Champions Cup Pool 1: Munster v Glasgow Warriors, 22 October

                              
Munster Rugby v Glasgow Warriors 
Saturday 22 October 2016
KO: 13:00
Thomond Park, Limerick

Live on BT Sport / beIN Sports

Referee Jerome Garces (France)
Touch Judge 1 Adrien Descottes (France)
Touch Judge 2 Sebastian Cloute (France)
TMO Arnaud Blondel (France)
Citing Commissioner Yves Thieffine (France)

A. Head to Head

Sides have never met in Europe.

In league play:

28 Played 28
16 Wins 11
11 Losses 16
1 Draws 1

B. Recent League Form

19 February 2016
Glasgow Warriors 27 - 24 Munster Rugby

2 October 2015
Munster Rugby 32 - 21 Glasgow Warriors

30 May 2015
Munster Rugby 13 - 31 Glasgow Warriors

28 February 2015
Munster Rugby 22 - 10 Glasgow Warriors

20 December 2014
Glasgow Warriors 21 - 18 Munster Rugby


C. Teams

Munster Rugby

15 Simon Zebo
14 Darren Sweetnam
13 Jaco Taute
12 Rory Scannell
11 Keith Earls
10 Tyler Bleyendaal
9 Conor Murray

1 Dave Kilcoyne
2 Niall Scannell
3 John Ryan
4 Donnacha Ryan
5 Billy Holland
6 Peter O'Mahony
7 Tommy O'Donnell
8 CJ Stander

16 Duncan Casey
17 Brian Scott
18 Stephen Archer
19 Robin Copeland
20 Jack O'Donoghue
21 Duncan Williams
22 Ian Keatley
23 Ronan O'Mahony

Glasgow Warriors 

15 Stuart Hogg
14 Sean Lamont
13 Alex Dunbar
12 Sam Johnson
11 Rory Hughes
10 Finn Russell
9 Henry Pyrgos

1 Gordon Reid
2 Fraser Brown
3 Zander Fagerson
4 Tim Swinson
5 Jonny Gray
6 Rob Harley
7 Ryan Wilson
8 Josh Strauss

16 Pat MacArthur
17 Alex Allan
18 Sila Puafisi
19 Lewis Wynne
20 Simone Favaro
21 Ali Price
22 Mark Bennett  angel
23 Peter Murchie

I wonder how the recent event will affect this game. Must have been a hard decision to play - but fair play to them

Will be emotional

Has it been given the go ahead now then? Will certainly ly be an emotional day.

From a rugby PoV it is going to be a strange one for both teams I'm sure - the Munster players will be utterly bereft yet will no doubt be incredibly fired up to put in a huge performance for their coach and the fans. How will that emotion affect them on the day?

On the other hand Glasgow will find themselves in a strange situation - how do you psyche yourself up and prepare yourself to be aggressive, ruthless and cut-throat playing in what will essentially be a public memorial service, against players have have had a very emotional week? They are just human beings after all and are bound to have great sympathy for the Munster players.

It seems strange talking about rugby when we're trying to remember a great man's life but it will probably be a fairly unique occasion for all involved - something I'm sure they'll remember for the rest of their lives.

Its going to be a very difficult day for both teams and I have no idea how it will pan out.

I am disinclined to speculate either and just hope that both sides are able to put their feelings aside and put on a game worthy of the man.

I hope that Toonie will get the team's head right.

They just need to forget everything else and play to win. Foley's memory will not be properly served by rolling over for Munster - it will be served by two teams really going at it. That was his style on the pitch.

It will be an emotional day and it can go whatever which way. Munster have the benefit of a longer rest and the ultimate motivation of playing in Foley's memory but training can't have started until today and being overly emotional/trying too hard can cause bad decision making (looking at you Toomua).

The ref will need thick skin. Would have been perfect for Owens or Whitehouse.

