Regardless of the quality of the spectacle on the pitch, the narrative of today’s Guinness PRO12 final will likely revolve around Paul O’Connell who togs out in the red of Munster for the last time. What looks even more likely at this stage is that he is on the verge of swapping Munster red for that of Toulon, but talks surrounding O’Connell’s destination will be parked until full-time at Kingspan Stadium.
Focus is key, according to Alan Quinlan. Speaking on Off the Ball last night, the former Munster man argued that sentimentality towards the great second row needs to be put to one side if the title is to be secured.
Anthony Foley’s side come into the decider in good form; they're on a six match unbeaten run and have only endured defeat once since New Year’s Day. The semi-final against Ospreys last weekend was anything but a cruise, too, and tested the province’s resilience ahead of the finale.
They can also gain encouragement from the 22-10 victory of Glasgow in February, not least because it ended a three-match losing streak against Scottish sides.
That being said, the absences of Peter O’Mahony and Conor Murray leave an obvious chink in the Munster armour. Simon Zebo is fit to play, though, as are Andrew Smith, Eusebio Guinazu and Paddy Butler.
BJ Botha is set to win his 100th cap for the province, while Denis Hurley will skipper the side for the seventh time this season.
Munster target their fourth PRO12 title this evening and their first since the 2010/11 season. It’ll be three Irish victors in a row should they be crowned champions later after Leinster’s back-to-back triumphs in the last two years.
Glasgow, meanwhile, will be looking for their first title, but also the first of any Scottish side. They’ve been at this stage before, though, as they were pummelled by Leinster at the RDS last year in their first final appearance.
Glasgow are also bidding adieu to a fixture of their side this evening, with DTH van der Merwe making his final appearance in a Warriors shirt. Dougie Hall is also headed towards the exit door, he starts instead of Fraser Brown today.
Nigel Owens oversees the Guinness PRO12 Final and it gets underway at Kingspan Stadium from 6.30pm this evening.
MUNSTER: Felix Jones; Keith Earls, Andrew Smith, Denis Hurley (capt), Simon Zebo; Ian Keatley, Duncan Williams; Dave Kilcoyne, Eusebio Guinazu, BJ Botha, Billy Holland, Paul O'Connell, Donnacha Ryan, Paddy Butler, CJ Stander.
Replacements: Duncan Casey, James Cronin, Stephen Archer, Sean Dougall, Jack O'Donoghue, Cathal Sheridan, JJ Hanrahan, Ronan O'Mahony.
GLASGOW WARRIORS: Stuart Hogg; Tommy Seymour, Richie Vernon, Peter Horne, DTH van der Merwe; Finn Russell, Henry Pyrgos; Gordon Reid, Dougie Hall, Rossouw de Klerk, Leone Nakarawa, Jonny Gray, Rob Harley, Ryan Wilson, Josh Strauss (capt).
Replacements: Fraser Brown, Jerry Yanuyanutawa, Jon Welsh, Al Kellock, Chris Fusaro, Niko Matawalu, Duncan Weir, Sean Lamont.
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