Advertisement
Sean Dougall breaks for Munster in the first half. Dan Sheridan/INPHO
AS IT HAPPENED

As it happened: Glasgow v Munster, Pro12 semi-final

Rob Penney’s men were in Scotland hoping to ensure an all-Irish final by beating the in-form Warriors.

NO MORE PERMUTATIONS, no more bonus points and no more battling for positions in the overall table; it was time to kick-off the Pro12 knock-out rugby.

Munster were in Glasgow to take on Gregor Townsend’s ever-improving Warriors. Rob Penney’s time with the province is now at an end, as this competition provided his final chance to claim silverware before jetting off to Japan.

Conditions were ideal at Scotstoun, and we were served up a thrilling game.

As always, we’d love to hear your thoughts on the game. E-mail murray@thescore.ie, tweet @thescore_iepost a message to our Facebook wall, or leave a comment below.

You may need to refresh the page for YouTube videos and other elements to display correctly.

Glasgow 16 – 15 Munster

Welcome along to our liveblog of what should be an excellent game in Glasgow. These are two sides who have shown a willingness to shift the ball into wide channels when opportunities to do so arise, even if both have a balancing realistic edge.

We’ll have the starting teams for you momentarily…

Here’s how the teams and benches look for this evening. The omission of Stuart Hogg from Glasgow’s match-day squad has caused some surprise, while Tommy O’Donnell misses out for Munster.

Glasgow: Peter Murchie; Sean Maitland, Mark Bennett, Alex Dunbar, Tommy Seymour; Finn Russell, Chris Cusiter: Ryan Grant, Dougie Hall, Jon Welsh; Jonny Gray, Al Kellock (capt.); Rob Harley, Chris Fusaro, Josh Strauss.

Replacements: Pat MacArthur,  Gordon Reid, Geoff Cross, Tim Swinson, Leone Nakarawa, Niko Matawalu, Ruaridh Jackson, Sean Lamont.

Munster: Felix Jones; Keith Earls, Casey Laulala, James Downey, Simon Zebo; Ian Keatley, Conor Murray; Dave Kilcoyne, Damien Varley (capt.), BJ Botha; Dave Foley, Paul O’Connell; CJ Stander, Sean Dougall, James Coughlan.

Replacements: Quentin MacDonald, James Cronin, John Ryan, Donncha O’Callaghan, Paddy Butler, Duncan Williams, JJ Hanrahan, Andrew Conway.

Paul O’Connell and Munster looked to be in a determined mood as they arrived in Scotstoun.

Paul O'Connell arrives Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO

The referee for this evening’s game is Marius Mitrea of the Italian Rugby Federation.

So, how do you see this one going? Is Glasgow’s strong form an indicator that they can secure a home win, or will Munster bounce back from the poor performance against Ulster last weekend?

Captains Damien Varley and Al Kellock have gone through the coin toss with Mitrea.

Referee Marius Mitrea with Alastair Kellock and Damien Varley during the coin toss Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO

While Keith Earls has been out to test the pitch…

Keith Earls Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

Where will this encounter be won and lost? Glasgow are excellent at clinically punishing the opposition on turnover ball, while Munster’s maul has been a strength this season. There are so many factors that could be integral to the result, five of which we looked at earlier today:

5 key areas ahead of Munster’s Pro12 semi-final against Glasgow

How will Rob Penney and Simon Mannix be remembered by Munster fans if this is the end of their season?

Rob Penney Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

We’re not far from kick-off now and the nerves will be kicking in for Munster fans in Scotstoun and at home. Who are the key men in this game?

Ian Keatley needs to control proceedings as best he can, limiting those chances for the Glasgow defence to benefit from Munster errors. Up front, Paul O’Connell is likely to be as visible as ever, while Keith Earls will be looking for tries in the wide channels.

Is there confidence among the Munster fans out there? Last weekend was hugely disappointing against Ulster but, as always, they are likely to raise their game for the important encounter.

Glasgow do the basics superbly well, and are excellent at finishing their chances. It will be interesting to see how Munster adapt their tactics – or don’t – to deal with the Warriors’ ability.

Anthony Foley takes over next season, with the expectation that Munster’s general game plan will take on an altogether different guise. Here’s the former No. 8 during the warm-up.

Anthony Foley Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

The teams are out on the Scotstoun pitch and we’re almost ready for kick-off…

There will be a minute’s silence in Glasgow before we get underway.

