Glasgow Warriors welcome Munster to Scotstoun on Friday night at 7:35pm in the battle of two sides at the top of Conference A. What’s at stake? These two sides come into this fourth round clash with perfect three from three records so something has to give in Glasgow. The two sides – both former champions of this league – met on four occasions last season in all competitions with Munster taking the spoils on each occasion, although in each of the last three Glasgow secured a losing bonus point and they will be out for revenge this season under the new stewardship of Dave Rennie. Team news (Glasgow Warriors): Captain Ryan Wilson returns for the Warriors at a sold-out Scotstoun Stadium tomorrow night. Wilson is the only change to the forward pack that started Glasgow’s victory over Cardiff Blues at the Arms Park last Saturday. Ali Price and Rory Hughes both return to the starting XV, as does Peter Horne who starts at inside centre. On the bench, Rob Harley is included for this first time this season having overcome an ankle injury. Sam Johnson and Leonardo Sarto are also named amongst the replacements. Team news (Munster): Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus keeps faith with largely the same side that has recorded three wins from three to date. Again Erasmus makes just one change with Rory Scannell set for his first start of the new season at inside centre, the Irish international starts alongside Chris Farrell for the first time. Scannell’s fellow international, Dave Kilcoyne, has successfully rehabbed the knee injury he sustained in the win over Cheetahs and is included among the replacements. Talking points: These two former champions are leading the way having won three from three In Conference A and the result of this early-season fixture will have an influence come the final rounds of the campaign. Warriors have made an impressive start to the season beating Connacht and Ospreys, both former title winners, while they edged a close affair in Cardiff against the Blues last weekend. Munster enter into this game after wins against Benetton, Cheetahs and Ospreys and a confident Warriors team will no doubt present their toughest challenge yet. Key Battle: Finn Russell v Tyler Bleyendaal Finn Russell is a perfect nine from nine from the kicking tee in the early stages of the Guinness PRO14 as Glasgow Warriors have kicked off the season in style. The Scotland fly-half, fresh off a summer that saw him beat Australia with Scotland and then join the British & Irish Lions, has hit the ground running. But in Kiwi Tyler Bleyendaal, he has a more than worthy adversary, the stand-off has pulled the strings in impressive fashion under Rassie Erasmus – including a man-of-the-match showing against the Warriors in Europe last season at Thomond Park – and will captain the side in Scotstoun for the third game this season. Key Stat: Munster have two of the top three try-scorers in the league. Alex Wootton leads the way in the standings with five while Jean Kleyn has four alongside Scarlets flyer Johnny McNicholl. Did you know? Munster’s only defeat in their last seven Guinness PRO14 matches was to Scarlets in last season’s final in Dublin. Glasgow Warriors: R Jackson, L Jones, N Grigg, P Horne, R Hughes, F Russell, A Price, J Bhatti, G Turner, Z Fagerson, T Swinson, S Cummings, R Wilson, C Gibbins, A Ashe Replacements: P MacArthur, A Allan, D Rae, B Alainu’uese, R Harley, H Pyrgos, S Johnson, L Sarto Munster: A Conway, D Sweetnam, C Farrell, R Scannell, A Wootton, T Bleyendaal, D Williams, L O’Connor, R Marshall, S Archer, J Kleyn, B Holland, S O’Connor, T O’Donnell, J O’Donoghue Replacements: N Scannell, D Kilcoyne, J Ryan, F Wycherley, R Copeland, J Hart, J Taute, S Zebo TV: BBC Sport Scotland/TG4 (KO 7.35pm) Match officials – Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU), AR1: Keith Allen (SRU), AR2: Lloyd Linton (SRU) TMO: Neil Paterson (SRU) Guinness PRO14 Final 2018 Ticket Information: Fans can save up to 20% on selected tickets, and prices start at just €30 for adults and €5 for children, and be booked via www.ticketmaster.ie
