GLASGOW Warriors’ match against Munster this weekend was always going to be a test of their powers both mentally and physically. The circumstances in which the Champions Cup game will go ahead makes it all the more imperative that Gregor Townsend’s team keep a cool head and concentrate on the simple task of winning.

The crowd at Thomond Park in Limerick are always passionate supporters of their team. But Saturday's match, taking place as it will just a day after the funeral of Anthony Foley, the province’s coach, is bound to be a more complex emotional occasion than most members of the Warriors squad have experienced.

“I think it’s a game to remember what Anthony did and helped create at Munster,” Townsend said yesterday. “He was one of the key players that got them that success and he was also a very good coach.

“We always knew it was going to be a huge occasion. Munster in the Champions Cup are a different team - they play at a much more intense level.

“I would imagine it would be a huge game in terms of crowd support. Our players appreciate the enormity of what has happened and being involved in the game will hopefully bring out the best in both teams.”

Glasgow showed glimpses of their best form in last weekend’s Pool One over Leicester, a 42-13 victory which gave them five points. Townsend was nonetheless critical of aspects of his team’s play, but was particularly impressed by the way in which they thought on their feet and worked out how to beat the Tigers.

“One of the key aspects last week was how leaders stepped up throughout the team,” the coach continued, insisting that praise should not just be given to his joint captains, Henry Pyrgos and Jonny Gray. “We have people in key decision-making positions.

“Finn Russell had an excellent game, and Josh Strauss played his best game of the season and probably the calendar year. Rob Harley, Ryan Wilson, Stuart Hogg all played really well.

“It will be important in any away game that these guys talk and work out what's happening during the game. We’ve prepared really well, as we did last week, with three days of training and staying in a hotel.

“Preparation is important, but it's about how the players react to what’s happening during the game that will win us the game. They did that really well against Leicester because they worked out where we could pressure them and where we have to be strong. We have to do that again this weekend.

“I thought Jonny’s captaincy was very good. He spoke well to the referee, made adjustments to what we were doing. He took decisions - ignoring his coach again, which is great - on what to do with going for more scrums or a lineout drive.

“To do that in a big game when you're up against England internationals is really good. He looked very confident.

“He had to play five games in a row at the beginning of the season. He had a week off so he would be really fresh. Because of the hard work in pre-season, he and a number of other players are in peak condition.”

While it would only be natural for younger players to feel more susceptible to the emotion of the occasion, Townsend has no worries about the ability of his least experienced players to again rise to the occasion. “If they’re good enough they will be involved. If they’re on form and training well - and if we believe it’s right for taking on Munster. Our experienced players stepped up last week, but some of our experienced players are around 23.

“We had an 18-year-old on the bench [back-row forward Matt Fagerson, younger brother of prop Zander]. He’s shown already this season that he can't wait to get the ball in his hands.

“He came off the bench last weekend and put in a big tackle. It was the same against Dragons the week before. Players take opportunities whether they are 35 years old or an 18-year-old like Matt.”

Townsend will have Alex Dunbar available for selection this weekend after the centre recovered from a chest infection. The illness forced Dunbar to withdraw from the Leicester match shortly before kick-off.