Townsend leaves out star names

Glasgow Warriors coach Gregor Townsend landed a selection surprise at Munster’s door ahead of tonight’s RaboDirect Pro12 semi-final at Scotstoun by dropping some star names from his in-form side.

While Munster head coach Rob Penney has recalled Conor Murray, Keith Earls, BJ Botha and CJ Stander to his starting line-up following last week’s dismal 19-17 home defeat by Ulster, Glasgow boss Townsend has dispensed with the services of Lions full-back Stuart Hogg and fellow Scotland stars Sean Lamont and Duncan Weir as well as dropping danger man Niko Matawalu to the bench.

Matawalu was expected to start at scrum-half with opposite number Murray describing him as “a maverick, he’s a really dangerous player”.