Glasgow Warriors: Gregor Townsend eyes big push

Glasgow Warriors came from 18-9 behind at half-time to defeat Munster

Coach Gregor Townsend believes Glasgow Warriors' comeback to defeat Munster will spur his side on to a winning run as they battle at the top of the Pro12.

"I talked last year about a run of games at the end of the season was on the back of a performance at Leinster," recalled the Warriors head coach.

"It was a defeat, but the way we had taken on a top side away from home you could see the confidence building.

"And I believe that second half will have the same effect."

Warriors were 18-9 behind at half time against an Irish side who started the day as league leaders, but the Scottish side ran out 21-18 winners at Scotstoun.

Townsend's side took over at the top for a couple of hours until Ospreys edged in front on points difference after their 31-20 win over Ulster.

And the coach believes it sets them up nicely ahead of their games against Edinburgh, home and away games that double as the 1872 Cup.

Townsend points out that, with Muster and Leinster also involved in a derby, his side have a chance to exploit any points lost by the Irish pair but recognises that Edinburgh are emerging from their poor early season run.

"They got a bonus point win against Treviso, six tries to nil with a lot of confidence," he told BBC Scotland.

Leone Nakarawa scored one of Glasgow's two tries against Munster

"They've had a couple of important away wins as well - Bordeaux and London Welsh.

"We know their form is good and they seem to be together."

Townsend was pleased that his side had got back to winning ways after back-to-back European Champions Cup defeats by Toulouse.

"It shows the character we have in the group to go behind to such a quality opposition with so many experienced players on the field and go out and win," he said.

"It really shows something and it reminded me of the semi-final at times.

"The last couple of weeks, we've been in position to take points and maybe we've not had the total belief, maybe the Toulouse defence was really good, maybe we gave it too much respect, but today was superb.

"They kept the belief and got there in the end."

Townsend insisted the difference after the half-time break was "more on the emotional side and the mindset side than the tactical side".

"We didn't say much," he said. "We just got straight to the point.

"We needed to be true to ourselves, which is come up harder in the line and tackle, run hard at the opposition and make it happen rather than wait for it happen.

"I was really pleased with the second half. The effort was superb."