MUNSTER rugby travel to Glasgow this Saturday evening in the knowledge that a victory over the Warriors will see them book their place in the Champions Cup quarter finals for the first time in three seasons.
Rassie Erasmus’ men top Pool 1 with three wins from four games, ahead of this weekend’s opponents by three clear points. With an almost guaranteed home bonus point win to come against Racing 92 the following week, Munster know that a win in Scotstoun would almost guarantee them a home quarter final berth too.
Ahead of the clash Munster’s director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus is looking forward to a game which he expects to be played at test match intensity.
“It’s a massive one. Obviously last week put us in a position to try and get it [a quarter final spot] this weekend. Gregor Townsend and his team would see it the same too though. It’s going to be a great spectacle and it’s going to be an honour to be part of that. It will be a grind out there, if you look at the weather I think it’s going to be the tactically smart team that wins, and the team that pitches up with intensity. The stakes are so high that I think it will be Test match rugby, in my opinion.”
Perennial man of the match CJ Stander, who this week revealed that he ‘rotates’ his awards after every game – with some being filled with flowers – admits that the game is going to be Munster’s biggest test of the season so far.
“Glasgow are one of the most physical teams I’ve played against and they also have individual brilliance. The forwards work hard to be physical and make sure the set piece is good. The maul is unbelievable but then they give the ball out to the backs and you see a guy like Hogg and they’ll do something that makes you think ‘how did they do that?’ These are the games you look forward to, because you can test yourself against the best. They’re well trained, they’re tough, and they do it consistently week in week out.”
If Munster manage to win at Scotstoun in the top of Pool 1 clash with Glasgow Warriors on Saturday, they will book their place in the knockout stage for the 16th time in 22 attempts.
