Glasgow Warriors today named their team to face Munster in the first Magners League match to take place at the redeveloped Thomond Park tomorrow (ko 7.00pm).
The starting line-up remains largely unchanged from the Warriors’ 34-20 victory over Llanelli Scarlets though a squad rotation sees Graeme Morrison make way for Andrew Henderson at inside-centre while the injured Dan Parks (knee) is replaced by Colin Gregor.

The squad will be ‘welcomed’ to a packed Thomond Park which, at capacity, will hold some 25,000 vocal fans.

Glasgow Warriors head coach Sean Lineen said: “It’s always interesting to see how both sets of players and the referee react when the crowd get the noise levels up – it’s going to be a full house, it’s going to be unbelievably noisy, so they have got to make sure they’re switched on.

“If Munster get some momentum they are very difficult to beat, they have quality players and they are very strong so we have to make sure we look after the ball, tackle hard and make sure we’re not intimidated.

“Contact is going to be a big area for us. They had a game against Leinster on Sunday that was a real gladiatorial battle and Munster finally wore them down in about the 74th minute. We’ve got to go right to the end, right to the final whistle, and we’ve got to front up.”

Fronting up is exactly what is needed to overcome the formidable European Champions however despite the omission of the experienced Parks and Morrison, Lineen is happy his replacements are up to scratch.

“Andrew’s an international 12 and is champing at the bit to play, I’d be a fool not to rotate the squad and give the guy a chance. Graeme played very well against the Scarlets last week and now it’s up to Andy to show us what he’s got; and what better place to do it – he’s played in front of big crowds before so it’s a chance for him to make his mark on the game”, said Lineen.

“Dan could play if we were really desperate but we have options that allow us to leave him out. Colin Gregor’s done well against Munster in the past, he’s a skilled footballer and I like the way he plays. If he gets the support from the players around him and he manages to make good decisions under real pressure then I think he could have a cracking game.”

The Glasgow Warriors v Munster match will be broadcast live on Setanta on Saturday 4 October (kick-off 7.00pm).

Glasgow Warriors

15 Bernardo Stortoni

14 Lome Fa'atau
13 Max Evans
12 Andrew Henderson
11 Thom Evans

10 Colin Gregor
9 Mark McMillan

1 Justin Va'a
2 Dougie Hall
3 Moray Low
4 Opeta Palepoi
5 Alastair Kellock (CAPTAIN)
6 Kelly Brown
7 John Barclay
8 Johnnie Beattie

Replacements

17 Ed Kalman
16 Kevin Tkachuk
18 Tim Barker
19 Stevie Swindall
20 Ruaridh Jackson
21 Graeme Morrison
22 Hefin O'Hare

This article was posted on 3-Oct-2008, 10:56 by Hugh Barrow.