Graham Rowntree hoping for big bench impact as he puts faith in Fineen Wycherley from start ahead of RG Snyman
Fineen Wycherley has started just five games this season, only one of those in 2024. Photo: Sportsfile
Throughout his two-year tenure as Munster head coach, Graham Rowntree has not shied away from making big selection decisions, but naming RG Snyman on the bench for this evening’s URC semi-final against Glasgow Warriors is up there with his boldest calls yet.
Perhaps Snyman is carrying a knock that we are unaware of because, on form, the South African lock is an automatic starter.
Yet, leaving him in reserve gives us a clear indication of Rowntree’s game-plan and how he intends to crank things up early in the second half.
Fineen Wycherley has started just five games this season, only one of those in 2024, and while that is partly due to the Bantry native’s injury problems, starting him ahead of Snyman is a major show of faith from Rowntree.
Wycherley (26) is a nuggety lock who will relish the niggle with a Glasgow side that will arrive in Thomond Park without any fears following their win in Limerick last season.
On the one hand, Rowntree is to be commended for rolling the dice, but if his strategy backfires he will live to regret it.
The loss of Calvin Nash to a leg injury is the latest in a long line of fitness-related setbacks for Munster, but Mike Haley is a ready-made back-three replacement, as Simon Zebo shifts to the wing.
Munster are well equipped to handle the disruption, which is just as well because this Glasgow backline is littered with threats, especially in midfield where Scotland pair Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones are lethal off front-foot ball.
Former Connacht coach Nigel Carolan will have a couple of tricks up his sleeve in terms of Glasgow’s attack, but Munster’s defence has been excellent under Denis Leamy.
The Glasgow maul caused Munster problems in Cork earlier this season but they are in much better shape now with Jack O’Donoghue, who gets the nod ahead of Gavin Coombes, excellent at disrupting opposition mauls.
Coombes spoke this week about having to get his head around his new role as an impact player, and considering it’s a position Snyman often finds himself in with South Africa, he will be primed to make his presence felt when called upon.
While having such a stacked bench offers a safety net, the Munster starting team have enough quality to make a dent of their own.
As ever, Jack Crowley’s influence will be crucial, particularly as there is no natural cover for the out-half. And with the fit-again Alex Nankivell outside him, Munster’s hopes of extending their URC winning run to 11 games are enhanced.
Glasgow will make life tough, but the Scots require something special to deny the champions a shot at defending their title on home soil next Saturday.
Verdict: Munster
Munster: M Haley; S Daly, A Frisch, A Nankivell, S Zebo; J Crowley, C Casey; J Loughman, N Scannell, S Archer; F Wycherley, T Beirne (capt); P O’Mahony, J Hodnett, J O’Donoghue. Reps: D Barron, J Ryan, O Jager, RG Snyman, G Coombes, C Murray, S O’Brien, A Kendellen. Glasgow Warriors: J McKay; S Cancelliere, H Jones, S Tuipulotu, K Steyn (capt); T Jordan, G Horne; J Bhatti, J Matthews, Z Fagerson; S Cummings, R Gray; M Fagerson, R Darge, J Dempsey. Reps: G Turner, O Kebble, M Walker, M Williamson, E Ferrie, H Venter, J Dobie, R Thompson. Ref: A Piardi (Italy)
Munster v Glasgow Warriors, Live, TG4 / Premier Sports, 6.0
