Before we say goodbye to 2016, we’ve got one more treat on this busy New Year’s Eve on the rugby front with Connacht welcoming Munster to the Sportsground.
Can Pat Lam’s men round off a memorable year with another big win or will Munster’s recent momentum continue as they look to consolidate their position at the top of the Pro12?
It’s a big one in Galway and kick-off is at 5.30pm.
The atmosphere is building in Galway and this one has all the ingredients to be a real cracker.
Ryan Bailey here to guide you through all the action as it happens while Murray Kinsella is out west and in position for the final Pro12 fixture of the year.
Muldoon comes in for Naulia Dawai at number eight while O’Brien is drafted onto the bench in place of Danny Qualter.
Connacht:
15. Tiernan O’Halloran
14. Niyi Adeolokun
13. Rory Parata
12. Peter Robb
11. Matt Healy
10. Jack Carty
9. Kieran Marmion
1. Denis Buckley
2. Tom McCartney
3. Finlay Bealham
4. Quinn Roux
5. James Cannon
6. Nepia Fox-Matamua
7. Jake Heenan
8. John Muldoon (captain)
Replacements:
16. Dave Heffernan
17. JP Cooney
18. John Andress
19. Lewis Stevenson
20. Sean O’Brien
21. Caolin Blade
22. Ciaran Gaffney
23. Naulia Dawai
31 Dec 2016
5:08PM
And this is how Munster will line-up.
One change, but it’s just positional, from the team named yesterday with Keith Earls and Ronan O’Mahony switching wings.
Munster:
15. Andrew Conway
14. Keith Earls
13. Francis Saili
12. Dan Goggin
11. Ronan O’Mahony
10. Ian Keatley
9. Duncan Williams
1. James Cronin
2. Rhys Marshall
3. Stephen Archer
4. Jean Kleyn
5. Dave Foley
6. Billy Holland (captain)
7. Tommy O’Donnell
8. Jack O’Donoghue
Replacements:
16. Kevin O’Byrne
17. Dave Kilcoyne
18. Thomas Du Toit
19. Robin Copeland
20. Conor Oliver
21. Te Aihe Toma
22. Rory Scannell
23. Jaco Taute
31 Dec 2016
5:09PM
Not long until kick-off now.
Which way do you see this one going? If you want to join in the conversation, tweet us: @rugby_ie and @The42_ie, e-mail ryan@the42.ie or post your thoughts in the comments section below.
Billy Stickland / INPHO
Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO
31 Dec 2016
5:30PM
Right on cue, the heavens have opened in Galway as Munster make their way from the sanctuary of the dressing rooms. A strong wind blowing across the ground too for this New Year’s Eve clash.
Strong start from Munster as they look to set an early marker. Connacht’s defence really stretched already as the visitors go through the phases.
31 Dec 2016
5:34PM
So close! A period of sustained pressure sees Billy Holland burst through the wall of green shirts and while Connacht scramble back to pull him down just short, they’re penalised for not rolling away. Keatley has called for the tee.
31 Dec 2016
5:35PM
Penalty! Connacht 0-3 Munster (Keatley)
The wind is really blowing out there but Keatley drives his first attempt between the posts to give Munster the perfect start. Connacht yet to get their hands on the ball.
31 Dec 2016
5:37PM
Really encouraging signs for Munster during the opening exchanges. They’ve started with real intent and earn the scrum after a Connacht handling error.
Saili gets ball in hand and drives a low kick into touch on this near side to put Connacht under more early pressure.
31 Dec 2016
5:39PM
Saili already heavily involved on his comeback from injury and he floats an inviting pass out to the right for O’Mahony, who kicks on but he put too much behind that and it trickles behind and out.
Carty to restart but Munster come straight back at them.
31 Dec 2016
5:44PM
Much better from Connacht as they turn over the ball and look to pounce. Marmion doesn’t give up on a kick chase and he dives at the feet of Keatley, who was shepherding the ball out of play.
The referee goes upstairs to have a look but the TMO correctly calls ‘no try’ and we’re going back for a Munster scrum.
James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
31 Dec 2016
5:47PM
Connacht concede another penalty, this time for driving up at the scrum and Keatley finds touch on this near side.
