Payback time for Munster

A MUNSTER team hell bent on making amends for one of their worst performances in the last ten years can be expected to retain their position as Celtic League leaders after this afternoon’s (3.30, Setanta Sports) clash with Glasgow Warriors at Thomond Park.

It was at Hughendon on September 17 that Munster were hammered 32-10 by the Warriors. No Munster team likes having such a mark on its record and with coach Declan Kidney in a position to field a strong side, they have an awful lot going for them in the return fixture. Over the intervening months, Munster have put that shocking performance behind them in soaring to the top of the Celtic League and have opened up an 18 point gap on the Scots.

Out of contention for the league and the Heineken Cup, Glasgow will be free to play an expansive game, but Kidney will be forewarned by the fact that Glasgow put 50 points (albeit with 35 against) on Bourgoin in one of their European meetings. Other than that, though, they have struggled.