GLASGOW Warriors coach Gregor Townsend is convinced that his team CAN win the Champions Cup - despite the fact that they have never qualified for the quarter-finals.

The Warriors are in Munster today for a Pool One match that will be a poignant occasion - the first time the Irish province have played since the death of their coach Anthony Foley on Sunday. Glasgow have shown they can beat Munster in the PRO12 - they did so in the 2015 final, for example - but they cannot come close to matching their European record.

Munster have won the cup twice, in 2006 and 2008, and were also runners-up in 2000. Ulster were the first Irish team to win the trophy, back in 1999, and Leinster have won it three times.

The closest either Scottish team came was when Edinburgh got to the semi-final in 2012 - this time they are only in the Challenge Cup. The furthest Glasgow have got so far was way back in 1997, when they lost 90-19 to Leicester in the quarter-final play-offs.

But the Warriors got this season’s campaign off to a superb start when they beat Leicester 42-13 at Scotstoun last Friday, and Townsend is sure that in the end his side can follow the Irish and win the trophy. “There's no reason why we can't,” he said.

“When Edinburgh got to the semifinals, there were three PRO2 teams in the last four. The PRO12 teams started really well last week, so it's now about taking opportunities. If you can get out of your pool you are three games away from winning. But the tough thing is getting out the pool.

“It's a reality that we've never got to the quarter-finals as a club. We should have, given the rugby we've played, especially the last few seasons.

“We believe that we've not reached our potential, and this year is another chance for us to do better. We've shown - not just in one-off games, but in a few games - how well we can play at that level.

“It's very difficult. You’re playing the best teams in Europe, and the last two seasons we've won three of the six games. We need to win more than that.”

Co-captain Jonny Gray said it had been a difficult and emotional week, but said the best way to pay tribute to Foley was to go out there and play at their best.

“I’d just like to say it’s been a terrible week. It’s such a huge loss, such a rugby legend.

“Thomond Park is a special occasion. We know it’s going to be emotional, and we’ll pay our respects before and after the game.

“It’s a celebration as well. And it’s an honour to be involved in it.”

Townsend has made only two changes from the team that started last week’s win over Leicester. Sean Lamont has been named on the wing in place of the injured Leonardo Sarto, and Alex Dunbar - who had to pull out at short notice last week because of illness - returns at centre instead of Mark Bennett.

Glasgow Warriors (v Munster at Thomond Park, today, 1pm): S Hogg; S Lamont, A Dunbar, S Johnson, R Hughes; F Russell, H Pyrgos; G Reid, F Brown, Z Fagerson, T Swinson, J Gray, R Harley, R Wilson, J Strauss. Substitutes: P MAcArthur, A Allan, S Puafisi, L Wynne, S Favaro, A Price, M Bennett, P Murchie.