The move breaks down in midfield, however, and tempers fray when Saili clashes with Peter Robb. The referee has to step in and just calm things down after both sets of players got involved.
31 Dec 2016
5:48PM
That’s poor from Carty as he misses touch with the penalty but he has the chance to redeem himself minutes later when Munster are pinged for a high tackle. A scrappy start to the game.
31 Dec 2016
5:51PM
Conditions are far from ideal and certainly the wind and rain is having a real impact with both sides guilty of handling errors and unforced errors.
As we restart with a scrum, Connacht get a good shove on and win the penalty with Munster pinged for collapsing the set-piece. Carty has the chance to level the scores.
31 Dec 2016
5:52PM
But the out-half misses his first attempt and Munster’s early 3-0 lead remains intact.
James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
31 Dec 2016
5:58PM
Great work from Cronin to turn it over but Munster then lose possession a couple of phases later.
Connacht look to break and Marmion’s grubber kick has Adeolokun interested. The winger makes up good ground to haul Conway into touch and the hosts have the lineout deep in Munster territory.
31 Dec 2016
5:59PM
Roux spills the lineout but Connacht come again through Marmion. Munster’s defence standing firm so far as the weather deteriorates further.
31 Dec 2016
6:00PM
And Connacht are left frustrated again as Munster get their hands on the ball and Keatley hacks clear. It’s really turning into a forwards battle now — one for the purists.
Sean O’Brien, a late inclusion on the Connacht bench, is into the action after 29 minutes with Nepia Fox-Matamua forced off through injury. Pretty uninspiring stuff so far.
31 Dec 2016
6:07PM
Penalty! Connacht 3-3 Munster (Carty)
Connacht win the penalty at scrum time and Carty makes no mistake with his second effort to level proceedings after half an hour.
31 Dec 2016
6:09PM
Connacht are enjoying the better of the set-piece so far and this time they win a free-kick from referee Dudley Phillips.
McCartney penalised for coming in from the side and Munster have the chance to regain the lead just before half-time. This isn’t an easy kick for Keatley.
31 Dec 2016
6:15PM
PENALTY! Connacht 3-6 Munster (Keatley)
The wind does its best to hold that one up but Keatley strikes it cleanly enough to add three points to his and Munster’s tally.
Teams are back out for the second half. John Muldoon calls the Connacht players into a huddle on halfway before Jack Carty restarts proceedings.
31 Dec 2016
6:31PM
Blistering start from Munster as Duncan Williams finds a hole in the Connacht defence and breaks free. He offloads for the supporting Tommy O’Donnell and suddenly the visitors are up into the Connacht half.
But, as we’ve seen on more than one occasion this evening, a handling error stops Munster in their tracks and then the western province win the scrum penalty.
31 Dec 2016
6:33PM
Munster win another penalty and Keatley tries his luck — but he’s way short and we restart with a 22 drop-out.
James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
31 Dec 2016
6:40PM
Cronin is penalised at the scrum again and Carty has the chance to level the scores again.
31 Dec 2016
6:40PM
Penalty! Connacht 6-6 Munster (Carty)
And that he does from close range. We’re all-square after 51 minutes.
Change for Munster, meanwhile, with Du Toit on for Archer.
31 Dec 2016
6:43PM
Penalty count rising for both teams as Cronin goes in high on Marmion. No further punishment but that’s the prop’s last involvement of the evening as he’s replaced by Dave Kilcoyne.
31 Dec 2016
6:44PM
Connacht win the penalty and Carty kicks for the corner. The momentum is with the home side now as they look to hit the front for the first time this evening. Marmion controlling the rolling maul.
31 Dec 2016
6:46PM
And they make a mess of that. Buckley has to go in a play scrum half and McCartney fumbles, allowing Munster to steal it.
Keatley boldly goes cross-field and he finds Conway, who scythes through the Connacht defence in midfield.
A frenetic passage of play ends with Marmion being bundled into touch metres from his own line. Brilliant position this for Munster.
31 Dec 2016
6:47PM
Despite the conditions, the game has come to life and it’s now end-to-end.
