"When your back is to the wall, there is only one thing to do, and that is to turn around and fight" – John Major. 

Munster Rugby welcomes an in-form Glasgow Warriors to Thomond Park for what, on paper, looks to be a humdinger of a clash between two sides vying for a home playoff berth. 

Currently sitting in 5^th and 4^th position, respectively, the two sides will be acutely aware that a win this weekend is a must with just three rounds of the regular season remaining. 

Team News  

Munster head coach Graham Rowntree welcome backs a number of his Grand Slam-winning Irish stars for the match. Key amongst them will be Craig Casey, Jack Crowley, Gavin Coombes, Roman Salanoa and Dave Kilcoyne.  

Key amongst these returning stars is Crowley, who will partner with Joey Carbery in the 10/12 playmaking axis. Having shown real signs of growth prior to the Six Nations, bedding in the combination before a tough trip away to the Cell C Sharks in the Heineken Champions Cup last sixteen is a massive boost for Rowntree's side. 

For the Warriors, Ryan Wilson, Ross Thompson and Murphy Walker all return from injury whilst star utility back Sebastian Cancelliere remains on the injured list, as does secondrow Richie Gray.

The Red Army go to battle ? @GlasgowWarriors to secure that home play-off ?#BKTURC #URC | #MUNvGLA pic.twitter.com/rlRRTp5d3R

— BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) March 22, 2023

Key Match-Up 

As ever, the battle of the flyhalves will make for an interesting subplot to follow.  

Joey Carbery, in particular, will have a point to prove, having missed out on Ireland's Six Nations success. Seemingly now firmly out of favour with the national selectors, Carbery saw his stock plummet from Jonathan Sexton's guaranteed backup to, at best fourth choice. 

To his credit, Carbery appears to have taken the demotion on the chin and has put in solid performances for Munster in his limited opportunities. To break back into the Irish set-up before the World Cup, Carbery will need to be better than solid. Having seen his usually reliable goal-kicking ability wain somewhat, A strong few months from the tee will go a long way to closing the gap on Leinster's Ross Byrne. 

For the visitors, Argentinean international Domingo Miotti is a serious operator who, like Carbery, is a slippery ball-carrying threat in the ten channel.  

Ready ?

Here are your 23 Glasgow Warriors set to take on @Munsterrugby at Thomond Park tomorrow evening!

? The match is live on @ViaplaySportsUK, kick-off 5.15pm.#WhateverItTakes | @MackenzieConstr pic.twitter.com/ASUwTgGVjp

— Glasgow Warriors (@GlasgowWarriors) March 24, 2023

Miotti's passing game will be crucial to involving the dangerous Warrior's outside backs. Playing outside Scottish international Ali Price will help with the speed of the ball. However, the flyhalf will be aware of the pacey and physical Munster backrow, who will no doubt spend the evening harassing him. 

Here is your Munster team to face Glasgow Warriors at Thomond Park tomorrow evening (5.15pm) ?#MUNvGLA #URC #SUAF ? pic.twitter.com/bF491eidnn

— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) March 24, 2023

Prediction 

Slowly regaining the mystique around their invincibility at Thomond Park, Munster will look to once again bring the crowd into the contest. Whilst the '16^th man' effect is often overrated, Munster has routinely relied on their supporters for that final boost to defeat more fancied opposition.  

Having lost just three fixtures since mid-October (two to Toulouse and one to Leinster). Rowntree's side is humming and will be buoyed by their returning internationals.  

As great as the Munster run has been, Glasgow's is the equal of it. Having seen off both of last year's finalists in the Vodacom Bulls and DHL Stormers, rather convincingly. Franco Smith's side will head to Limerick in the knowledge that they are capable of causing the upset. 

Munster will know that a loss at home before an extended tour of South Africa would be a devastating blow to their title ambitions. Therefore it is vital from a Warrior's perspective to contain the early Munster pressure. Failure to do so will make an arduous task impossible, as chasing a score at Thomond Park is one of the toughest tasks in European Rugby. 

Given the necessity for a win, the home crowd and their sublime run of form, Munster rightly enter this clash as favourites. Whilst far from a foregone conclusion, a home victory feels like it is on the cards. Munster by 8 points. 

Written by Philip Bendon