Injury-hit Munster Rugby see off 14-man Glasgow to set-up URC semi-final with Leinster

MUNSTER Rugby set up a United Rugby Championship semi-final showdown with great rivals Leinster in Dublin next weekend after edging past 14-man Glasgow Warriors 14-5 at Scotstoun on Saturday night.

Injury-hit Munster will take on number one seeds Leinster at the Aviva Stadium next Saturday, 5.30pm, after outscoring their Scottish hosts by two tries to one in a hugely attritional quarter-final tie.

Munster lost several key players to injuries during the course of this bruising game, including captain Peter O'Mahony and hooker Diarmuid Barron, while RG Snyman, Conor Murray, Calvin Nash and Malakai Fekitoa all left the game with head injuries.

This was Munster's first win in Glasgow in their last five meetings with Graham Rowntree's charges becoming the first side to defeat the Warriors at home this season.

The complexion of the game changed significantly when Glasgow Warriors lost out-half Tom Jordan to a red card following a high hit on Munster scrum-half Conor Murray. 

This result means Munster have ended their poor run of results in away play-off games in the URC/Pro14/Pro12.

Munster’s only loss in their last nine URC matches had been against Glasgow at Thomond Park in March.

In a hard fought opening half, Munster lost their captain Peter O'Mahony to what appeared to be an arm injury inside five minutes. The flanker was replaced by John Hodnett.

Twelve minutes later Munster lost South African second-row Snyman to a HIA. Fineen Wycherley replaced the World Cup winner who did not return to the fray.

After Munster had survived an abundance of pressure from the home side in the opening quarter, Munster struck for the game's opening score on 23 minutes.

Securing excellent field position, Munster stayed patient, building phases before centre Malakai Fekitoa stretched over for a try. Jack Crowley also added the extras for 7-0.

The complexion of the game changed when Glasgow out-half Tom Jordan was red-carded for a high tackle on Munster scrum-half Conor Murray.

The incident saw Murray being replaced by Craig Casey.

Munster made their numerical advantage pay when striking for their second try two minutes later. The Scottish side drifted offside as they scrambled in defence, before Munster's fleet-footed centre Antoine Frisch powered over. 

Crowley added the conversion for 14-0.

Munster also crossed the Warriors tryline three minutes before half-time. However, the incident was referred to the TMO and the ball was judged to have been held up.

The visitors maintained their 14-0 lead until half-time in a teak tough opening 40 minutes. 

After Munster Rugby lost winger Calvin Nash to a HIA on 67 minutes, Glasgow struck for a try which gave them a glimmer of hope of pulling off an unlikely comeback.

McDowell made a break up the middle of the pitch and the ball was quickly moved out left where captain Kyle Steyn dotted down. The conversion was missed and Munster were still two scores to the good at 14-5 with just over 10 minutes remaining. 

That proved to be the final score of a bruising contest as Munster Rugby advanced to next weekend's semi-finals.

Glasgow finished the game with 13 players after centre Sione Tuipulotu was yellow carded for making contact with Malakai Fekitoa's head in a tackle.

GLASGOW WARRIORS: Ollie Smith, Sebastian Cancelliere, Sione Tuipulotu, Stafford McDowall, Kyle Steyn (CAPT), Tom Jordan, George Horne, Jamie Bhatti, Johnny Matthews, Zander Fagerson, Scott Cummings, Richie Gray, Matt Fagerson, Rory Darge, Jack Dempsey. Replacements: Fraser Brown, Nathan McBeth, Simon Berghan, JP du Preez, Lewis Bean, Sione Vailanu, Ali Price, Huw Jones.

MUNSTER RUGBY: Mike Haley, Calvin Nash, Antoine Frisch, Malakai Fekitoa, Shane Daly, Jack Crowley, Conor Murray, Jeremy Loughman, Diarmuid Barron, Stephen Archer, Jean Kleyn, RG Snyman, Tadhg Beirne, Peter O'Mahony (Capt), Gavin Coombes Replacements: Niall Scannell, Josh Wycherley, Roman Salanoa, Fineen Wycherley, John Hodnett, Craig Casey, Ben Healy, Alex Kendellen.

REFEREE: Andrea Piardi (Italy)