Matt Healy is given some space on the wing but O’Mahony makes good ground to get back and make the tackle to stop his counterpart in his tracks. The ball spills loose and the chance is gone. 25 minutes to go at a sodden Sportsground.
Not good news for Tommy O’Donnell as he hobbles off with the help of two doctors. Robin Copeland on for the final 10 minutes while Conor Oliver has replaced Dave Foley.
Changes for Connacht, too.
Replacements: Caolin Blade and John Andress on for Marmion and Bealham #CRLive 6 - 16
Yellow card! Munster will play out the last eight minutes a man down after Dave Kilcoyne was sent to the bin.
31 Dec 2016
7:06PM
Connacht win another scrum penalty and kick for touch. Last chance saloon now for the home side.
31 Dec 2016
7:07PM
After winning the lineout, Connacht set it up in midfield but 14-man Munster aren’t budging. Through the phases but they’re not getting anywhere.
31 Dec 2016
7:08PM
Advantage Connacht on Carty goes cross-field for Healy but the winger can’t gather the ball with O’Mahony scrambling. We’re going back for the penalty, with Carty to have a shot at goal.
31 Dec 2016
7:09PM
Penalty! Connacht 9-16 Munster (Carty)
No mistake from the out-half and now Connacht have at least a losing bonus point. Three minutes remaining in Galway.
31 Dec 2016
7:10PM
Brilliant restart from Keatley as he finds touch on the far side after noticing nobody was at home for Connacht. Now the home side have to start from their own 22.
31 Dec 2016
7:13PM
Munster managing these last few minutes brilliantly. Clock running down with a number of reset scrums and we’re not into last-play territory. Connacht will have to run it from their own line if they are to salvage a draw.
31 Dec 2016
7:14PM
Tempers fray again and the referee has to intervene before things get too heated. Connacht win the penalty and they tap and go. This is the last play of the game.
31 Dec 2016
7:16PM
Munster down to 13 men! Williams is sent to the bin by the referee.
A frenetic finish to the game in Galway as Munster hold on for an important victory which sees their lead at the top of the Pro12 stretch to five points.
That’s all for our coverage of today’s back-to-back interpros but reports from both games, plus reaction from the respective camps, will be on The42 throughout the evening.
Happy New Year and until next time, goodbye!
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
As it happened: Connacht v Munster, Guinness Pro12
Before we say goodbye to 2016, we’ve got one more treat on this busy New Year’s Eve on the rugby front with Connacht welcoming Munster to the Sportsground.
Can Pat Lam’s men round off a memorable year with another big win or will Munster’s recent momentum continue as they look to consolidate their position at the top of the Pro12?
It’s a big one in Galway and kick-off is at 5.30pm.
The atmosphere is building in Galway and this one has all the ingredients to be a real cracker.
Ryan Bailey here to guide you through all the action as it happens while Murray Kinsella is out west and in position for the final Pro12 fixture of the year.
A sell-out crowd expected this evening.
Some late changes to the Connacht team with John Muldoon and Sean O’Brien both passed fit for this evening’s game.
Muldoon comes in for Naulia Dawai at number eight while O’Brien is drafted onto the bench in place of Danny Qualter.
Connacht:
15. Tiernan O’Halloran
14. Niyi Adeolokun
13. Rory Parata
12. Peter Robb
11. Matt Healy
10. Jack Carty
9. Kieran Marmion
1. Denis Buckley
2. Tom McCartney
3. Finlay Bealham
4. Quinn Roux
5. James Cannon
6. Nepia Fox-Matamua
7. Jake Heenan
8. John Muldoon (captain)
Replacements:
16. Dave Heffernan
17. JP Cooney
18. John Andress
19. Lewis Stevenson
20. Sean O’Brien
21. Caolin Blade
22. Ciaran Gaffney
23. Naulia Dawai
And this is how Munster will line-up.
One change, but it’s just positional, from the team named yesterday with Keith Earls and Ronan O’Mahony switching wings.
