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Hanrahan moves into out-half for this evening's clash. James Crombie/INPHO
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Munster look to Hanrahan and co. to maintain European positives in Glasgow

Gregor Townsend’s side are a formidable proposition in Scotstoun.

MUNSTER LOOK TO bring the positives of last weekend’s performance in Clermont into a crucial fortnight in the Pro12, during which they face Glasgow, Leinster and Connacht.

The southern province were well beaten by Clermont in the recent back-to-back Champions Cup fixtures, but an improved attacking performance at Stade Marcel-Michelin last time out left Anthony Foley’s squad encouraged.

“The opportunities we’re starting to create are very exciting,” attack coach Brian Walsh told Limerick’s Live95FM this week, pointing to his team’s display with ball in hand in France.

Even if Munster failed to cross the whitewash in an opening quarter in which they dominated possession and territory, their multi-optioned and inventive attacking shape laid a blueprint for their upcoming league fixtures.

JJ Hanrahan shifts into out-half for this afternoon’s clash in Scotstoun [KO 14.40] and despite a total of eight changes to Munster’s starting team, they travel to Scotland with the intention of returning to winning ways.

It’s make or break,” said wing Andrew Conway in Limerick this week. “We can get back on the horse now and hopefully win the next three or fours games going into the European Cup [in January].

“On the flip side of that, you can feel sorry for yourself after two tough weeks, go over to Glasgow and feel sorry for yourself over there. But we want to get back winning. We’re top of the league and don’t want anyone catching us. That starts in Glasgow.”

Gregor Townsend’s Warriors have lost just twice this season in the Pro12, the same record as today’s opposition. Also similarly to Munster, the Scots didn’t enjoy the last two weeks against a French team in Europe.

Brian Walsh Walsh is enthusiastic about what his attack did last weekend. Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

“Glasgow have definitely been the form side of the Pro12 up until this point,” said Munster coach Walsh. “They’ve had a similar fortnight to us in terms of losing to Toulouse twice and being close to them both times.

“Us going over there, there’s a bit of history. I’m sure that at home they’ll be looking to get their Pro12 campaign back up and running.”

Munster lost at Scotstoun in last season’s Pro12 semi-finals, while Leinster and Connacht have been seen off at the Glasgow venue during the current campaign.

Townsend has echoed Foley in making a number of changes to his starting XV, meaning starts for the likes of Leone Nakarawa, Niko Matawalu, Sean Lamont and prolific wing DTH Van der Merwe.

In the front row, Gordon Reid, Fraser Brown and Euan Murray come into the side to provide Munster’s trio of John Ryan, Kevin O’Byrne and Stephen Archer with a stern examination of their scrummaging ability.

They’ve got an all-international front row and a few on the bench,” said Munster tighthead Archer, “so we’ll have our work cut out for us this weekend. But these are the kinds of match you want to be playing in.”

Glasgow are six-point favourites with the bookies at the time of writing, but Munster will be intent on continuing a five-game winning streak in the Pro12.

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MUNSTER: Johne Murphy; Andrew Conway, Pat Howard, Denis Hurley, Simon Zebo; JJ Hanrahan, Conor Murray; John Ryan, Kevin O’Byrne, Stephen Archer; Billy Holland, Paul O’Connell; Peter O’Mahony (capt.), Sean Dougall, Robin Copeland.

Replacements: Niall Scannell, Eusebio Guinazu, BJ Botha, Donncha O’Callaghan, Dave O’Callaghan, Duncan Williams, Ian Keatley, Felix Jones.

GLASGOW: Peter Murchie, Sean Lamont, Richie Vernon, Peter Horne, DTH van der Merwe; Finn Russell, Niko Matawalu; Gordon Reid, Fraser Brown, Euan Murray ; Leone Nakarawa, Jonny Gray; Rob Harley, Tyrone Holmes, Josh Strauss (capt.).

Replacements: Dougie Hall, Alex Allan, Jon Welsh, Tim Swinson, Ryan Wilson, Henry Pyrgos, James Downey, Tommy Seymour.

Referee: Leighton Hodges [WRU].

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