If Glasgow can get Favaro back with Harley to come on from the bench that would be ideal. Wynne is only 19 so would like another back 5 player back such as Uanivi so that Harley is not the 2nd row cover. Assuming Dunbar was precautionary and Johnson is out with concussion. For players who may be back I have put the alternative in parentheses.

1) Reid
2) Brown
3) Fagerson
4) Swinson
5) Gray
6) Strauss
7) Favaro
8) Wilson
9) Pyrgos
10) Russell
11) Sarto
12) Dunbar
13) Bennett
14) Seymour (Hughes)
15) Hogg

Flynn (MacArthur), Allan, Puafisi, Harley, Wynne, Price, Clegg, Hughes

http://www.glasgowwarriors.org/news/16/10/19/munster-game-go-ahead-planned

Squads will come out at 3pm on Friday.

I'm in two minds about this game being played. I think emotions are going to be raw, and I certainly wouldn't expect the Munster players to be in the right state of mind to play European-intensity rugby. I'm also wary of trying to predict 'what Axel would have wanted' - I certainly didn't know him well enough to say he'd have wanted the game to be played.

On the other hand, Foley was a rugby man to the very core. I can't think of a better way to honour him than to have a real rep-snorting game of rugby, and dedicate it to him whatever the result.

I was little a bit annoyed by the comments of Shane Byrne on the TalkSport rugby show on Monday, where he basically suggested that Glasgow should do the right thing and offer not to play the game. I don't want to get in a situation where Glasgow are seen as callous for leaving the decision to Munster.

IanBru wrote:
I was little a bit annoyed by the comments of Shane Byrne on the TalkSport rugby show on Monday, where he basically suggested that Glasgow should do the right thing and offer not to play the game. I don't want to get in a situation where Glasgow are seen as callous for leaving the decision to Munster.

I didn't hear the comments but it may have been that he meant its left in Munsters hands whether it goes ahead rather than Munster having to ask for permission not to play

As a Munster fan I think it should go ahead. Theyll be playing away for the next few weeks so this game will be the only opportunity to play at home for a while.


I'd agree that it might be a little awkward for the Glasgow players but I'm sure once the match starts both teams will get into their rhythm.

marty2086 wrote:

IanBru wrote:
I was little a bit annoyed by the comments of Shane Byrne on the TalkSport rugby show on Monday, where he basically suggested that Glasgow should do the right thing and offer not to play the game. I don't want to get in a situation where Glasgow are seen as callous for leaving the decision to Munster.

I didn't hear the comments but it may have been that he meant its left in Munsters hands whether it goes ahead rather than Munster having to ask for permission not to play

If you read the Glasgow website statement, you'll see that Glasgow said they would support whatever decision Munster made and that Munster decided they wanted to play. Glasgow did absolutely nothing wrong here. What I am worried about is that this is not understood and the bile that may potentially fly if Munster lose. I would be very disappointed by accusations that Glasgow somehow 'took advantage of the situation'. All Munster fans I know are great but there are lunatics in every group (look at RDW for example).

Arrangements for the match:

http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/23316.php#.WAiwSoWIUpk

Glasgow should just play their usual game and not worry what is going on. To Munster, win or lose is irrelevant - but from what we hear the Munster squad are finding it really difficult. Axel has been coaching most of them since they were 18 or 19.

Emotionally a lot of them will be drained after Friday and essentially they have to ride the wave of emotion into the game and beyond

George Carlin wrote:

marty2086 wrote:

IanBru wrote:
I was little a bit annoyed by the comments of Shane Byrne on the TalkSport rugby show on Monday, where he basically suggested that Glasgow should do the right thing and offer not to play the game. I don't want to get in a situation where Glasgow are seen as callous for leaving the decision to Munster.