Munster:
15. Andrew Conway
14. Keith Earls
13. Francis Saili
12. Dan Goggin
11. Ronan O’Mahony
10. Ian Keatley
9. Duncan Williams
1. James Cronin
2. Rhys Marshall
3. Stephen Archer
4. Jean Kleyn
5. Dave Foley
6. Billy Holland (captain)
7. Tommy O’Donnell
8. Jack O’Donoghue
Replacements:
16. Kevin O’Byrne
17. Dave Kilcoyne
18. Thomas Du Toit
19. Robin Copeland
20. Conor Oliver
21. Te Aihe Toma
22. Rory Scannell
23. Jaco Taute
Not long until kick-off now.
Which way do you see this one going? If you want to join in the conversation, tweet us: @rugby_ie and @The42_ie, e-mail ryan@the42.ie or post your thoughts in the comments section below.
It’s a busy day of Pro12 action.
This, of course, is the second interpro of the day with Leinster strolling to victory over Ulster at the RDS a little earlier.
Full report from Leinster’s 22-7 win here.
Right on cue, the heavens have opened in Galway as Munster make their way from the sanctuary of the dressing rooms. A strong wind blowing across the ground too for this New Year’s Eve clash.
Kick-off! Ian Keatley gets us underway in Galway.
Strong start from Munster as they look to set an early marker. Connacht’s defence really stretched already as the visitors go through the phases.
So close! A period of sustained pressure sees Billy Holland burst through the wall of green shirts and while Connacht scramble back to pull him down just short, they’re penalised for not rolling away. Keatley has called for the tee.
Penalty! Connacht 0-3 Munster (Keatley)
The wind is really blowing out there but Keatley drives his first attempt between the posts to give Munster the perfect start. Connacht yet to get their hands on the ball.
Really encouraging signs for Munster during the opening exchanges. They’ve started with real intent and earn the scrum after a Connacht handling error.
Saili gets ball in hand and drives a low kick into touch on this near side to put Connacht under more early pressure.
Saili already heavily involved on his comeback from injury and he floats an inviting pass out to the right for O’Mahony, who kicks on but he put too much behind that and it trickles behind and out.
Carty to restart but Munster come straight back at them.
Much better from Connacht as they turn over the ball and look to pounce. Marmion doesn’t give up on a kick chase and he dives at the feet of Keatley, who was shepherding the ball out of play.
The referee goes upstairs to have a look but the TMO correctly calls ‘no try’ and we’re going back for a Munster scrum.
Connacht concede another penalty, this time for driving up at the scrum and Keatley finds touch on this near side.
The move breaks down in midfield, however, and tempers fray when Saili clashes with Peter Robb. The referee has to step in and just calm things down after both sets of players got involved.
That’s poor from Carty as he misses touch with the penalty but he has the chance to redeem himself minutes later when Munster are pinged for a high tackle. A scrappy start to the game.
Conditions are far from ideal and certainly the wind and rain is having a real impact with both sides guilty of handling errors and unforced errors.
As we restart with a scrum, Connacht get a good shove on and win the penalty with Munster pinged for collapsing the set-piece. Carty has the chance to level the scores.
But the out-half misses his first attempt and Munster’s early 3-0 lead remains intact.
It has been a feisty opening 20 minutes.
Great work from Cronin to turn it over but Munster then lose possession a couple of phases later.
Connacht look to break and Marmion’s grubber kick has Adeolokun interested. The winger makes up good ground to haul Conway into touch and the hosts have the lineout deep in Munster territory.
Roux spills the lineout but Connacht come again through Marmion. Munster’s defence standing firm so far as the weather deteriorates further.
And Connacht are left frustrated again as Munster get their hands on the ball and Keatley hacks clear. It’s really turning into a forwards battle now — one for the purists.
Sean O’Brien, a late inclusion on the Connacht bench, is into the action after 29 minutes with Nepia Fox-Matamua forced off through injury. Pretty uninspiring stuff so far.
Penalty! Connacht 3-3 Munster (Carty)
Connacht win the penalty at scrum time and Carty makes no mistake with his second effort to level proceedings after half an hour.
Connacht are enjoying the better of the set-piece so far and this time they win a free-kick from referee Dudley Phillips.
It has been nothing if not hotly-contested.
The rain continues to drive down in Galway.
