So, here we are.
Munster are on the brink of securing a return to the Champions Cup quarter-finals for the first time in three years but they face their toughest assignment yet in the form of group rivals Glasgow Warriors.
The southern province are in control of their own destiny and know victory under the lights at Scotstoun would assure them of progression through to the knock-out stages.
It is, essentially, a group shout-out tonight and this one has all the ingredients to be a real European classic.
Strap yourselves in, kick-off is fast approaching at 5.30pm.
The teams have arrived, the supporters are in full voice, and the scene is set.
Let’s take a check of the starting XVs, as named by the Gregor Townsend and Rassie Erasmus yesterday.
The visitors make four changes from the side that won in Paris last weekend with Keith Earls, Dave Kilcoyne, Jean Kleyn and Jack O’Donoghue all drafted into the side.
Munster:
15. Simon Zebo
14. Andrew Conway
13. Jaco Taute
12. Rory Scannell
11. Keith Earls
10. Tyler Bleyendaal
9. Conor Murray
1. Dave Kilcoyne
2. Niall Scannell
3. John Ryan
4. Jean Kleyn
5. Donnacha Ryan
6. Peter O’Mahony (captain)
7. Jack O’Donoghue
8. CJ Stander
Replacements:
16. Rhys Marshall
17. James Cronin
18. Thomas Du Toit
19. Dave Foley
20. Billy Holland
21. Duncan Williams
22. Ian Keatley
23. Francis Saili
Glasgow Warriors:
15. Stuart Hogg
14. Tommy Seymour
13. Mark Bennett
12. Alex Dunbar
11. Lee Jones
10. Finn Russell
9. Ali Price
1. Gordon Reid
2. Fraser Brown
3. Zander Fagerson
4. Tim Swinson
5. Jonny Gray (captain)
6. Rob Harley
7. Ryan Wilson
8. Josh Strauss
Replacements:
16. Pat MacArthur
17. Alex Allan
18. D’arcy Rae
19. Matt Fagerson
20. Chris Fusaro
21. Grayson Hart
22. Nick Grigg
23. Peter Murchie
Ryan Bailey here to guide you through all the action as it happens and Murray Kinsella is in position at Scotstoun as we bring you minute-by-minute coverage of this Pool 1 encounter.
Which way do you see this one going? If you want to join in the conversation, tweet us: @rugby_ie and @The42_ie, e-mail ryan@the42.ie or post your thoughts in the comments section below.
The game is live on Sky Sports 2, and Rassie Erasmus has been speaking pre-match.
“For both sides, it’s going to be a massive physical and tactical challenge.”
A cracking atmosphere is building under the lights at Scotstoun.
It may be chilly in Glasgow but the atmosphere is really building ahead of this one. As always, there is a large travelling contingent from Munster and they’re making their presence known.
Peter O’Mahony looked absolutely pumped in the tunnel as the teams entered the arena. The stakes couldn’t be any higher for both sides.
Kick-off! We’re underway at Scotstoun.
Glasgow come out of the blocks quickly and ask questions of Munster’s defence from the off.
Cries of ‘Glasgow, Glasgow, Glasgow’ ring around Scotstoun as Andrew Conway is forced to scramble back after Finn Russell stabs it through. Munster will have the throw but it has been a good start from the hosts.
From the lineout, referee Luke Pearce awards Munster the penalty and Rory Scannell launches it down this near touchline.
Glasgow enjoying all the early running and another chip-and-chase very nearly comes off for Russell but he just couldn’t gather it under pressure by CJ Stander. A breathless start.
Six minutes of Glasgow pressure but Munster have stood firm and they win the penalty, which Tyler Bleyendaal finds touch with on the far side. Scannell will hope for a better throw with his second attempt.
Scannell’s throw is better but Jean Kleyn is unable to gather cleanly and Glasgow force the error. Jonny Gray, meanwhile, is receiving attention and doesn’t look overly comfortable. He’s staying on for now as we restart with a Glasgow scrum.
It was a bit scrappy but Glasgow retain possession. Munster are quickly up and Russell skips a couple of red shirts with a looping pass out left. Hogg then sees space in behind but the kick wasn’t the best, although Zebo is forced into touch and Glasgow win the lineout.
Glasgow dominate at scrum time again and the decision goes their way. Russell calls for the tee and will have the chance to get Glasgow on the board.
Penalty! Glasgow 3-0 Munster (Russell)
And the hosts have got some reward for their bright start as Russell dissects the posts with his first effort.
This time Zander Fagerson is penalised — and Bleyendaal has the chance to level the scores almost instantly but he doesn’t have the distance from the halfway line.
Bit of much ado about nothing near halfway as both sets of players come together after O’Mahony and Ryan Wilson tangle. The referee calms things down and we restart with a Munster lineout.
After that little schemozzle, Munster work it wide before Murray box kicks. The Munster scrum-half isn’t happy with Josh Strauss, who came through a little over the ball had gone.
Penalty for Munster after a high tackle on Earls. This should be a lot more straightforward for Bleyendaal.
Penalty! Glasgow 3-3 Munster (Bleyendaal)
The Kiwi strikes it sweetly and between the posts. We’re level pegging after 20 minutes.
An uncharacteristic error from CJ Stander from the restart. The Irish international takes his eye off the ball and knocks it on. Glasgow scrum inside the Munster 22 and this is a prime attacking platform for the hosts.
