I had a grand plans for this column. Go into depth on Munster, where we could hit them, where they’re strongest, weakest, and have a look at the players
There’s no point.
We’ve played them so many times in big games over the course of our history we know what’s coming. We know what they do, we know how they’ll do it and we know that we need to stop it. Don’t beat them, don’t progress. Simple as.
So what do you talk about then? Well, I thought we’d do something a little different today. I’ve turned this piece over to you! Let’s see what you have to say.
Allan had this to say: “My Munster supporting colleague had these thoughts: Show Crowley a gap, close it around him and flatten him. He is the only one on grand form. Casey is not firing and Murray is slow, the front row is poor except for Jager, so distract him with BBQ meat, steak for preference.”
I really want to believe the rest of the Munster squad are on poor form but I’ve seen us plate them too often over the years to know an off-form Munster is still a Munster that can inflict damage.
We have to ensure that if they are off-form, we’re patient, let them make mistakes and punish them when we can. Big fan of distracting props with meat by the way!
Paul went for this approach: “Boring, but discipline, and keeping the ref on side. I think we only gave away six or seven penalties against the Stormers. Tougher away from home, but hopefully not too many cheap ones this weekend”
Couldn’t agree more on this one incidentally. Our penalty count against the Stomers was relatively low and thanks to Libbok, they were unable to take any points from the kickable ones. That helped massively in the grand scheme of the 80 minutes.
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Discipline is absolutely essential. First of all, Munster are too good a side to let opportunities slip from chances gifted to them. Give them an inch, they’ll take the game.
Cheap penalties gift opposition territory, a chance to breathe under pressure and points. Munster will happily and graciously take all three. Secondly, the more Warriors keep their discipline and offer Munster little, the more the crowd will become restless.
With them having home advantage, these little gains are absolutely vital where they can be stolen and used. Discipline is absolutely the key to this game in my eyes.
Peter added this to the mix: “Warriors need to match the aggression and s***housing that Munster will bring, got to be very streetwise and frankly, be absolutely bloody horrible!! Take points on offer every time and get the basics spot on. It's a huge task but definitely not impossible”
This is a point I’ve long agreed with. Aggression isn’t in doubt. The lads are ferocious. They stand up and fight as a unit week in, week out. The Fagersons, Dempsey and Gray are always more than happy to back a team-mate up.
But sometimes we lack a little bit more edge that other sides have. And one of those is Munster. Peter O’Mahony is a genius as far as I’m concerned.
Opposition loathe him, the Thomond Park faithful adore him. And I completely understand why. He causes chaos, he scraps, he backs up his team-mates, he’s good at his job and he’s horrible on the pitch (off it, Joshua and I met him at Scotstoun last year and he genuinely couldn’t have been nicer!).
We need to be streetwise. Wise to the referee, wise to how far we can push it and wise to the tactics Munster use. It’s been a failing of ours before, lets not rue it again!
Paul echoed my point of last week: “Won or lost upstairs. This squad has the capability but they need to win a big knockout game when it really matters.”
The psychological boost of winning last week is huge. Especially given the manor of the performance. It was superb. Use that, build on it and put it into practice this Saturday night and it’s half the battle. You don’t even have to win the mental war with Munster. Just don’t lose it!
Sean made some excellent points: “Be down to the pack I think. Backlines quite even. ⚡️ wingers, 🔥 12+13. Maybe in the half-backs Crowley’s game management may edge it. Jordan bring more physicality though. For the pack have to get those 2 man tackles on the big ball carriers like Snyman. Set piece and breakdown key”
Jordan will still have the last Munster knockout game in his mind when we was red carded. Now is the time to banish those thoughts and show why Franco rates him so highly.
Stopping guys like Snyman is going to be tough but if we can, we can go a long way towards winning!
Aedis asked for something Glasgow haven’t always been able to do:
“I think we need a 80-minute performance. So not just the XV starters but the bench too. If we get that we will win. I could see the match being similar to our last at Thomond Park; with Glasgow winning the 1st half & Munster grinding back in the 2nd. But we have more than enough”
I’d settle for something like our last trip to Limerick as well! That was a cracking day! An 80-minute performance at this stage is much needed.
The briefest of lapses can lead to gaps, missed tackles and tries. We have to be on it from whistle to whistle if we’re to stand a chance.
And to finish, some very positive tweets! Thomas went with this message: “As I told you prior to the Stormers game…….have confidence in the players and process…. We have the talent and mental capacity to more than match Munster. Warriors by 10.”
I can get on board with that no problem!
Andy was keen to stress the lessons previously learned: “When you see our starting 15 against the Stormers written on paper you fancy them to give any other team a really good game. We seem to have learned how to play knockout rugby now (after hard lessons in Challenge Cup final/Munster last year/Harlequins etc) and can do this!”
Lets hope the losses suffer previously lead to brighter things!
Last but not least, Ruth was echoing the thoughts of many of the Warrior Nation: “I’m nervous. But I’m excited too. This is a good squad. These are good players. Play the full 80. Use the space. Trust your training. Make wise choices. Take the easy points. Make the chances. Keep it clean. Heads up. Read the ref! Just do your best lads. We’re right behind you.”
Amen to that! Let’s go to work Glasgow!
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