Glasgow Warriors gain timely injury return as five players released from Scotland Six Nations camp

The full-back has not featured since suffering a hamstring injury after scoring the try that sparked Warriors' comeback from a 21-point deficit against Toulouse in the Champions Cup on December 14.

The return of New Zealand-born McKay – who will qualify for Scotland on residency grounds in the autumn – is a timely one for a Glasgow side that will be without 15 Scotland internationals called up for Six Nations duty.

The 28-year-old is one of 10 changes to the team that claimed a bonus-point win in Parma last weekend, while two of the club’s academy talents – Dylan Cockburn and Matthew Urwin – could make their professional debuts after being named among the replacements.

Seb Stephen is the only alteration to the front-row, packing down between Jamie Bhatti and Murphy Walker at the coal-face. Jare Oguntibeju comes into the second-row to start alongside Alex Craig, the latter one of five players released from Scotland camp.

An all-new back-row sees Ally Miller line up at number eight, with Euan Ferrie and Angus Fraser starting on the flanks. Behind the scrum, Dan Lancaster returns to start at fly-half after being rested last time out, pairing up with Ben Afshar in the half-backs.

Stafford McDowall leads the team from outside centre, the Scotland international partnering Kerr Yule in the midfield. McKay is joined in the back-three by Kyle Rowe and Ollie Smith, the former having jointly-topped the charts for defenders beaten league-wide last weekend.

Former Scotland U20 standouts Cockburn and Urwin are included in a senior matchday 23 for the first time, the pair having both impressed in the club’s pre-season matches against Bath and Northampton Saints.

Elsewhere, Grant Stewart and Sione Vailanu are both set to make their first appearances of the season from the bench, forming part of a six-two split of forwards and backs awaiting their opportunity.

Nathan McBeth and Sam Talakai join Stewart as the front-row cover, whilst Macenzzie Duncan wears the number 21 jersey as he covers the back-row. The matchday 23 is rounded out by Jack Oliver, the academy scrum-half set to face his former club.

Head coach Franco Smith said: “We are looking forward to seeing our full squad involved this weekend, with everyone eager to finish this block in the right manner.

“Munster are a proud club with a strong heritage of challenging across all competitions – they will be pushing for the top four once again this season and will bring a strong, physical challenge.

“Everyone is looking forward to the test that lies ahead, and running out in front of what’s set to be another sold out Scotstoun.”

Munster have made four changes to the side that beat Dragons at Virgin Media Park last weekend including a first start since October for prop Oli Jager following his return from a head injury.

While Glasgow are bidding for a ninth successive victory, their Irish opponents, who are fifth in the URC table, have won just once in their last five matches.

Senior coach Mike Prendergast said: "[Glasgow] will obviously lose international players but the one thing Franco Smith has done is built a good squad and a real DNA. The biggest part of their DNA - they obviously play good ball - but in terms of their contact, their contact skills and contact area, is something they really pride themselves on both sides of the ball. In terms of our physicality, we definitely need to go up a notch this weekend to get some rewards out of it."

Glasgow Warriors team to face Munster at Scotstoun, Friday, January 30, kick-off 7.45pm, live on Premier Sports:

15 Josh McKay, 14 Kyle Rowe, 13 Stafford McDowall, 12 Kerr Yule, 11 Ollie Smith, 10 Dan Lancaster; 1 Jamie Bhatti, 2 Seb Stephen, Murphy Walker, Alex Craig, Jare Oguntibeju, Euan Ferrie, Angus Fraser, 8 Ally Miller, 9 Ben Afshar.

Replacements: 16 Grant Stewart, 17 Nathan McBeth, 18 Sam Talakai, 19 Dylan Cockburn, 20 Sione Vailanu, Macenzzie Duncan, Jack Oliver, Matthew Urwin.