They’re going to try to win quick ball and slow down our ball.”

With Munster likely to push the laws to the limit, club captain Al Kellock got the nod ahead of Tim Swinson in the second row. The 32-year-old will be determined to fight fire with fire when he lines up opposite the talismanic Paul O’Connell, and his rapport with referee Marius Mitrea could be crucial in a tight battle.

Credit where credit is due, GC

And from Al Reid in the Torygraph:

Glasgow coach Gregor Townsend chooses Peter Murchie over Lion Stuart Hogg for semi-final clash


By Alasdair Reid, Scottish Rugby Correspondent

He has a recent Lions tour under his belt and a number of top clubs chasing him, but there is still no place for Stuart Hogg in the Glasgow Warriors starting line-up for Friday evening’s RaboDirect Pro12 semi-final match against Munster at Scotstoun.

Instead, Peter Murchie is at full-back as Glasgow chase their dream of a first appearance in a major final. Murchie lacks Hogg’s alacrity in attack, but he is seen as a better player in defence, with a particular strength under the high ball.

Even so, it is a big call to omit Hogg, who does not even have the consolation of a place on the bench.

The decision by Gregor Townsend, the coach, provokes suspicion that he has been unimpressed by Hogg’s excitable ways recently, and that he might not trust the player to retain a cool head in the febrile atmosphere of a home play-off.

However, the coach batted away that suggestion, explaining that a niggling injury and lack of game time – the consequence of Hogg’s sending off when playing for Scotland against Wales – had swayed the decision against the 21-year-old.

“Stuart knows he has probably not had enough rugby,” Townsend said. “We are in a great situation at full-back and Peter Murchie was outstanding against Edinburgh and very good when he came on at the weekend.

"Stuart has played well, but he has not been able to have a full game with his back injury. We pick what we think is the right side to win a game.”

While one fans’ favourite is left out, another has fared rather better. With the emergence of Tim Swinson and Jonny Gray as full international players over the past 12 months, there was an impression that long-serving captain Al Kellock was slipping down the second-row pecking order at Glasgow, but Townsend has decided that the 32-year-old’s experience will add composure in what is likely to be a fraught contest.

Even if Kellock’s powers as a player have waned a little, he is acknowledged as probably the best leader of a Scottish club side during the professional era.

With Paul O’Connell as Kellock’s direct opponent, Townsend agreed that hard-nosed rugby nous had swayed the decision. He also admitted that his captain’s communication skill, particularly with referees, had been a factor.

Kellock is the sole survivor from the Warriors’ starting XV for the first-ever Pro12 semi-final – against Ospreys – in 2010.

The side have now reached the play-off stage in four of the past five seasons, and Kellock believes that they are now ready to go one step further, his conviction strengthened by the fact that Glasgow go into the game on a run of eight straight wins in the Pro12.

“We talk amongst ourselves about how well we have done,” Kellock said. “In the past maybe we would have talked about how they don’t respect us but I don’t believe we are underdogs, playing on our own park after winning eight in a row. If we focus on ourselves we can win this game.

“Also we have to look at Munster and do our analysis and realise where they are strong – and they are a strong, strong team. I don’t worry about opinions that come in any more, we are very much focused on ourselves.”

Intriguingly, the two regular-season games between Glasgow and Munster were both won by the away side. In October, the Irish side played a tight, contained game and left Glasgow with a 13-6 victory. Yet in the return fixture last month, Glasgow stunned Thomond Park with their bold approach, scored three first-half tries and won 22-5.

Those results make the semi-final difficult to predict, but Townsend pointed out that the picture was also clouded by the fact that Munster have two very distinct styles of play, and are likely to switch between the two in an all-or-nothing game.

“They passed the ball more than any other side last season, which is very different to what Munster did in the past. But they have mixed that up with the traditional Munster game. You have forwards running hard at you, especially as they get further up the pitch and closer to the try line.”

Well there were Jimbopip and my good self barrelling out of Tennants, Byres Road and who should we run smack into Ed 'Rocket Scientist" Kalman. We wished him well with whatever he is going to do and how sad we were at his unfortunate retirement. A thorough gentleman of the highest order. He is sitting with Hugh-Dan the Heedrum Hodrum man tonight on Alba. He may mention 2 slightly drunk but nervous Warriors he met in the Byres earlier today.

WARRIORS - WHATEVER IT TAKES

Well done, lads - keep up the top work

Has he convinced you of my Jinja Ninka@6/Bluto@8 theory yet?!

I suspect there's going to be a lot of drunk, sunburnt weegies tonight - should create a cracking atmosphere!

Give them hell!

Even if Kellock’s powers as a player have waned a little, he is acknowledged as probably the best leader of a Scottish club side during the professional era.

Well let's be honest, whilst Big Al is indeed a fine leader, I'm not sure that quote really says an awful lot!!

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:Has he convinced you of my Jinja Ninka@6/Bluto@8 theory yet?!

No but he was giving Big Ed some career advice !!!!!!!!!

Only 200 tickets left - already a new record crowd

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:And from Al Reid in the Torygraph:

Glasgow coach Gregor Townsend chooses Peter Murchie over Lion Stuart Hogg for semi-final clash


By Alasdair Reid, Scottish Rugby Correspondent

He has a recent Lions tour under his belt and a number of top clubs chasing him, but there is still no place for Stuart Hogg in the Glasgow Warriors starting line-up for Friday evening’s RaboDirect Pro12 semi-final match against Munster at Scotstoun.

Instead, Peter Murchie is at full-back as Glasgow chase their dream of a first appearance in a major final. Murchie lacks Hogg’s alacrity in attack, but he is seen as a better player in defence, with a particular strength under the high ball.

