Glasgow gear up for ‘massive test’ as route to play-offs goes into final stretch

The teams are currently tied on 56 points as the race for the play-offs reaches the home straight, Munster sitting third with the Warriors hot on their heels in fourth.

Tomorrow’s game is the first of three season-defining encounters for Lineen’s men, who travel to Benetton Treviso on Sunday, 22 April before taking on Connacht at Firhill on Saturday, 5 May.

The tussle with the men from Galway represents the finale to one of the biggest days in Glasgow rugby history, with the inaugural Emirates Airline Glasgow 7s also taking place at Scotstoun. For now, however, all eyes are firmly trained on the battle in Cork, where the Warriors last won in May 2008. Since then, Munster have won all 14 of the games staged at Musgrave Park, and have beaten the Warriors in each of the last four encounters between the sides.

Lineen said: “This is the latest in a long line of massive tests for the team. Munster away is one of the toughest games you can get, but the players have consistently risen to the challenges that have been put in front of them this season and we’ve every confidence they can deliver again.

“Everyone needs to take it up another notch if we’re to claim another positive result again this weekend. In terms of consistency and intensity, Munster have set the standard for the rest of European rugby in the last decade or so. We’ve massive respect for what they have achieved, but we’re very clear about our own objectives and we travel there with confidence.”

Lineen’s side shows six changes from that which saw off the Blues 31-3 in Glasgow’s last fixture on March 30. Three of the switches are injury-enforced, Ryan Wilson and Graeme Morrison missing with knee injuries and John Barclay not having recovered sufficiently from the blow to the head he sustained in that game.

Peter Murchie, an early replacement for Morrison in the Cardiff clash, will start at full-back tomorrow, with Stuart Hogg and Alex Dunbar teaming up in the centres. Ruaridh Jackson is named at stand-off.

Jon Welsh and Pat MacArthur come into the front row, Richie Gray starts in the second row while Johnnie Beattie will line up at No 8 in place of Wilson Lineen said: “It’s really unfortunate for Ryan, Graeme and John that they’re missing out, because they’ve all given a lot to our campaign to date.

“That said, the level of contribution across the board in the squad has been a real strong feature of our season, and those coming into the side this week are more than capable of helping secure the result that we and the supporters all want. Peter Murchie has been outstanding of late and, although we know that Johnnie Beattie is leaving at the end of the season, he’s absolutely desperate to go out on a high by helping his home-town club achieve success. The same goes for Richie Gray, whose quality speaks for itself, while Ruaridh will bring good game management and drive to the backline.”