GREGOR TOWNSEND has told his Warriors to keep their eyes on the prize during their pivotal clash at Munster this evening.

Glasgow currently sit top of the GUINNESS PRO12 and travel to Cork to take on the side occupying joint-second place with only seven games remaining.

Just four points separate the teams as they head into the final stretch of the season with the Scotstoun club riding high following their 19-16 win over Ospreys last weekend.

And ahead of tonight's showdown at the Irish Independent Park, head coach Townsend has highlighted how key the clash with Munster could be come the end of the of the season.

He said: "After last weekend's win over Ospreys we now face another of the in-form teams in the GUINNESS PRO12 and we've had some massive games with Munster over the last couple of seasons.

"They are sitting second in the league, just four points behind us, so we're well aware of the importance of this game.

"A number of players could make their debuts for the club this weekend, which is a big opportunity for them to show what they can do and we're also delighted to welcome Adam Ashe back into our squad."

One of those debutants is Canadian international Connor Braid, who will now stay with Warriors until the end of the season.

The back was due to return to London Scottish following his loan spell, however he will now stay on following the injury to Duncan Weir and Finn Russell and Peter Horne's participation in the RBS Six Nations.

Along with Murray McConnell who will gain his maiden start and Will Bordill, Braid will run out for the first time for Glasgow at stand-off.

And Townsend added: "We're delighted that Connor will be staying with us until the end of the season.

"He is a hard-working player who is always looking to improve and can play in a variety of positions throughout the backline.

"We have a number of players unavailable at the moment, so we'd like to thank London Scottish for their support."

Adam Ashe will return to the Glasgow team for the first time since October after recovering from an injury sustained while playing for Scotland last November.

Alex Toolis, Tommy Spinks and D'Arcy Rae are set to make their Warriors debuts from the bench.

Peter Murchie continues at full-back, with Niko Matawalu and DTH van der Merwe on either wing, while Richie Vernon and Fraser Lyle continue their centre partnership.

McConnell is handed his first start for the Warriors at scrum-half. It will be the 22-year-old's fifth appearance for the club.

In the forwards Alex Allan comes in at loose-head and after his try last weekend in the win over Ospreys Pat MacArthur is retained at hooker, with Rossouw de Klerk continuing at tight-head.

James Eddie moves from the back-row into the engine room in place of the suspended Leone Nakarawa and he'll partner captain Al Kellock.

In the back-row Ashe starts on the blind-side, Bordill comes in for the injured Tyrone Holmes at open-side and Josh Strauss continues at No.8.

Meanwhile, tonight's match will also mark the official opening of Munster's new home in Cork with under 2000 tickets remaining for the tie.