RUGBY/Glasgow Warriors v Munster: WHEN GLASGOW coach Sean Lineen came out during the week to observe that Munster never play a "bad" game, the question was whether he was laying it on thick for his purposes or professing an undying respect for the perennial contenders.
In his defence, you can understand what he means: Munster have always had a habit of carving out results under duress, getting back home and not thinking too much about it.
Bad is relative and you can argue Munster bad is probably much better than most. Top of the table with three wins from three, few would argue.
Eric Elwood’s Connacht arrived over to Firhill last week and beat the Scots, who could be feeling a little fragile, even at home. They have a young squad, although they have made some changes from last week.
The most dramatic is probably Duncan Weir coming in to the outhalf position for Ruaridh Jackson.
The 19-year-old Weir faces Ronan O’Gara, who is more than 14 years his elder.
Weir came off the bench for the last 15 minutes of Glasgow’s opening league match with Leinster and scored the match-winning points. He then featured as a replacement in the defeat at Newport, and at Firhill last week, against Connacht, he appeared late on and again had the chance to snatch victory, but this time sent his drop-goal wide.
Weir has much to learn, stepping up from club to professional level only this season, while Jackson, who is 22, has long been touted as a genuine international contender, although he has suffered with injuries and the past presence of Dan Parks.
“This is a good opportunity to see him (Weir) against a team like Munster,” said the head coach. “Duncan has come on and made an impact. He’s a very confident lad and deserves a chance.”
Elsewhere, the only change up front sees prop Moray Low swap his place on the bench with Ed Kalman, while Argentine international Federico Aramburu returns to the wing for Hefin O’Hare, who was due to be on duty for Scotland for the Commonwealth Games in Delhi.
O’Gara will rise to the zesty challenge of Weir as Munster arrive in Glasgow with a couple of familiar faces back in the side. David Wallace makes a return at openside flanker, where he joins Denis Leamy.
Leamy was due to play last week but pulled out of the match with a rib injury.
John Hayes was named at tighthead prop but was forced to withdraw with a back strain, allowing Tony Buckley to come into the frontrow with Marcus Horan at loosehead and Damien Varley hooker.
Injuries to Felix Jones and Ian Dowling have also forced some reshuffling in the backs, with Paul Warwick starting at fullback and Johne Murphy moving from his more familiar outside centre to the wing.
Lifeimi Mafi, also out for some time with a shoulder injury, comes into the centre.
A strong Munster team should prevail, although a “bad” game certainly won’t be enough.
Venue:Firhill
Kick-off:7.30
GLASGOW: B Stortoni; D van der Merwe, M Evans, G Morrison, F Aramburu; D Weir, C Gregor; J Welsh, F Thomson, M Low, T Ryder, R Gray, Harley, J Barclay (capt), R Vernon.
Replacements (from): D Hall, E Kalman, Kevin Tkachuk, Aly Muldowney, R Wilson, C Forrester, H Pyrgos, R Jackson, R Dewey, P Murchie.
MUNSTER: P Warwick; D Howlett, L Mafi, S Tuitupou, J Murphy; R O’Gara, T O’Leary; M Horan, D Varley, T Buckley; D O’Callaghan, D Ryan; D Wallace, N Ronan, D Leamy (capt).
Replacements: S Henry, W du Preez, Darragh Hurley, M O’Driscoll, J Coughlan, P Stringer, S Deasy, D Hurley.
Previous meetings: (09-10)Munster 27 Glasgow 19; Glasgow 22 Munster 9; (08-09) Munster 25 Glasgow 17; Glasgow 13 Munster 26; (07-08) Munster 19 Glasgow 21; Glasgow 11 Munster 11; (06-07) Munster 38 Glasgow 20; Glasgow 24 Munster 13; (05-06) Munster 20 Glasgow 26; Glasgow 32 Munster 10.
Betting: Home win Glasgow 6/4; Away win Munster 8/15; Drawn match 81/1.
Referee: C Damasco (FIR).
Verdict: Munster win.
