Munster head coach Graham Rowntree expects “the full package” when Glasgow visit on Saturday evening, and insists his side have full respect for the Warriors.
The former England and Lions prop knows avenging last year’s quarter-final defeat to Munster – the Warriors’ last home league defeat – will be in the minds of the visitors when they meet in the last four at Thomond Park on Saturday.
“They are dangerous,” he said of Franco Smith’s side.
Rowntree added: “They are already talking about paying us back for the quarter-final last year. I expect the full package from them this week.”
READ MORE: Pete Murchie details Glasgow's approach to Munster semi-final
It is perhaps little wonder Rowntree is so wary of Glasgow. On their last visit to Limerick in March 2023, they blew Munster away and were 28-0 ahead at half-time before securing a 38-26 victory.
Rowntree admitted that was a turning point in his side’s season as they went on to lift the United Rugby Championship (URC) title.
He said: “We were 28-0 down at half-time - I’ll never forget that dressing room.
“It gave us a punch on the nose. Defensively we changed some key elements of our game and how we were training.
“I look back at what we learned from that game, and it’s stood to us ever since.”
Rowntree praised Glasgow’s attacking game – including their centre pairing of Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones.
“They’ve got a good centre partnership, don’t they?
“Their edge attack and the depth and what Nigel [Carolan, Glasgow assistant coach] has put in, is impressive.
“He [Tuipulotu] is a key man, but they’ve got a few key players we’ve got to keep an eye on.”
Rowntree is also wary of Glasgow’s outstanding maul, from which Johnny Matthews has scored most of his 14 league tries this season, including two against this weekend’s opposition in Cork in December.
“They certainly do,” Rowntree replied when asked if Glasgow still possess a potent maul.
"The tries they’ve scored pay testament to that. We conceded more than we should have and it made us change the philosophy around how we defend mauls.
“But Glasgow have got the full package. They are dangerous on the edge of the field, they kick a lot less than most other teams and they’ve got a dangerous breakdown.
“They are coming here with quite a gnarly attitude, similar to us on the road last year.”
He believes Munster will face a Glasgow side that has improved from their quarter-final meeting 12 months ago and praised the work of his opposite number.
“I’m a big fan of Franco Smith – he was coach of the season last year for a reason.
“They won’t go away and they have multiple threats. When you analyse them, there are so many things they are good at that you can quickly forget about yourselves.
“That is the kind of respect we have for them.”
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