Glasgow Warriors v Munster: Guinness PRO12 preview
By Tony Tighe
Last Updated: 19/02/16 11:24pm
A host of international names return to club action on Friday night when Glasgow Warriors host Munster at Rugby Park, live on Sky Sports 5 HD.
Scotland quartet Sean Lamont, Gordon Reid, Tim Swinson and Duncan Weir all return to the Glasgow starting XV, with prop Zander Fagerson named on the bench, while Munster hand starts to Ireland forwards Tommy O'Donnell and Donnacha Ryan.
Friday's game has been moved to the home of Kilmarnock FC due to Scotstoun being waterlogged, and the Warriors' only victory in their last seven games came at this venue when they beat Racing 92 last month.
Head coach Gregor Townsend makes nine changes to the team that lost 13-10 at Ulster last weekend. Wallaby wing Taqele Naiyaravoro is promoted from the bench while Peter Horne partners Glenn Bryce in midfield.
Weir returns at scrum-half with skipper Josh Strauss and Chris Fusaro named in the back row.
"It's our first home game for a few weeks, against one of our contenders for a play-off spot so it's an important match for us," said Townsend.
"Munster are one of the top teams in the league, so we're well aware of the challenge we face at Rugby Park."
Munster have lost four of their last six PRO12 games and head coach Anthony Foley makes five changes to the team beaten at home by the Ospreys last Sunday.
Ryan and O'Donnell return to the pack with fellow Ireland international James Cronin among the replacements. Niall Scannell is named at hooker while captain Billy Holland moves into the second row.
Tomás O'Leary is given the nod at scrum-half and David Johnston replaces All Black Francis Saili at outside centre.
Glasgow Warriors: 15 Peter Murchie, 14 Taqele Naiyaravoro, 13 Glenn Bryce, 12 Peter Horne, 11 Sean Lamont, 10 Duncan Weir, 9 Ali Price; 1 Gordon Reid, 2 James Malcolm, 3 Sila Puafisi, 4 Tim Swinson, 5 Leone Nakarawa, 6 Rob Harley, 7 Chris Fusaro, 8 Josh Strauss (c).
Replacements: 16 Cammy Fenton, 17 Jerry Yanuyanutawa, 18 Zander Fagerson, 19 Greg Peterson, 20 Simone Favaro, 21 Grayson Hart, 22 Fraser Lyle, 23 Rory Hughes.
Munster: 15 Andrew Conway, 14 Darren Sweetnam, 13 David Johnston, 12 Rory Scannell, 11 Ronan O'Mahony; 10 Ian Keatley, 9 Tomás O'Leary; 1 Dave Kilcoyne, 2 Niall Scannell, 3 John Ryan, 4 Donnacha Ryan, 5 Billy Holland (c), 6 Jack O'Donoghue, 7 Tommy O'Donnell, 8 Robin Copeland.
Replacements: 16 Mike Sherry, 17 James Cronin, 18 Mario Sagario, 19 Dave Foley, 20 Conor Oliver, 21 Duncan Williams, 22 Johnny Holland, 23 Cian Bohane.
Watch Glasgow v Munster live on Sky Sports 5 HD on Friday from 7pm. Catch the match for £6.99 on NOW TV. No contract.