Zebo: Munster's Glasgow rivalry still 'a bit spicy' 

The sides meet once again in their URC opener this weekend.

Simon Zebo is part of the Premier Sports team bringing every game live from the BKT United Rugby Championship throughout the season. Tune into all eight opening games this weekend visit www.premiersports.com. Pic: INPHO/Dan Sheridan

The old spice has gone out of the Munster-Glasgow rivalry, but Simon Zebo expects Saturday’s URC opener at Thomond Park to retain enough edge to test the province as it faces one of its most demanding starts to a season.

The fixture was defined for several years by confrontations involving Zebo, Peter O’Mahony, Keith Earls, Conor Murray and more Munster men. Zebo points to Glasgow’s Ryan Wilson and Finn Russell as frequent antagonists.

However, significant turnover in both squads is partly down to several of the central characters in the drama now playing elsewhere or among the ranks of the retired.

“There’s probably a bit less of it than when Peter, myself, Earlsy, Murray and all these guys would have been playing in all those matches,” Zebo said. “They were incredibly spicy a few years ago.

“There’s been a bit of a squad turnover since then but it’ll probably still remain a bit spicy, which is great.” 

Zebo’s own relationship with Wilson and Russell has also changed dramatically. The former, once a player he “always hated”, is now a colleague through Zebo’s work with Premier Sports, while Russell became one of his closest friends when they played together at Racing 92.

“I didn’t like Finn Russell until I played with him,” Zebo said. “I work with Ryan now, so I’m very lucky that we’ve gotten to work with each other because it’s shown me a different side to him.

“And Finn, obviously having played in Paris with him for so long, he’s one of my best friends. My opinion has changed on those players specifically. Maybe not some others.” 

On O'Mahony, Zebo has seen the explosive extract from the former Munster captain's autobiography in which he outlined the moment that Graham Rowntree told him he was surplus to requirements.

"Having spoken to Pete, every player has ups and downs with coaches, that's probably not a highlight of Pete's Munster time," was as far as Zebo would go in terms of a reaction.

"I won't speak on his behalf but his leadership was one that was not taken for granted, but one that was very much appreciated over his time at the club.

"Now that he's not there, lads have had to find their voice with a big hole in the squad in terms of leadership and presence and the captain he was for Munster. A player of Pete's quality will always be missed, along with Keith Earls and Conor Murray. The list goes on."

The class of 2026 face a formidable opening opponent in Glasgow, despite the visitors losing a string of important players over the summer. Zebo expects them to travel to Limerick with confidence.

The hosts, meanwhile, are looking for the right start with a run of games to come that also includes the Bulls, Ulster, Racing 92 in Europe and then Leinster.

With Jack Crowley and Tom Wood absent until the new year, the opening block will place immediate pressure on Clayton McMillan's outfit. “It’s going to be tough,” Zebo said. “It’s not sink or swim, it’s the start of the season, but you’d look for some good momentum.” The Corkman warns that Munster will need to protect their core players through the demanding run of fixtures to avoid exposing further an already stretched squad.

He believes Craig Casey’s tactical influence will become increasingly important, but added that despite the arrival of new attack coach Jimmy Duffy, the Reds will probably have to be more forward-orientated for the time being, with Duffy's influence becoming more pronounced over time.

Tony Butler’s temporary return gives Munster another option, while Zebo believes Racing are vulnerable enough to offer a chance for an important European victory.

“That Racing team is there to be taken,” he said. “There are scalps there to be had, and that can have a real positive effect whether you’re missing a few numbers or not.” 

Most importantly, Munster need to avoid being dragged into a prolonged battle for URC top eight and Champions Cup qualification later in the campaign.

“If you can get out early, avoid that mosh pit and get into the top three or four, it has a massive bearing,” Zebo said. “You’re not chasing points as heavily in the later rounds.” 

He hopes that Edwin Edogbo could be central to that effort. After injury setbacks, the second-row has the physical and technical qualities to become Munster’s leading presence, according to Zebo.

“He has every right to be starting in that team and being a real leader,” he said. “He can be the key man, the go-to man, because he has the profile.

"He’s able to do things other second rows can’t, for both Munster and Ireland.”