Opportunity knocks for Munster against Glasgow

With 16 Glasgow Warriors players tied up with Scotland at the World Cup as against five Munster men with Ireland, there is little doubt that the home side will be at a distinct advantage when the teams meet in a repeat of last year’s Guinness Pro12 final at Thomond Park this evening (6pm).

Whereas Munster coach Anthony Foley yesterday announced a squad full of familiar names, his Glasgow counterpart Gregor Townsend had little option but to rely on a number of relatively-inexperienced players as he bids to build on the Warriors’ outstanding 31-13 win in last May’s Ravenhill decider.

Foley has made eight changes in personnel from the side that caught the Ospreys on the post a fortnight ago. There’s an all-new front-row of James Cronin, Duncan Casey and Stephen Archer, with a formidable back-up trio of David Kilcoyne, Mike Sherry and BJ Botha all set to relieve them from the bench after an hour or so.