Glasgow Warriors secured a thrilling 28-25 victory over Munster in a sold-out Scotstoun Stadium on Friday night, clinching a bonus-point win in the BKT United Rugby Championship. The match, which marked the 10th anniversary of the Warriors’ historic 2014/15 title triumph, saw the home side overcome a spirited Munster outfit in a contest that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.
The game kicked off with Munster exerting early pressure with scrum-half Paddy Patterson orchestrating play from the ruck, putting it on Glasgow’s defence in the first period. The Warriors’ defensive line stood tall inside their own 22, much to the home crowds delight. However, Munster capitalised on a numerical advantage after Glasgow’s Fineen Wycherley was shown a yellow card for dangerous play. In the 17th minute, a turnover in midfield allowed Andrew Smith to break free, and Tony Butler’s precise cross-kick enabled Sean O’Brien to set up John Hodnett for the opening try. Butler converted, giving Munster a 7-0 lead.
Minutes later, Munster extended their advantage. Sean O’Brien muscled over in the corner for their second try, following sustained pressure, though Butler’s conversion drifted wide, leaving the score at 12-0. Glasgow responded with a powerful carry from Ollie Smith in midfield creating an opportunity. Smith offloaded to George Horne, who fed Stafford McDowall to score. Adam Hastings added the extras, narrowing the gap to 12-7.
With seven minutes remaining in the first half, Tony Butler extended Munster’s lead by three points with a penalty, bringing the score to 15-7 in favour of the visitors. However, Glasgow responded almost immediately with a moment of brilliance. A seamless exchange between Smith and McDowall carved open the Munster defense, creating space for captain Kyle Steyn to burst through from halfway. The winger’s blistering pace proved too much for the chasing defenders, as he raced clear to the touch down. Hastings added the conversion, narrowing the margin to just one point going into half-time.
Tricky weather conditions at Scotstoun saw the first 20 minutes of the second half pass without any change to the score until Munster broke the deadlock, much to the frustration of the Warriors and their fans. Alex Nankivell’s clever offload found Sean O’Brien in full stride, and the winger powered through, fending off a tackle from Johnny Matthews to score his second try of the night—and Munster’s third. Tony Butler nailed the conversion from the touchline, extending the visitors’ lead to 25-14 with 15 minutes remaining.
Knowing that they could not afford to concede again, and in critical need of some points in their favour, the home side rose to the occasion. Sebastian Cancelliere’s swift penalty tap caught Munster’s defense off guard, setting up Sam Talakai to release the charging Matt Fagerson, who powered over the line from short range. Adam Hastings added the conversion, bringing the score within a single try once again.
The Warriors capitalised on their momentum as well as the growing intensity of the atmosphere at Scotstoun, using a penalty advantage to launch a clinical assault on Munster’s try-line, with the pressure finally paying off. Nathan McBeth proved unstoppable, as the loose-head prop spotting a vital gap to score his third try in as many games, with Adam Hastings’ conversion nudging Glasgow into the lead with just four minutes remaining, before a match-defining defensive effort sealed the victory—Gregor Brown’s turnover penalty sparking wild celebrations among the Scotstoun faithful, securing five crucial points in the playoff race as the Warriors kicked off a three-game home stand, with the Emirates Lions next to visit Glasgow on the 29th of March.
