Preview: Munster v Glasgow
Glasgow welcome back Scotland number eight Johnnie Beattie for Saturday's Magners League clash with Munster at Musgrave Park.
Glasgow welcome back Scotland number eight Johnnie Beattie for Saturday's Magners League clash with Munster at Musgrave Park.
Beattie has been out with a shoulder injury since he returned from Scotland's historic Test series win in Argentina last summer and head coach Sean Lineen is delighted to have another of his key players back available for selection.
“It's great to have John back,” said Lineen.
“He's worked incredibly hard and it's been frustrating for him more than me.
“John is a model professional and I think he's matured over the last few months. We've had him involved in a lot of meetings and analysis and he's delivered really well there. But now he's fit and ready to go.”
Meanwhile, despite the exit of Beattie from the treatment room, four others make their way in following last weekend's bruising derby against Edinburgh. All do so, however, on a short term basis.
Beattie takes the place of Richie Vernon who picked up a dead leg in last weekend's derby against Edinburgh whilst hooker Fergus Thomson is also sideline with a dead leg. Thomson is replaced by fellow internationalist Dougie Hall.
The third change to the forwards simply sees props Ryan Grant and Jon Welsh swap places in the staring XV and on the bench.
The only adjustment in the backs sees winger Alex Dunbar line up for his second start in place of Hefin O'Hare who has a calf injury.
Dave McCall is another to make a welcome return to the starting XV and is named among the replacements. McCall returns in place of Federico Aramburu who continues to be treated for an ankle injury.
Looking forward to Saturday's match, Lineen continued: “There was relative disappointment following the second Edinburgh game having experienced euphoria after the first.
“As for Munster, there's such a confidence in them. The name Munster just seeps of rugby.
“Munster have quality players right throughout their team and are on fire at the moment at the top of the league.
“They have particular strength at nine and ten with players like Peter Stringer, Tomas O'Leary, Ronan O'Gara and Paul Warwick who direct the mighty Munster ship so well.
“But we need to match their physicality and that starts up front with the forwards.”
Meanwhile, Munster coach Tony McGahan has made nine changes from the side that started against Ulster.
Of those changes, one is positional with Ronan O'Gara's return to the side meaning Paul Warwick reverts to full-back in a backline that sees Lifeimi Mafi start at inside centre in place of Sam Tuitupou, who is listed among the replacements. Johne Murphy comes back onto the left wing with Denis Hurley this time providing the cover.
Up front there are changes aplenty starting in the front-row where Darragh Hurley replaces Wian du Preez at loosehead and John Hayes starts ahead of Tony Buckley who has been struck down with a virus.
Donncha O'Callaghan returns from his enforced rest to partner the bang in-form Mick O'Driscoll in the second row while James Coughlan is named at blindside and David Wallace at openside in a back-row that again will be led by Denis Leamy.
Two Academy players, Mike Sherry and Dave Kilcoyne fill two of the three front row places on the replacements.
Form: Table-topping Munster have dropped just three of a possible 30 league points in home games in the Magners League this season. The Munstermen have won their last four matches against Scottish opponents. Glasgow Warriors have won just one of their last five encounters in all competitions: 30-18 at home to Edinburgh on 27 December. The Warriors' solo away win since last January was 37-32 at Scarlets in the Magners League on 7 May. Munster have won four of their last five matches with Glasgow, whilst the Warriors most recent victory on Munster soil was 21-18 at Musgrave Park on 10 May 2008.
The teams:
Munster: 15 Paul Warwick, 14 Doug Howlett, 13 Keith Earls, 12 L Mafi, 11 Johne Murphy, 10 Ronan O'Gara, 9 Peter Stringer,8 Denis Leamy, 7 David Wallace, 6 James Coughlan, 5 Mick O'Driscoll, 4 Donncha O'Callaghan, 3 John Hayes, 2 Damien Varley, 1 Darragh Hurley.
Replacements: 16 Mike Sherry, 17 Dave Kilcoyne, 18 Peter Borlase, 19 Donnacha Ryan, 20 Niall Ronan, 21 Tomas O'Leary, 22 Sam Tuitupou, 23 Denis Hurley.
Glasgow: 15 Bernardo Stortoni, 14 Alex Dunbar, 13 Max Evans, 12 Peter Murchie, 11 DTH van der Merwe, 10 Ruaridh Jackson, 9 Colin Gregor, 8 Johnnie Beattie, 7 John Barclay, 6 Robert Harley, 5 Alastair Kellock (c), 4 Richie Gray, 3 Moray Low, 2 Dougie Hall, 1 Ryan Grant.
Replacements: 16 Pat MacArthur, 17 Kevin Tkachuk, 18 Jon Welsh, 19 Aly Muldowney, 20 Ryan Wilson, 21 Henry Pyrgos, 22 Dave McCall, 23 Peter Horne
Date: Saturday, January 8
Venue: Musgrave Park
Kick-off: 19.30 GMT
Referee: James Jones