The silence in memory of Hugh McLeod is complete and Keatley is ready to kick-off…

1 minute - Munster win possession and they attack with real pace early on. One sloppy pass wide on the right, and not making much progress up the pitch…

3 minutes - Ooh, an early error for Keatley as he kicks directly into touch from inside the Munster half. Little gainline advance there for the away side, before the out-half kicked it away. Glasgow with their first chance to attack from the line-out…

4 minutes - Strong early defence from Munster repels that first Glasgow foray into the visitors’ half and Keatley boots the ball clear after a turnover. The Warriors are only too happy to run that back though, making good gains up the left…

5 minutes – Casey Laulala is getting some attention with what looks like a stinger after he bounced off an attempted hit. Again, Munster’s defence looked organised and comfortable in dealing with Glasgow’s straightforward phase play.

We’ll re-start with a Munster scrum inside their own half as Laulala returns.

7 minutes - Free kick to Munster on that first scrum battle as Glasgow’s front row get pinged for pushing early. Keatley launches a garryowen out of the Munster half…

8 minutes - Finn Russell and Josh Strauss have been very prominent for the Warriors so far, as has Jonny Gray. However, the latter is getting a little isolated with his carries and he’s coughed up a turnover penalty on the latest Glasgow attack.

Keatley kicks to touch out on Munster’s right, around 12 metres from the Warriors’ tryline…

9 minutes - Downey boshes up the centre…

10 minutes - The forwards take over… Hammering the Glasgow tryline!

10 minutes - Referee Marius Mitrea is going upstairs for a decision! The TMO is being asked for a reason “not to award the try” as Munster’s players celebrate. The TMO is also checking on foul play off the ball as Keith Earls got involved with Dunbar…

10 minutes - Lots of wrestling from Earls and Dunbar, as the TMO continues to investigate the incident. Not a huge amount in it.

10 minutes - Now the TMO moves on to look at the potential try. Seems there will be no cards for foul play…

TRY! Glasgow 0-5 Munster (Varley ’10)

CONVERSION! Glasgow 0-7 (Keatley ’11)

Lovely strike and a brilliant start for Munster! That was a clinical visit to the Glasgow 22, using Downey to get over the gainline off the line-out then allowing the forwards to pick and go until they forced their way over. Very effective.

12 minutes - There’s been an early change for Munster.

Casey Laulala is off with that shoulder issue, with Andrew Conway replacing the Kiwi. Earls shifts into outside centre.

13 minutes - BJ Botha has conceded a penalty around 45 metres from the Munster posts, meaning Russell will have his first effort at goal. The South African prop failed to release after making his tackle.

14 minutes – No, that’s wide to the right and Munster maintain their 7-0 lead.

16 minutes - Munster spoil another good period of defensive play by failing to roll way from the ruck, Keith Earls the man penalised. Lots of good shape in D for Penney’s men though, and some superb in-contact wrestling and grappling.

Here’s Russell…

PENALTY! Glasgow 3-7 Munster (Russell ’17)

Far better strike from out to the right of the posts, around 30 metres from the tryline.

Laulala was gutted to be forced off so early in the game..

Casey Laulala goes off injured Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

20 minutes - A clever kick from Ian Keatley forced Glasgow back into their 22 for a defensive line-out. Munster not going as high into the phases in their attack between the 22s so far, with Keatley seemingly happy to kick in behind the Warriors when there are no immediate openings.

21 minutes - Munster back in possession after Glasgow clear their lines. O’Connell and Botha carry strongly, but the South African is isolated and the penalty comes as he clings onto the ball under turnover pressure.

24 minutes - Glasgow ‘s attack is quite narrow so far, as they probe the fringes on either side of the rucks. Munster are competing ferociously for turnovers, but are having little return in that area so far. Jonny Gray surges towards the Munster 22…

26 minutes - Brilliant turnover from Munster to end Glasgow’s extended passage of possession. The Irish province have been so strong without the ball in this game, smashing the ball carrier and then getting their hands on the ball to slow it.

Change for Glasgow:

Gordon Reid on for Ryan Grant in the front row, with the latter looking battered.

28 minutes - We’d agree with this assessment of Glasgow’s heavy amount of possession. Munster are enjoying their defensive duties.

29 minutes - Sean Maitland breaks up the left, finally making big gains for Glasgow, but he is halted by a huge hit from Felix Jones. Great recovery and then they finally win  a turnover penalty, as Varley clamps over the ball nice and early. Brilliant by Munster!

Here’s a shot of Varley’s try for Munster from close-range:

Damien Varley scores a try Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

30 minutes – Munster metres out after Dougall breaks…

31 minutes – Mitrea is going to the TMO again – “Try or no try?” It all came from an excellent dummy loop play by Munster, allowing Dougall to burst up the middle of the pitch. Wonderful attacking play. Doesn’t look like a try for Zebo though…

31 minutes - Still no decision, but Josh Strauss is leaving the pitch injured. Huge blow for Glasgow.