McCartney penalised for coming in from the side and Munster have the chance to regain the lead just before half-time. This isn’t an easy kick for Keatley.
PENALTY! Connacht 3-6 Munster (Keatley)
The wind does its best to hold that one up but Keatley strikes it cleanly enough to add three points to his and Munster’s tally.
Half-time! Connacht 3-6 Munster
Not a classic by any means, but a fascinating second half in store.
Teams are back out for the second half. John Muldoon calls the Connacht players into a huddle on halfway before Jack Carty restarts proceedings.
Blistering start from Munster as Duncan Williams finds a hole in the Connacht defence and breaks free. He offloads for the supporting Tommy O’Donnell and suddenly the visitors are up into the Connacht half.
But, as we’ve seen on more than one occasion this evening, a handling error stops Munster in their tracks and then the western province win the scrum penalty.
Munster win another penalty and Keatley tries his luck — but he’s way short and we restart with a 22 drop-out.
Cronin is penalised at the scrum again and Carty has the chance to level the scores again.
Penalty! Connacht 6-6 Munster (Carty)
And that he does from close range. We’re all-square after 51 minutes.
Change for Munster, meanwhile, with Du Toit on for Archer.
Penalty count rising for both teams as Cronin goes in high on Marmion. No further punishment but that’s the prop’s last involvement of the evening as he’s replaced by Dave Kilcoyne.
Connacht win the penalty and Carty kicks for the corner. The momentum is with the home side now as they look to hit the front for the first time this evening. Marmion controlling the rolling maul.
And they make a mess of that. Buckley has to go in a play scrum half and McCartney fumbles, allowing Munster to steal it.
Keatley boldly goes cross-field and he finds Conway, who scythes through the Connacht defence in midfield.
A frenetic passage of play ends with Marmion being bundled into touch metres from his own line. Brilliant position this for Munster.
Despite the conditions, the game has come to life and it’s now end-to-end.
TRY! Connacht 6-13 Munster (Marshall)
Classic Munster. The rolling maul from the lineout is unstoppable and it’s Rhys Marshall who gets the ball down. Keatley nails the conversion.
Pat Lam makes a couple of changes.
Matt Healy is given some space on the wing but O’Mahony makes good ground to get back and make the tackle to stop his counterpart in his tracks. The ball spills loose and the chance is gone. 25 minutes to go at a sodden Sportsground.
Rhys Marshall’s try separates the teams at the moment.
Munster have been superb defensively this evening.
Not good news for Tommy O’Donnell as he hobbles off with the help of two doctors. Robin Copeland on for the final 10 minutes while Conor Oliver has replaced Dave Foley.
Changes for Connacht, too.
Yellow card! Munster will play out the last eight minutes a man down after Dave Kilcoyne was sent to the bin.
Connacht win another scrum penalty and kick for touch. Last chance saloon now for the home side.
After winning the lineout, Connacht set it up in midfield but 14-man Munster aren’t budging. Through the phases but they’re not getting anywhere.
Advantage Connacht on Carty goes cross-field for Healy but the winger can’t gather the ball with O’Mahony scrambling. We’re going back for the penalty, with Carty to have a shot at goal.
Penalty! Connacht 9-16 Munster (Carty)
No mistake from the out-half and now Connacht have at least a losing bonus point. Three minutes remaining in Galway.
Brilliant restart from Keatley as he finds touch on the far side after noticing nobody was at home for Connacht. Now the home side have to start from their own 22.
Munster managing these last few minutes brilliantly. Clock running down with a number of reset scrums and we’re not into last-play territory. Connacht will have to run it from their own line if they are to salvage a draw.
Tempers fray again and the referee has to intervene before things get too heated. Connacht win the penalty and they tap and go. This is the last play of the game.
Munster down to 13 men! Williams is sent to the bin by the referee.
Full-time! Connacht 9-16 Munster
A frenetic finish to the game in Galway as Munster hold on for an important victory which sees their lead at the top of the Pro12 stretch to five points.
Full report from the Sportsground here.
That’s all for our coverage of today’s back-to-back interpros but reports from both games, plus reaction from the respective camps, will be on The42 throughout the evening.
Happy New Year and until next time, goodbye!
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
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