Even so, it is a big call to omit Hogg, who does not even have the consolation of a place on the bench.

The decision by Gregor Townsend, the coach, provokes suspicion that he has been unimpressed by Hogg’s excitable ways recently, and that he might not trust the player to retain a cool head in the febrile atmosphere of a home play-off.

However, the coach batted away that suggestion, explaining that a niggling injury and lack of game time – the consequence of Hogg’s sending off when playing for Scotland against Wales – had swayed the decision against the 21-year-old.

“Stuart knows he has probably not had enough rugby,” Townsend said. “We are in a great situation at full-back and Peter Murchie was outstanding against Edinburgh and very good when he came on at the weekend.

"Stuart has played well, but he has not been able to have a full game with his back injury. We pick what we think is the right side to win a game.”

While one fans’ favourite is left out, another has fared rather better. With the emergence of Tim Swinson and Jonny Gray as full international players over the past 12 months, there was an impression that long-serving captain Al Kellock was slipping down the second-row pecking order at Glasgow, but Townsend has decided that the 32-year-old’s experience will add composure in what is likely to be a fraught contest.

Even if Kellock’s powers as a player have waned a little, he is acknowledged as probably the best leader of a Scottish club side during the professional era.

With Paul O’Connell as Kellock’s direct opponent, Townsend agreed that hard-nosed rugby nous had swayed the decision. He also admitted that his captain’s communication skill, particularly with referees, had been a factor.

Kellock is the sole survivor from the Warriors’ starting XV for the first-ever Pro12 semi-final – against Ospreys – in 2010.

The side have now reached the play-off stage in four of the past five seasons, and Kellock believes that they are now ready to go one step further, his conviction strengthened by the fact that Glasgow go into the game on a run of eight straight wins in the Pro12.

“We talk amongst ourselves about how well we have done,” Kellock said. “In the past maybe we would have talked about how they don’t respect us but I don’t believe we are underdogs, playing on our own park after winning eight in a row. If we focus on ourselves we can win this game.

“Also we have to look at Munster and do our analysis and realise where they are strong – and they are a strong, strong team. I don’t worry about opinions that come in any more, we are very much focused on ourselves.”

Intriguingly, the two regular-season games between Glasgow and Munster were both won by the away side. In October, the Irish side played a tight, contained game and left Glasgow with a 13-6 victory. Yet in the return fixture last month, Glasgow stunned Thomond Park with their bold approach, scored three first-half tries and won 22-5.

Those results make the semi-final difficult to predict, but Townsend pointed out that the picture was also clouded by the fact that Munster have two very distinct styles of play, and are likely to switch between the two in an all-or-nothing game.

“They passed the ball more than any other side last season, which is very different to what Munster did in the past. But they have mixed that up with the traditional Munster game. You have forwards running hard at you, especially as they get further up the pitch and closer to the try line.”

THIS is what it took for the Torygraph to eventually write something about Rabo rugby?

I have a bad feeling about tonight, I feel that Munster might be too strong for us.

cakeordeath wrote:I have a bad feeling about tonight, I feel that Munster might be too strong for us.

If either team is off their game they lose, if both teams turn up, well it's harder to pick than a broken nose, and given the physicality that is likely to be on display, that might just be what it comes down to.

Does anyone else feel a bit sick?

God I need a drink.

Beers are in the fridge, my lovely grass fed sirloin steak is getting up to room temperature ready for cooking. Mrs Cake is at work. Come on warriors!

The Scrum V panel wrote you off, reckon you'll prove them wrong?

Also, why is Hogg dropped?

cakeordeath wrote:I have a bad feeling about tonight, I feel that Munster might be too strong for us.

In my last dream, i had Munster winning 25-22, needless to say i was glad when i woke up!

Pipe band in the scout hall!
Terrific acoustics

MON GLASGOW!!!!   

anyone got link ??

Can't call it either way. Munster should by all rights lose tonight, but has there ever been a team more comfortable with underdog status and more liable to pull out a big performance after being written off?

Gotr BBC Alba on here. Inspiring, cringeworthy montage time!

I am nervous. If only Mila Kunis was here to hold my hand.

I might need Mila Kunis and Gilliam Anderson if we make it through to the final

Atmosphere sounds amazing. Wish I was there.

I love that the players have adopted a Liverpool esque tap of that arch they've stolen from a children's soft play centre

Haha, almost broke it in half didn't they

I don't think they stole it from Edinburgh!

We have also achieved what Toulon, Leinster, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and other similar British institutions have in the past in receiving a live feed on the British Broadcasting company's website. Let's see how many times they mention Hogg and Weir's absence

Tbh this Glasgow side of the first 4 minutes would sweep away the Scotland team. Strangely. Only 3 NSQs, 1 starting.

Is the ref italian?

Great game this...

If by Italian you mean s h i t e then yeah

Earls taking out Dunbar in back play. Surely should come back for a penalty.

Munster 14 throws a punch.

Evening Lads   

I'd really like to see Glasgae get through to a final. They've been the nearly-boys too often. Munster may just have a try here mind...

I reckon Dunbar would absolutely pummel him

Anyone got an Italian dictionary...?

Couldn't we afford Owens or Rolland for this one?

I have a man crush on peter wright.

"Keith earls is cheating so Alex Dunbar just banjos him"

Pure

Try given.   Interesting decision...

I'm pretty sure taking out a defender off the ball so he can't defend is reason not to award a try... a bit like crossing but more extreme...

That was Frak short you Muppet ref

short

Absolute bull.

Loving this partisan Glasgow crowd. Perfect for the occasion!   

Just wish they wouldn't boo the kicker though.