United Rugby Championship preview: Warriors out to make statement against champs

Musgrave Park anticipates a sold-out showdown between Munster and Glasgow Warriors in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship. Round seven becomes a pivotal moment, with Munster vying for a lead over Leinster. Glasgow, led by Franco Smith, eyes a breakthrough against the reigning champions, aiming to prove their URC contender status. Munster, facing challenges with key players, defends their alternative Cork venue’s charm, confident on a 3G pitch. Leinster travels to Galway without Ross Byrne, and Connacht awaits a clash with returning wing Mack Hansen. Ulster grapples with flyhalf concerns as they face Edinburgh and introduce marquee signing Steven Kitshoff.

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URC Preview: Franco’s men out to make statement against champions

From URCSA

Musgrave Park was sold out several days ahead of time as Munster’s secondary ground in Cork prepares for Friday night’s blockbusting showdown between the Vodacom United Rugby Championship title holders and the tournament leading Glasgow Warriors.

Round seven could well be what in Test cricket parlance they refer to as a moving day as Franco Smith’s team have a chance of putting some daylight between themselves and Leinster in what has been an absorbing race at the top of the URC table so far. Leinster, with Springbok World Cup winning coach Jacques Nienaber now in tow, are heading to The Sportsground in Galway on Saturday, and that’s never an easy venue for a visiting team – even for mighty Leinster.

Munster coach Graham Rowntree may have been speaking for the rest of the Irish teams when he suggested after his team’s narrow loss to Leinster in front of a crowd of 5src srcsrcsrc at the AVIVA Stadium last weekend that the gap the Dubliners have enjoyed over their Interpro opponents for the best part of the past decade is closing.
Glasgow, who comfortably beat Leinster in the opening round, might contend that they are closing the gap too, particularly after last week’s impressive win over Ulster, who will be including Bok double World Cup winning prop and former DHL Stormers captain Steven Kitshoff in their team for the first time as they face Edinburgh on Saturday night.

From the above it can be gauged that this will be a crucial weekend in the cross-hemisphere compe