Glasgow v Munster: Munster will hope that they turned a corner of sorts last week, but if their first win of the season at the expense of Llanelli is to mean anything, then they have to start gathering momentum now. Not alone is the annual search for their European holy grail only a fortnight away, but they went into this weekend a hefty 16 points off the pace being set by the rampant Ospreys.
Glasgow, like many others, have lost back-to-back matches against the in-form Welsh duo of the Dragons and the Ospreys, prior to which they'd made an encouraging start. "They'll be messy enough," forewarns Munster coach Alan Gaffney. "We'll be going in as favourites I suppose, not that that tag does you any good in the overall wash-up of things. I'd imagine it will be quite a contest up front, but if we match them or get on top there, we'll have a huge shot at winning this one."
As with Leinster, disruptions in personnel and selections have led to a somewhat patchy start by Munster. Flawed defensively and up front, but nevertheless potent - especially out wide - in their earlier winless games, the return of most of their frontliners has seen them front up more in the trenches but struggle to convert their possession and opportunities into scores.
With the in-form trio of Christian Cullen, Shaun Payne and Anthony Horgan back in harness again, it will be intriguing to see how they gel with the new midfield and the Peter Stringer-Ronan O'Gara axis. O'Gara was probably more critical than anyone of his understandably rusty seasonal bow last week, but he'll surely improve, and his understanding with the rejuvenated Cullen will be one of the keys to that aforementioned pursuit of the European Cup.
A slight concern is that injuries to Rob Henderson, Jason Holland and Mossie Lawlor, have left Gaffney little option other than to pair two outside centres in midfield, with Mike Mullins switching inside to accommodate James Storey. Although looking sharp and hungry for work last week, even Mullins' biggest fans couldn't maintain he is the world's best defender.
Most of all though, Gaffney is looking for greater patience from Munster this week. "We got a bit scatty last week, and for some reason were trying to score off first phase. We needed to be more patient and build through the phases if necessary. But that will come with more game time together." The sooner the better, hopefully.
GLASGOW: R Kerr; S Lamont, G Morrison, A Henderson, K Logan; D Parks, S Pinder; K Tkachuk, G Bulloch, L Harrison, A Hall, D Turner, C Mather, J Petrie (capt), D Macfadyen. Replacements: S Lawson, E Murray, A Wilson, J Beattie, G Beveridge, C Howarth, A Craig.
MUNSTER: C Cullen; S Payne, J Storey, M Mullins, A Horgan; R O'Gara, P Stringer; M Horan, F Sheahan, J Hayes, T Bowman, T Hogan, A Quinlan, A Foley (capt), D Wallace. Replacements: J Flannery, G McIlwham, D Leamy, S Keogh, E Reddan, P Burke, J Kelly.
Referee: N Whitehouse (Wales).
Previous meetings: (03-04) CC Q-f: Glasgow Rugby 18, Munster 14; CL: Munster 26, Glasgow Rugby 10; CL: Glasgow Rugby 12, Munster 37.
Formguide: Glasgow: 15-31 v Connacht (a); 10-7 v Borders (a); 12-10 v Edinburgh (h); 29-38 v Dragons (h); 17-40 Ospreys (a). Munster: 17-34 v Ospreys (a); 27-27 v Connacht (h); 15-17 v Leinster (a); 19-13 v Llanelli.
Leading try scorers: Glasgow - Donnie Macfadyen 2. Munster - Christian Cullen 4, Denis Leamy 2.
Leading points scorers: Glasgow - Dan Parks 51. Munster - Paul Burke 29.
Forecast: Munster to win.