I didn't hear the comments but it may have been that he meant its left in Munsters hands whether it goes ahead rather than Munster having to ask for permission not to play

If you read the Glasgow website statement, you'll see that Glasgow said they would support whatever decision Munster made and that Munster decided they wanted to play. Glasgow did absolutely nothing wrong here. What I am worried about is that this is not understood and the bile that may potentially fly if Munster lose. I would be very disappointed by accusations that Glasgow somehow 'took advantage of the situation'. All Munster fans I know are great but there are lunatics in every group (look at RDW for example).

Not a chance any Munster supporter would think that. All decisions have been left to Munster. Everyone in rugby (and out of it*) have been really supportive and helpful.

*RyanAir supplied their Corporate Jet to fly over about 20 people to Paris (including POC & Mick Galwey) to bring Axel home.

Personally, I think this will be a difficult game for both teams; but my opinions are totally irrelevant, if it's what the Foley family feel is right then it's right.It's now up to both clubs to put on the best match they can.

p.s. Can anyone supply a link?

jimbopip wrote:Personally, I think this will be a difficult game for both teams; but my opinions are totally irrelevant, if it's what the Foley family feel is right then it's right.It's now up to both clubs to put on the best match they can.

Hear hear.

It'll be emotionally charged certainly. Just seen the video on the Beeb of people lining the streets.

As for the match itself I can think of no greater tribute to a true servant to our game than two top teams going at each other for the win.

This game is on sky sports

Well, the Tombola surprises us yet again.

Schlong and Rozza on the wings. The pack unchanged from last week. Johnson and Dunbar at centre; mind you, that's what should have been starting against Tiggers.
From 11 to 15 it's a big set of backs. I would venture to suggest that this team is filed under "Teams with a big pack, avoiding being bullied by...."

Munster's game plan may not be too different from Tiggers', but then again it may not be too different from closing time in Sauchiehall Street on Fair Friday. Dunbar, Schlong and Rozza will probably be in their element. There's also Simone, the legend that is, to bring on if things look in danger of getting quiet.
If Glasgow manage to remain focussed and not get blown away by the emotions of the day then this could be titanic struggle, right up there with the semi final at Scotstoun a couple of seasons back. On which note, Toonie had Kenny Dalglish in to address the players this week, doubtless he'd have some very relevant things to say from his own experience of trying to play on in the face of such heartbreaking grief. I'm fairly certain the Munster fans will need the catharsis that tomorrow will, hopefully, bring them. I also hope it gives them some solace. And those last two sentences now make me feel foolish and selfish for wanting to discuss this as a rugby match which I want Glasgow to win. Let's hope we all take something good from tomorrow.

Munster Rugby
15 Simon Zebo
14 Darren Sweetnam
13 Jaco Taute
12 Rory Scannell
11 Keith Earls
10 Tyler Bleyendaal
9 Conor Murray
1 Dave Kilcoyne
2 Niall Scannell
3 John Ryan
4 Donnacha Ryan
5 Billy Holland
6 Peter O'Mahony
7 Tommy O'Donnell
8 CJ Stander

16 Duncan Casey
17 Brian Scott
18 Stephen Archer
19 Robin Copeland
20 Jack O'Donoghue
21 Duncan Williams
22 Ian Keatley
23 Ronan O'Mahony


Glasgow Warriors
15 Stuart Hogg
14 Sean Lamont
13 Alex Dunbar
12 Sam Johnson
11 Rory Hughes
10 Finn Russell
9 Henry Pyrgos
1 Gordon Reid
2 Fraser Brown
3 Zander Fagerson
4 Tim Swinson
5 Jonny Gray
6 Rob Harley
7 Ryan Wilson
8 Josh Strauss

16 Pat MacArthur
17 Alex Allan
18 Sila Puafisi
19 Lewis Wynne
20 Simone Favaro
21 Ali Price
22 Mark Bennett  
23 Peter Murchie

There are a few less-well-known names on that Munster team sheet. Friends in red, what can you tell us about Messrs Scott, Taute, Bleyendaal, and Ronan O'Mahony? I remember Sweetnam from the match last season in Kilmarnock, but mostly from the terrified look on his face when young Mr Weir was about to lamp him!