31 minutes - No try!

31 minutes - Glasgow win a penalty at the subsequent scrum and will be able to clear from their 22. The loss of Strauss may be telling though, he’s so crucial to their line-out, breakdown, ball carrying and as a leader.

Leone Nakarawa on for Josh Strauss in Glasgow’s back row.

32 minutes - Alex Dunbar and then Sean Maitland make big gains for Glasgow, but then they throw a loose pass to allow Munster to re-set their defensive shape. Nakarawa is the next to carry, and does so powerfully..

34 minutes - Again, Munster’s strong defensive line forces Glasgow into an error, as Russell’s pass goes right behind his backline and Bennett is forced into a speculative kick after scampering back to grab the pill. It sails into touch and Munster will have the throw.

35 minutes - Maitland looks really dangerous any time he gets his hands on the ball, but Munster’s aggressive defence is handling everything else Glasgow are throwing at it so far. Until the latest surge leads to Munster conceding a penalty, as they again fail to release the tackled player.

Russell will have a shot from 23 metres out, to the left of the posts…

PENALTY! Glasgow 6-7 Munster (Russell ’36)

No mistake from the 21-year-old out-half.

TheScore.ie reader Darren Doheny is not wrong with this statement:

Serious hits going in here!!!

Paul O'Connell tackled by Al Kellock and Josh Strauss Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

38 minutes - Felix Jones is being forced off with a possible knock to the head. A real pity as he has been playing superbly. JJ Hanrahan comes on, so that means a re-shuffle of the backline. Jones looks a little dazed…

Felix Jones off for JJ Hanrahan.

39 minutes - Munster penalised at the latest scrum, as Mitrea reckons Botha went to deck. Russell from 38 metres out…

PENALTY! Glasgow 9-7 Munster (Russell ’39)

40 minutes - Keatley looks to have shifted into the back three at the moment, and he has played there in the past so it would make sense. Hanrahan being asked to step in at out-half…

HALF TIME: Glasgow 9-7 Munster

A half chance on the counter attack there just before the break after Downey knocked-on, but Harley hacks the ball into touch. Glasgow lead but they have had to work extremely hard for that advantage. Munster with the only try of the game and some brilliant defence so far.

Quite the compliment for the Warriors. What have you made of their efforts so far?

TheScore.ie reader Eimz T is bang on the money here. It’s not often that the Pro12 comes in for praise, but this game is physically on par with many Heineken Cup encounters. Huge hits all over the park and lots of strong carrying from both side.

Unbelievably physical game, frightening hits. Just wonder how long both teams can keep this up for.

41 minutes - We are back under way at Scotstoun!

42 minutes - More superb defensive work from Munster with a choke tackle turnover to start the second half after Glasgow went through multiple phases. As they do so, our reader Brian O’Connor has the exact same though as us:

I would be more worried about Munster’s lack of possession. Defending endlessly wears players out.

42 metres – Munster make 15 smart metres out of their own half as a solid scrum allow the backs to swing it wide to Simon Zebo out on the left. But as Munster play back from that touchline, Hanrahan’s poor pass sees Kilcoyne knock-on…

45 minutes - Oooh, potentially big error. Munster have a line-out 5 metres from their own tryline after an excellent Russell kick in behind. Varley lofts it over the top, but Coughlan knocks-on. Glasgow will have the feed in a really excellent attacking position…

46 minutes - Cusiter snipes…

TRY! Glasgow 14-7 Munster (Reid ’46)

The replacement prop barges over from a metre out. Great start to the second half for Glasgow!

CONVERSION! Glasgow 16-7 Munster (Russell ’47)

From the left-hand touchline. That’s class.

47 minutes - And JJ Hanrahan’s restart goes directly into touch…

50 minutes - Munster win another excellent breakdown penalty, but they really need to get their attacking game going again. They really haven’t offered much since Varley’s early try, and have suffered from the lack of possession.

Line-out 10 metres out… here they go…

TRY! Glasgow 16-12 Munster (Dougall ’51)

52 minutes - It was relatively straightforward in the end and Downey’s role in boshing up the middle was key again. The big inside centre got right over the gainline and then Coughlan went close, before Dougall drove over out on the right.

Keatley has missed the conversion though.

53 minutes - Two changes for Glasgow:

Pat MacArthur on for Dougie Hall and Geoff Cross replaces Jon Welsh.

