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AS IT HAPPENED

As it happened: Munster v Glasgow Warriors, European Champions Cup

It’s set to be an emotionally charged afternoon in Limerick following the passing of Anthony Foley.

Good afternoon and welcome along to our live coverage of Munster’s delayed start to their 2016-17 European Champions Cup campaign.

Paul Dollery here back at base to keep you updated on the action between Munster and Glasgow Warriors, while Murray Kinsella is on the ground for us at Thomond Park for what’s set to be a hugely emotional occasion as Munster play their first game since last weekend’s tragic passing of head coach Anthony Foley, who was laid to rest yesterday.

If you want to join in, tweet us: @rugby_ie and @The42_ie, e-mail pauldollery@the42.ie or post your thoughts in the comments section below.

Kick-off in Limerick is at 1pm.

Flags flying at half-mast outside Thomond Park as a mark of respect to Anthony Foley.

Flags fly at half mast in tribute to the late Munster Head Coach Anthony Foley Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

Here’s how the teams will line up today…

Munster:

15. Simon Zebo
14. Darren Sweetnam
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. Donnacha Ryan
5. Billy Holland
6. Peter O’Mahony (captain)
7. Tommy O’Donnell
24. CJ Stander

Replacements:

16. Duncan Casey
17. Brian Scott
18. Stephen Archer
19. Robin Copeland
20. Jack O’Donoghue
21. Duncan Williams
22. Ian Keatley
23. Ronan O’Mahony

Glasgow Warriors:

15. Stuart Hogg
14. Sean Lamont
13. Alex Dunbar
12. Sam Johnson
11. Rory Hughes
10. Finn Russell
9. Henry Pyrgos

1. Gordon Reid
2. Fraser Brown
3. Zander Fagerson
4. Tim Swinson
5. Jonny Gray
6. Rob Harley
7. Ryan Wilson
8. Josh Strauss

Replacements:

16. Pat MacArthur
17. Alex Allan
18. Sila Puafisi
19. Lewis Wynne
20. Simone Favaro
21. Ali Price
22. Mark Bennett
23. Peter Murchie

Munster will wear a special commemorative jersey today, and throughout the remainder of this season’s European Champions Cup campaign.

A view of an embroidered jersey in tribute to the late Munster Head Coach Anthony Foley Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

Glasgow Warriors are also paying their respects.

A view of an embroidered Glasgow Warriors jersey in tribute to the late Munster Head Coach Anthony Foley Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

While Munster’s opening Pool 1 game against Racing 92 was postponed last weekend, Glasgow will be aiming to make it two wins from two following their very impressive 42-13 victory over Leicester Tigers.

Munster fans queuing up to sign a book of condolence at Thomond Park this morning.

A view of the Glasgow Warriors jerseys ahead of the game Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

Anthony Foley is remembered in today’s match programme. The proceeds from the programme sales will go towards a fund or charitable cause to be agreed upon by the Foley family, with support from Munster Rugby.

A view of the match day programme listing the achievements of the late Munster Head Coach Anthony Foley Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

On the pitch before kick-off, in recognising Anthony Foley’s achievements and lifelong association with Shannon RFC, the Munster Rugby Supporter’s Club Choir will perform ‘There Is An Isle’, and soprano Sinead O’Brien will join the choir for ‘Stand Up And Fight’.

Blue skies over Thomond Park this morning.

A general view of Thomond Park ahead of the game Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

A minute’s silence will also be observed later on, during which a special tribute to Anthony Foley will take place in the Thomond Park’s West Stand.

It’s going to be an incredibly emotional day for the Munster players, led by captain Peter O’Mahony.

Peter O'Mahony arrives for the game Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

Just a small selection of the tributes outside Thomond Park.

Tributes are paid to Anthony Foley outside Thomond Park Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

A handshake between Glasgow Warriors captain Jonny Gray and Munster skipper Peter O’Mahony before the coin toss.

Peter O'Mahony and Jonny Gray with Jérôme Garcès Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

Try watching Sky Sports’ tribute to Anthony Foley without shedding a tear.

“The guys are coping. They’re doing pretty well,” Munster Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus tells Sky Sports.

Rassie Erasmus interviewed ahead of the game Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

A minute’s silence has been observed impeccably and I think that’s the last bit of silence we’ll have all day in Limerick.

Incredible atmosphere with Munster versus Glasgow Warriors set to kick off. Here we go…

TRY! Munster 5 Glasgow Warriors 0 (Bleyendaal, 4)

Munster 7 Glasgow Warriors 0

What a start for Munster. Keith Earls releases Tyler Bleyendaal with a lovely offload and the out-half gets over the line, as confirmed by the TMO, before adding the conversion. That’s exactly what Munster needed. To no great surprise, they’re well up for this.

Munster 7 Glasgow Warriors 0

Kickable penalty for Glasgow but they opt to go for the corner. However, Munster turn it over from the lineout and they’ll have the put-in to the scrum just inside their own 22.

Munster 7 Glasgow Warriors 3

Munster in off their feet and Finn Russell slots over a straightforward penalty for the visitors to get them on the scoreboard.

TRY! Munster 12 Glasgow Warriors 3 (Taute, 14)

Munster 14 Glasgow Warriors 3 

Wonderful try for Munster, engineered by some excellent work by Tyler Bleyendaal as Jaco Taute gets in out on the left for his second Munster try, before Bleyendaal — who has made some start — adds the conversion from a very difficult angle.

