Glasgow Warriors head coach Gregor Townsend hopes his players will take their opportunities to shine after including six debutants in the squad to face Munster. Glasgow sit top of the GUINNESS PRO12 and travel to Irish Independent Park where third-placed Munster have won their last four games. However, history is against Munster who have lost the last three meetings between the two sides and have not won since the 13-6 victory at Scotstoun in October 2013. Warriors have only lost once in the GUINNESS PRO12 since November and with only four points separating the teams, Townsend realises the significance of the match. "A number of players could make their debuts for the club this weekend, which is a big opportunity for them to show what they can do,” he said. "After last weekend's win over Ospreys, we now face another of the in-form teams in the GUINNESS PRO12 and we've had some massive games with Munster over the last couple of seasons. "They are sitting second in the league, just four points behind us, so we're well aware of the importance of this game." Warriors’ Adam Ashe will start at flanker in his first appearance since picking up a neck injury while playing for Scotland against New Zealand last November. He will be joined in the back row by debutant Will Bordill, while there is a whole new half-back pairing of Murray McConnell and Connor Braid, who are both also making their first appearances for the club. Alex Toolis, Tommy Spinks and D’arcy Rae are all among the replacements and will also make their debuts should they come on. Meanwhile, Munster head coach Anthony Foleys has made seven changes to the side that drew 25-25 with Scarlets, as centre Andrew Smith returns after recovering from a knee injury picked up in December. Jack O'Donoghue and Sean Dougall come into the back row while JJ Hanrahan and Ronan O’Mahony start at full-back and on the wing respectively. There is also an all-new front row of John Ryan and BJ Botha either side of hooker Eusebio Guinazu, who is excited to play against the side he believes is currently the league’s best. "They are a top team who have been playing very well,” he told the club website. “Glasgow are probably the best side in the competition so far and they were very strong last year as well. “This is an important game to set out where we want to go and to lay down a marker – we need to put in a good performance against teams like these if we have hopes of being league contenders. “I'm really looking forward to the challenge." Follow us on Facebook, join the conversation on Twitter, sign up to our YouTube channel for extensive match highlights and sign up for our newsletter for regular updates on the GUINNESS PRO12 At Irish Independent Park, 7.15pm Live on Sky Sports Referee: Nigel Owens (118th competition game) Assistant Referees: Mark Patton, John Carvill (both IRFU) Citing Commissioner: Peter Ferguson (IRFU) TMO: Dermot Moloney (IRFU)
