It Could All Be In The Mind in Munster

WARRIORS' trip to Limerick tomorrow really is an intriguing one. What happens at Thormond Park tomorrow will, to an extent, be governed by how the two sides respond to events today, and Anthony “Axel” Foley's funeral.

Foley's sudden and totally-unexpected death in Paris last weekend has cast a pall over the entire build-up to the game. Every Munster Man, and woman is still in shock at his passing. His death is, naturally, a terrible blow to his own actual family, and to the extended Munster rugby family.

The Munster team can react in one of two ways. What I expect to happen is for someone in there, one of the experienced old hands probably, to gather the squad together and make it clear: “Right lads – we win this one for Axel”. This results in an old-fashioned all guns blazing Munster performance which threatens to blow Glasgow away.

The other possibility is that Munster are still in-shock and cannot get themselves up for the game, with the result, Glasgow wins. Whichever side keeps a better grip on their emotions on what will be a very-weird day, will win, and, I hope it is Glasgow.

MEANWHILE, at Murrayfield, Edinburgh will face Harlequins in the Challenge Cup. As ever, 'Quins will travel with a big pack, but, they are still capable of playing expansive rugby, bringing the likes of Tim Visser into play.

On paper, I would expect the Londoners to win, but, they can be less than convincing on the road and, I would feel, whoever wins the battle at the breakdown, where former England captain Chris Robshaw will be their key man, will win the game.

Congratulations to Ben Toolis on his 50^th Edinburgh appearance, and, how the Murrayfield crowd will enjoy baiting one of modern rugby's prime pantomime villains – Mike Brown. The head-to-head between WP Nel and another pantomime villain, Joe Marler, also promises to be a highlight.

ROUND Nine of the BT Premiership, the half-way stage, happens tomorrow. No individual fixture leaps off the page at you, but table-topping Ayr's visit to Myreside, to tackle fifth-placed Watsonians is probably the pick of the bunch. Ayr welcome skipper Pete McCallum back onto their bench after over a month out with injury, but are without Ross Curle and Frazier Climo, which allows fit-again Danny McCluskey to pull the strings from ten.

New Zealand-raised Ruaridh Mackenzie, after his thrilling 15-minute cameo off the bench last week, gets his first start and it will be interesting to see how he goes.

Another intriguing match is that at Old Anniesland, between Glasgow Hawks and Currie, a meting which features some of the best young talent in Scotland. It is pleasing to see, as expected, Brendan McGroarty's ridiculous red card at Ayr last weekend has been rescinded and he will be in his usual place in the centre for Hawks, alongside Bobby Beattie. Hawks, however, are without skipper Tommy Spinks, Matt Fagerson moving across from the flank to replace him.

Melrose v Hawick will be the usual no quarter given Borders battle, while Heriot's entertain Stirling County and Gala are at Meggetland. Three good club games in Edinburgh, with Harlequins at Murrayfield – the capital's rugby fans are spoiled for choice tomorrow.

By the way, I have counted at least 11 Edinburgh professionals released to play in the Premiership – is this a record for one weekend? Also, I have only counted seven full-time Warriors released, I doubt if ever before, there have been more Edinburgh players than Glasgow ones strutting their stuff in the Premiership on a single Saturday.