Munster 14 Glasgow Warriors 3

Big hit on Finn Russell by Jaco Taute! The South African is doing a fine job of making himself a Munster fan favourite so far.

Munster 14 Glasgow Warriors 3

Keith Earls could be in trouble here for a tackle on Fraser Brown, who landed dangerously. Referee Jerome Garces is asking for the TMO’s assistance.

Red card: Munster’s Keith Earls sent off for a dangerous tackle

Munster 14 Glasgow Warriors 3

Earls’ tip tackle on Fraser Brown saw him land on his neck and Munster are down to 14 men, but Finn Russell misses the subsequent penalty.

Munster 14 Glasgow Warriors 3

Earls was furious as he left the pitch but, in truth, he can probably have few complaints.

Munster 14 Glasgow Warriors 3

Munster have responded to that blow really positively, as Bleyendaal goes for the corner in search of a third try. Apart from the red card it’s been very good from the home side so far.

Munster 14 Glasgow Warriors 3

An absolutely huge scrum earns Munster a penalty inside Glasgow’s 22 and Bleyendaal will go for the posts.

Munster 17 Glasgow Warriors 3

Again he makes no mistake and Munster now lead by 14.

Munster 17 Glasgow Warriors 3

Glasgow have been struggling in the scrums and they’ve already made a front-row change, with Alex Allan replacing Gordon Reid.

TRY! Munster 22 Glasgow Warriors 3 (Zebo, 30)

Munster 24 Glasgow Warriors 3

Superb work by Rory Scannell leads to Zebo getting in at the corner. The TMO was needed but the try was given and Bleyendaal brilliantly slots over another difficult conversion.

Munster 24 Glasgow Warriors 3

“By far the best Munster have played this season,” says Stuart Barnes on Sky Sports. “This is rolling back to the years when they were one of the great European forces.”

Munster 24 Glasgow Warriors 3

Another change for Glasgow: Simone Favaro comes on to replace Josh Strauss in the back-row.

Munster 24 Glasgow Warriors 3

Glasgow threatening as half-time approaches but the Scots are penalised for crossing.

Half-time: Munster 24 Glasgow Warriors 3

Munster 24 Glasgow Warriors 3

What a half of rugby that was from Munster. Glasgow have a one-man advantage heading into the second half following the dismissal of Keith Earls, but with a 21-point deficit and Munster looking inspired, it’ll be a difficult road back for the visitors.

A view of Thomond Park as the two teams stand for a minutes silence in memory of Anthony Foley Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

The second half is underway at Thomond Park.

Munster 24 Glasgow Warriors 3 

Conor Murray picks and drives before trying to touch the ball against the base of the post. It goes to the TMO but Munster are out of luck on this occasion.

Munster 24 Glasgow Warriors 3

Still pushing for that all-important fourth try, CJ Stander peels off the back of the scrum and goes for the line but it’s held up.

TRY! Munster 29 Glasgow Warriors 3 (Penalty try, 47)

Munster 31 Glasgow Warriors 3

That’s the bonus point secured. It was coming too. With Munster relentlessly knocking at the door, Jerome Garces penalises Glasgow as they bring down the scrum before Bleyendaal adds the extras.

Munster 31 Glasgow Warriors 3

It’s just not going to be Glasgow’s day, is it? Russell goes for touch but the ball goes out on the full. They’re getting frustrated.

Munster 31 Glasgow Warriors 3

The bonus point is secured but Munster aren’t taking their foot off the pedal. Peter O’Mahony instructs Bleyendaal to go for the corner.

Munster 31 Glasgow Warriors 3

Standing ovation from the Thomond crowd for Munster captain Peter O’Mahony as he’s replaced by Jack O’Donoghue.

Munster 31 Glasgow Warriors 3

Rory Hughes looked to be in at the corner for Glasgow but Zebo and Sweetnam did fantastically well to force him into touch.

TRY! Munster 31 Glasgow Warriors 8 (MacArthur, 66)

Munster 31 Glasgow Warriors 10

Pat MacAthur gets over for Glasgow’s first try of the game to leave the deficit at 21 points. Can they get back into this?

Munster 31 Glasgow Warriors 10

Scannell was almost in there for a try off Murray’s pass but he fumbled and Glasgow survive.

Munster 31 Glasgow Warriors 10

Incredible defending from Sweetnam to deny Glasgow a try.

TRY! Munster 31 Glasgow Warriors 15 (Bennett, 70)

Munster 31 Glasgow Warriors 17

Another one for Glasgow, this time from Mark Bennett as the visitors finally appear to be making use of their numerical advantage. Two converted tries between them with eight minutes to play.

TRY! Munster 36 Glasgow Warriors 17 (Scannell, 75)

Munster 38 Glasgow Warriors 17

Well deserved try for Rory Scannell in the corner off a neat pass from Murray. Keatley nails the conversion from a tough angle.

Munster 38 Glasgow Warriors 17

Tyler Bleyendaal, the player who started it all today, is man of the match. He chipped in with 16 points including the game’s first try.

Full-time: Munster 38 Glasgow Warriors 17

There have been many, many big days in the history of Munster Rugby but this has to be right up there with the best of them. Six days after the death of their head coach and playing for an hour with just 14 men, they blew Glasgow away to get their European Champions Cup campaign off to a dream start. Phenomenal.

Jaco Taute celebrates scoring a try Tommy Dickson / INPHO Tommy Dickson / INPHO / INPHO

A day of raw emotion awaits for Munster at a passionate Thomond Park

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