GLASGOW Warriors launched themselves into their biggest match of the season, against Munster on Saturday, arguably the one that will come to define Gregor Townsend's entire time in charge, by extending their winning run to five with a solid victory over Welsh opponents who had beaten them earlier in the season.

It was a result that should settle the side on two fronts. First they demonstrated exactly the kind of forward power they will need if they are to grind down high-flying Munster; second they proved to themselves just how little previous results matter – important since they have lost both clashes with the Irish province this season.

As far as the Guinness PRO12 is concerned, the bonus-point win puts them back into the top four and into the fight for an end-of-season play off place. They are in a better position than they were are the same stage last season.

Despite doing themselves such a good turn in the PRO12, such is the importance of next week's game at home to Munster in the European Champions Cup that the players were barely off the field when thoughts started to turn to the challenge ahead.

The Glasgow coaches had even spent their time leading up to this match watching the Irish hammer Racing 92, a result that proves the size of challenge Townsend's side will face.

"We know that if we win our last two games we are likely to go through," Townsend insisted. "We might not go through in first place and that’s a challenge, Munster are in a strong position even if they lose to us.

"They will want to come here and win but they have Racing at home in their last game and given that result you can expect that to be a win for them. Our destiny is in our own hands. With two wins we might not top the group but should go through."

Even though Glasgow have won the PRO12 under Townsend and reached the semi finals every year, their European record remains the big black spot on his club coaching CV and this is his last chance to obliterate it.

Another failure to reach the knockout stage and he risks being tagged as the coach who could take the side a certain distance but no further, certainly not far enough to earn a European pedigree.

Though they have an identical win-loss record to Munster, the lack of bonus points means they are three points behind. An Irish win in Scotstoun would guarantee them top pot in the pool. Even if the Scots win, they are almost certainly still chasing one of the three quarter final places for teams that finish second in their group.

"The coaches watched it [Racing 92 v Munster] in the office. It was quite a one-sided game, but Munster played well and will be full of confidence coming here next week," Townsend added. "There were a couple of new things, but it was the DNA of a Munster performance – physical around rhe forwards, good defence, territory-based rugby.

"They try to squeeze mistakes out of the opposition, have a very good defence and a good kick-chase that competes for the ball in the air. With the weather here against Cardiff, there was more kicking from both teams. That was good practice for next week."

Though a couple of players came off injured against Cardiff – Simone Favaro with an ankle problem that started in the warm-up and Ryan Wilson with a dead leg – he thinks they should both be fit for the big game.

Since they lost the league match at home to Munster, they have gone on a winning run with the double over Racing 92 and PRO12 wins over Edinburgh, Treviso and now Cardiff.

What will give a particularl boost to their confidence will be the performance of the forwards. On a wet night and tricky handling conditions, the forwards made sure there was little risk of Cardiff posing a realistic threat as they won the possession battle about 70-30.

Both hookers Glasgow used scored, Pat MacArthur being blasted over from short range in the first half and James Malcom at the back of another effective line out drive in the second.

The other tries were both finished by Peter Murchie – a good way to celebrate his 31st birthday – but were created by Tommy Seymour picking perfect lines coming off the blindside wing, the first a set-piece double-scissors move, the second a moment of creativity running off Ali Price.

"It was really pleasing for us as coaches to see a typical Glasgow performance, really taking the game to the opposition. Even when things weren’t working they still had the resilience to keep going and find a way to win," Townsend added.

Cardiff did keep themselves in the game until early in the second half with stubborn defence and a gift try finished by Blaine Scully, the wing. When Glasgow eventually cut loose, however, they had no answer and a late score for Rhun Williams, the replacement wing, did little to save their blushes.

For Glasgow, it was all about getting the job done but for the immediate future it is all about their European campaign and that hinges on the next two games.

Glasgow Warriors: Tries: MacArthur (12 mins), Murchie (48, 55), Malcolm (64). Cons: Russell 3. Pen: Russell (34).

Cardiff Blues: Tries: Scully (39 mins), R Williams (77). Con Shingler. Pen: Shingler (42) Scoring sequence (Glasgow Warriors first): 7-0, 10-0, 10-7 (half time), 10-10, 17-10, 24-10, 29-10, 29-15.

Glasgow Warriors: P Murchie; T Seymour, M Bennett, A Dunbar (R Clegg, 70), L Jones (S Lamont, 61); F Russell, A Price (G Hart, 66); G Reid (A Allan, 53), P MacArthur (J Malcolm, ), D Rae (Z Fagerson, 53), T Swinson, J Gray (C), J Strauss, S Favaro (R Harley, 60), R Wilson (A Ashe, 51).

Cardiff Blues: M Morgan; A Cuthbert (R Williams, 61), R Lee-Lo, W Halaholo (N Robinson, 60), B Scully; S Shingler, L Williams (T Williams, 51); R Gill (B Thyer, 53), K Dacey (M Rees, 69), A Peikrishvili (S Andrews, 62), M Cook, J Down (BJ Edwards, 74), E Jenkins (J Hoeata, 29), S Warburton (C), J Navidi.

Referee: A Brace (Ireland)

Attendance: 7251