A rare foray into opposition territory for Munster. They showed good patience and control by working it through the phases. Stander and Ryan barge their way towards the line but Glasgow stand firm and win the penalty at the breakdown. It’s on a knife-edge.
Glasgow putting Munster under incredible pressure and the visitors are penalised for holding on. Stuart Hogg is going to have a shot at goal.
Penalty! Glasgow 6-3 Munster (Hogg)
He has some boot and absolutely nails it from halfway. Glasgow back in-front.
Tempers are fraying again. Munster win the penalty but Josh Strauss chats back and Luke Pearce marches forward another 10 metres. Whilst that’s happening, players from both sides get involved in some unnecessary handbags.
Penalty! Glasgow 3-3 Munster (Bleyendaal)
And we’re level again. Nothing between the sides on the pitch or scoreboard as we approach the end of an intriguing first half.
Munster are now penalised for a high tackle on halfway. The referee appears to be allowing Russell to take it from five metres closer to the posts but the TMO has a word in his ear and tee is moved back towards halfway.
Hogg then takes over the kicking duty but he pushes his effort left of the posts and Munster get away with it.
Half-time! Glasgow 6-6 Munster
Teams are back out and we’re off and running again. A huge 40 minutes of rugby ahead.
This game is being played at a millions miles an hour — and the hosts have come out of the blocks quickly again.
A scrappy passage of play sees Glasgow spill the ball and then Munster hand it back to them. Cleaner ball comes from the scrum and Hogg makes good ground on the far touchline but Munster have been heroic in defence again. Earls steps up and nicks it before Murray clears.
Glasgow really knocking on the Munster door as they launch everything at the red wall that stands in front of them.
Swinson finds a rare gap but there are no support runners and he has to go into contact. Munster are then penalised at the breakdown and Russell has the chance to put his side back into the lead.
Penalty! Glasgow 9-6 Munster (Russell)
It sails over and Glasgow edge ahead.
Russell sees his clearance kick charged down but the bounce of the ball was unkind to Munster and Glasgow are able to clear the danger. James Cronin, meanwhile, is on for Dave Kilcoyne.
Penalty! Glasgow 9-9 Munster (Bleyendaal)
Glasgow are pinged for not rolling away and for the third time this evening, Bleyendaal levels proceedings from the tee.
Glasgow drive back into the Munster 22 but more brilliant work from CJ Stander sees the visitors turn it over. Absolutely nothing to separate the sides with less than 30 minutes remaining.
Another change made by Rassie Erasmus.
Glasgow knock it on and Zebo gathers before booting it up field and into touch. Jaco Taute makes way for Frances Saili before we restart.
Penalty! Glasgow 12-9 Munster (Russell)
Advantage to Glasgow for the fourth time. CJ Stander gives away the penalty at a maul and Russell makes no mistake.
Another Munster change.
Concern here for Conor Murray as he lays stricken on the ground after a collision with Swinson. The medics are called for immediately but he appears to be okay and is ready to continue.
Conor Murray is now going off for a HIA after that knock.
Rory Scannell loses the ball but shows good composure to gather it again and fire a beautifully-struck kick in behind the Glasgow defence and into touch on this near side. 13 minutes remaining.
Mistake from Ali Price as his kick goes out on the full. We’re going all the way back to the Glasgow 22 and Munster have the lineout. From there, they get the maul rolling and this is a big chance for the southern province.
Into the 20th phase now as Munster knock on the door, searching for a way through this Glasgow rearguard. It’s going right and Munster have numbers…
Scannell loops it out towards Conway and he managed to evade the first tackle but appears to be stopped just short as Lee Jones gets across brilliantly to deny the Munster winger. But was that a high tackle from Stuart Hogg in the build-up? We’re going upstairs.
Yellow card! But no penalty try. Hogg was recklessly high on Conway and the referee and TMO agree that it’s a yellow card offence. Glasgow will finish the game with at least 14 men.
Conor Murray is back on and Munster go for the corner with the penalty. The visitors going for the jugular as we enter the final 10 minutes.
TRY! Glasgow 12-14 Munster (Saili)
It’s there! Munster bide their time and when it comes out from the forwards, they have the extra man and it’s Saili in the corner after a brilliant offload from Earls.
Bleyendaal is unable to add the extras and that means Glasgow can still win it with a penalty or drop goal.
And Glasgow charge down Munster’s attempted clearance! We’re in for a grandstand finish as the Warriors work the angles and go through the phases. Russell has dropped into the pocket, but there’s still plenty of time remaining.
But that’s huge! Munster are under all sorts of pressure but they manage to turn it over and Scotstoun falls silent again.
Munster retain possession from the scrum but here come Glasgow again as they throw everything at the red wall in the last few minutes. Incredible finish to this game as Swinson charges up the left touchline. He’s stopped in his tracks and Munster just about manage to clear the danger.
How many times have we said this today but brilliant defensive work from Munster as Conway forces the Glasgow into touch and Munster have the lineout with seconds remaining.
FULL-TIME! Glasgow 12-14 Munster
Munster join Leinster in booking their place in the Champions Cup quarter-finals with a hard-fought victory at Scotstoun. An epic game of rugby.
A lap of honour.
Here’s Murray Kinsella’s report from Scotstoun.
What a weekend it has been so far for the provinces and Ulster will be hoping to complete a clean sweep at Exeter tomorrow.
Thanks for joining us this afternoon and until next time, goodbye!
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