Doing the Munster mash, bash and smash

Warriors boss Sean Lineen said afterwards on how that was "a physical game of rugby" but given the amount of jostling, fidgeting and jumping around from the fans, it was a mighty battle watching it.

The groans and wincing that were heard with each hit from John Barclay and each drive from Jon Welsh clearly took the wind out of the sails from spectators who were no doubt thanking every God conceivable (even the one who didn't fix my car door on the spot a fortnight back) that they were in the stands and not on the receiving end of a good 'Welshing'.

I touched on Jon Welsh last week and I'm normally remiss to praise the same player so soon after the first occasion lest I roam into overkill.

New rule (and you had better get used it it folks) I'm about to sing the praises of Mr Welsh again (and will probably do so if he keeps his good start up) and not because he used to box as a boy - or if last week's comments box suggests, if he used to be a bouncer.

All eyes were on the first scrum. Glasgow had talked a good game about addressing the contact area but could they walk the walk? After all, Munster's pack had given the touring All-Blacks last season a run for their money.

As it turned out, we need not have worried. If the council are looking for someone to do some demolition work then Welsh is their man.

Destroyed Munster's scrum would be mildly putting it. Lest we forget fellow front-rowers Dougie Hall and Moray Low's fine contribution but Welsh caught the eye with a superb display of scrummaging.

Naturally, we will all be wondering if he can repeat the trick when Llanelli ride into town on Sunday but if he can, God help the Welshmen - especially if he's ignored their car door trouble as well.

New boy Chris Cusiter might be dwarfed by a number of garden gnomes but as the old saying goes, "diamonds come in small packages".

The sight of the scrum-half tearing Munster power-house Lifeimi Mafi away from the Warriors try-line was a joy to behold for all the weaklings among us - not that anyone of us will fancy trying to get past Chris.

Barclay once again showed his class at the breakdown and put in some big hits to knock the stuffing out of last season's Magners League champs.

But special mention must go to the backs. Dan Parks didn't get off to a good start but instead of dwelling on it as he might have done not so long ago, he tore straight back in with some crucial tackles as well as some equally crucial kicks at goal.

Bernardo Stortoni looked to be back to his old self as he fearlessly took on Munster's bruisers with some incisive running while centre pairing Graeme Morrison and Peter Murchie signed a "thou shalt not pass" pact before kick-off and stuck to it.

However, Sunday's opponents Llanelli had rather a good opening win themselves defeating Heineken Cup holders Leinster at Parc y Scarlets - like Glasgow, they gave the Irish aces no quarter.

Games between Glasgow and the Scarlets are usually entertaining for the open rugby they usually produce.

However, while this one will be no less engrossing, we may be waxing lyrical about another physical battle.