Quick Read
- Glasgow Warriors took an early 7-0 lead against Munster Rugby in their URC Round 11 clash.
- Winger Ollie Smith scored a converted try for Glasgow just seven minutes into the match at Scotstoun Stadium.
- Glasgow entered the match as URC table-toppers with 39 points from eight wins in ten matches.
- Munster was without its Ireland international contingent and several injured players, including JJ Hanrahan and Jean Kleyn.
- The match on January 30, 2026, was the final URC round before the Guinness Six Nations.
GLASGOW (Azat TV) – The Glasgow Warriors have taken an early 7-0 lead against Munster Rugby at Scotstoun Stadium, with winger Ollie Smith scoring a converted try just seven minutes into their highly anticipated BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) Round 11 clash. This Friday night encounter, marking the final URC round before the Guinness Six Nations, pits table-topping Glasgow against a Munster side looking to build on a recent win and overcome significant squad absences.
The match, which kicked off at 7:45 PM Irish time (2:45 PM ET) on January 30, 2026, saw Glasgow capitalize on their first attacking opportunity despite an initial period of Munster dominance. Smith’s remarkable finish out wide, followed by Dan Lancaster’s challenging touchline conversion, put the home side ahead. The early score sets a tense tone for a fixture crucial to both teams’ ambitions in the URC standings, with a sold-out crowd underscoring the significance of the occasion.
Early Dominance and Glasgow’s Lead
After enduring the initial five minutes largely dictated by Munster, the Glasgow Warriors demonstrated their clinical edge with a rapid counter-attack that led to the opening points. Winger Ollie Smith showcased exceptional skill, managing to ground the ball for a try despite appearing to be bundled into touch. Fly-half Dan Lancaster then expertly converted the try from the touchline on what was described as a windy evening in Glasgow, extending the Warriors’ lead to 7-0.
This early breakthrough is particularly significant for Glasgow, who entered the match as the URC table-toppers with 39 points from eight wins in ten matches. The Scottish side, champions in 2024, have established a formidable home record, losing only twice at Scotstoun Stadium since December 2023. They were keen to maintain their momentum and finish this block of matches strongly before the international break, as noted by coach Franco Smith.
Team Form and Key Absences
Glasgow Warriors’ strong form has seen them win their last two matches against Munster and achieve only one defeat in their last eight URC matches, a 23-0 loss at the Scarlets in Round 6. Coach Franco Smith emphasized the importance of the occasion, stating, “We are looking forward to seeing our full squad involved this weekend, with everyone eager to finish this block in the right manner.” He also acknowledged Munster’s consistent pedigree, calling them “a proud club with a strong heritage of challenging across all competitions,” as reported by FloRugby.
Munster, like the other Irish provinces, faced the challenge of competing without their Ireland international players due to the impending Guinness Six Nations. Additionally, the team was grappling with a number of injuries, including key players such as JJ Hanrahan, Alex Nankivell, and Jean Kleyn. Despite these setbacks, Munster had recently ended a four-game losing streak, securing a win against Dragons last weekend, and were looking to continue that positive trajectory. The match also marked a potential debut for Ireland Under-20s out-half Tom Wood, son of former international Keith Wood, who was in line to feature off the bench.
Lineups and Match Officials for Munster-Glasgow
The starting lineups for the highly anticipated clash saw both teams field strong sides despite their respective challenges. For Munster, Mike Haley started at full-back, with Shane Daly and Dan Kelly in the centres. Diarmuid Barron captained the side from hooker, while Brian Gleeson started at number eight. The team featured several positional switches and four personnel changes from their previous outing, according to RTÉ Sport.
Munster: Mike Haley; Thaakir Abrahams, Shane Daly, Dan Kelly, Diarmuid Kilgallen; Tony Butler, Ethan Coughlan; Josh Wycherley, Diarmuid Barron (capt), Oli Jager; Evan O’Connell, Fineen Wycherley; Seán Edogbo, Ruadhán Quinn, Brian Gleeson.
Replacements: Lee Barron, Mark Donnelly, John Ryan, Gavin Coombes, Jack O’Donoghue, Paddy Patterson, Tom Wood, Seán O’Brien.
Glasgow Warriors fielded a strong lineup led by captain Stafford McDowall in the centres. Josh McKay started at full-back, and Dan Lancaster, who successfully converted the early try, was at fly-half. Ally Miller started at number eight, with Jamie Bhatti and Seb Stephen in the front row. The match was officiated by referee Craig Evans from the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU).
Glasgow Warriors: Josh McKay; Kyle Rowe, Stafford McDowall (capt), Kerr Yule, Ollie Smith; Dan Lancaster, Ben Afshar; Jamie Bhatti, Seb Stephen, Murphy Walker; Alex Craig, Jare Oguntibeju; Euan Ferrie, Angus Fraser, Ally Miller.
Replacements: Grant Stewart, Nathan McBeth, Sam Talakai, Dylan Cockburn, Sione Vailanu, Macenzzie Duncan, Jack Oliver, Matthew Urwin.
The weather forecast for Glasgow indicated thick cloud and a moderate breeze, with temperatures around 1C, but no rain was expected to affect the match. The early try by Ollie Smith and subsequent conversion by Dan Lancaster immediately put pressure on Munster, setting the stage for an intense contest as Glasgow aims to extend its impressive home record and consolidate its position at the top of the URC table.
The Warriors’ ability to strike decisively against a Munster side missing key international talent highlights their strategic depth and determination to leverage home advantage, potentially setting a strong precedent for their URC campaign as the league heads into its crucial later stages.