55 minutes – Yet another excellent passage of defence from Munster as they win the turnover through James Downey. Keatley kicks the penalty into the Glasgow out-half and they will go on the attack again. Great chop tackle by Kilcoyne that time!

56 minutes - Downey is used straight off the line-out once again. That tactic is paying dividends so far. Munster up to the Glasgow 22 now…

57 minutes - Big carry from Coughlan gets Munster to within 10 metres, but now it’s Glasgow’s turn to come up with a turnover penalty. No points for Munster on that attack.

58 minutes - Big round of applause as Glasgow make their latest change:

Captain Al Kellock off for Tim Swinson.

59 minutes - Close call for Munster as Keatley hacks the ball away into touch inside his own 22. Simon Zebo fumbled the ball as he turned to gather a kick in behind. But Glasgow make a hash of the line-out and Munster will have the scrum, that’s a major waste.

Here’s that Sean Dougall try from a little earlier. Simple and effective, as with the first half score for Varley.

RaboDirect PRO12 / YouTube

62 minutes - Scrum penalty goes to Munster and they clear to touch in the Glasgow half. Penney makes another change:

Paddy Butler on for Sean Dougall.

63 minutes - Munster get away with a crooked throw into the original line-out, before spreading the ball wide to the right. On the way back, Hanrahan floats a nice kick behind Maitland to bounce the ball into touch.

65 minutes - Penalty for Munster within kicking range as Nakawara fails to release. Keatley is in front of the posts, around 30 metres out. Should slot this…

PENALTY! Glasgow 16-15 Munster (Keatley ’66)

An awful strike, low and wobbling, but it’s over!

67 minutes - Here’s two big changes for Glasgow as they send on some attacking talent.

Niko Matawalu and Ruaridh Jackson are on the pitch! Cusiter and Bennett go off.

Meanwhile, Munster have also made a switch:

James Cronin replaces Dave Kilcoyne.

69 minutes - The physicality is still at a high level in this game, but Munster have conceded a penalty down in the Glasgow 22.

Dave Foley tackles Jonny Gray Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

71 minutes - Matawalu makes a half-break, he’s superb! But then Glasgow go off their feet at ruck time and Mitrea gives Munster the penalty! The home team are not happy about that, but again it’s a positive result for Munster on D.

72 minutes - Another change for the Warriors:

Sean Lamont, a wing, comes on for Chris Fusaro, a flanker!

72 minutes - There goes Downey again for Musnter off the line-out. They’re just outside the Warriors’ 22…

73 minutes - That’s frustrating! Just on the pitch, Donncha O’Callaghan knocks-on. Poor handling from the replacement lock, will Munster get another good attacking chance?

74 minutes - Matawalu is away, frees Nakawara and Glasgow are suddenly in the Munster 22!!

74 minutes - A thrilling counter-attack and Glasgow are now exactly where they want to be on the pitch heading into the closing minutes. The Fijian scrum-half is magic, but there’s a Warriors knock-on! Scrum Munster just outside their own 22.

76 minutes - Munster attack from deep, move the ball wide to the left and make yards. But Glasgow work hard and eventually tackle them into touch. What a game this is!

76 minutes - And Glasgow knock-on from the line-out! Munster will have a scrum on the half-way line, left of the centre of the pitch…

77 minutes - Downey repelled in the tackle…

77 minutes – But Munster still in possession… Earls tackled behind the gainline…

78 minutes - Seymour intercepts! And he’s nearly away. It was Hanrahan’s pass… Glasgow metres out!

79 minutes - They just need to run the clock down now…

79 minutes – Penalty Munster! Another turnover. They kick it up to their own 10-metre line. 30 second left… Now or never…

80 minutes – Downey crashes up the middle then Earls makes a half-break!

80 minutes - Time is up… Still Munster attack from deep.

80 minutes - Glasgow’s defence is still aggressive and it’s into touch!! Munster have spilled the ball into touch. It’s over!

FULL TIME: Glasgow 16-15 Munster!

Rob Penney’s men are out of the Pro12 and their season is over, as Glasgow advance to the final!

Wow, what a game that was. Hugely physical and with an incredible amount of momentum swings. Glasgow just did enough to deserve it, but Munster ran them incredibly close. What was your opinion of the final performance in the Rob Penney era?

That’s all we have time for on the liveblog, so thanks for joining us! As always, your comments are greatly appreciated so keep them coming. Cheers.

Irishman Mark McCall named as Premiership’s leading Director of Rugby

5 key areas ahead of Munster’s Pro12 semi-final against Glasgow

Your Voice
Readers Comments
50
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.