Oh, and is Peter O'Mahony any good? I hear he's quite a prospect...

Looking at that Munster side, they are like us in not having a true second row replacement. I like the majority of the Glasgow team with the exception of dropping Sarto who was MOTM last week. Murchie does not deserve to be on the bench either after Grigg's performance last week but I don't know who else covers fullback. Other than that I see the logic and accept it. If our pack fronts them up and puts in a shift like last week, I think Glasgow have a good chance.

The emotions are going to be all over the place for those Munster players and hopefully it can play a part in closing a chapter for them. I wish Munster all the best but want a Glasgow win.

Hazel Sapling wrote:Looking at that Munster side, they are like us in not having a true second row replacement. I like the majority of the Glasgow team with the exception of dropping Sarto who was MOTM last week. Murchie does not deserve to be on the bench either after Grigg's performance last week but I don't know who else covers fullback. Other than that I see the logic and accept it. If our pack fronts them up and puts in a shift like last week, I think Glasgow have a good chance.

The emotions are going to be all over the place for those Munster players and hopefully it can play a part in closing a chapter for them. I wish Munster all the best but want a Glasgow win.

Sarto listed as injured.

That is a meaty Munster 8 - O'Mahony's presence alone just makes things look better as a backrow.

Just looked at our injury list. 13 senior players hurt. Fair enough if Sarto is hurt. 3 wings missing along with 3 locks. Can we finally get Junior on the wing next match?!!!

Stander will wear 24 tomorrow instead of 8

IanBru wrote:
There are a few less-well-known names on that Munster team sheet. Friends in red, what can you tell us about Messrs Scott, Taute, Bleyendaal, and Ronan O'Mahony? I remember Sweetnam from the match last season in Kilmarnock, but mostly from the terrified look on his face when young Mr Weir was about to lamp him!

Scott, he hasn't played too much for Munster. He is a big prop but thats about all I can tell you about him. He usually only gets a few min off the bench so make of that what you will.
Taute is a big South African center. He is on loan until christmas. He got one or two springbok caps but like Scott I've seen very little of him.
Bleyendaal came from the Crusaders a few years back but has been mostly injured. He is a quality 10 but his kicking isn't the best.
Ronan O'Mahony is a decent enough squad player but doesn't look to have too much ability.
Sweetnam has plenty of ability. Only got serious about rugby a few years back because he also made the Cork hurling team at 19 so there are areas of his game that needs tuning but he is on the right track. He got called up to the Ireland training squad a few weeks ago.

marty2086 wrote:Stander will wear 24 tomorrow instead of 8

That is a lovely gesture.

OK guys, one last call (from the heart) does anyone have a link for this?

I'll send you the site i use Jimbo, dunno what the quality will be like.

munster abú

Looking forward to the fellas putting in a performance for Axel

The build up would bring tears to a glass eye. Great touch by the Munster set up. Ádh mór today lads!

Jeez - the atmosphere is heavy electric. Glasgow are up against it today. Hope it will be a good contest.

I wish the best for Munster today

Bleyendal - what a storming run and try.

Fantastic try,Munster have started really well.

And another very, very good try.

Bleyendal playing the game people thought he could play when he arrived. Better late than never.

Earls is going off for,that

Earls could be in trouble here.At least a yellow surely

Red card tip tackle

Red all day

Didn't even attempt to lower him.

Yep. Red card. Stupid of Earls.

You hate to see a red card on a day like this. But the referees have to do their job...

If this is red I'll be gutted for Earls, he must feel even more responsibility to represent the jersey today. Absolutely gutting for him.

No need for that from Earls

Jesus Earls. Whinging going off. Very poor.

Ah jaysus earls. What is he giving out to the Glasgow players for? Tough day for him

Pot Hale wrote:Jesus Earls.  Whinging going off.  Very poor.

Wasn't the Glasgow players fault was it.

Yep, very poor there from Earls.