Good evening and welcome along to our live coverage of tonight’s Heineken Champions Cup clash between Gloucester and Munster from Kingsholm.
The race for the quarter-finals intensifies this weekend as we enter the penultimate round of pool action, with Johann van Graan’s side bidding to take a big step towards the knockout stages this evening.
Munster head into this round five encounter top of Pool 2 but it’s particularly tight in this group, with all four clubs still mathematically in contention to advance.
The southern province are in pole position to advance but Exeter Chiefs’ win at Gloucester in December now means just four points separate top and bottom.
It’s all to play for and we’re set for a big evening of European rugby under Friday night lights at Kingsholm. Kick off is at 7.45pm.
TEAM NEWS: The home side have been able to name a number of players returning from injury in their starting XV tonight, including out-half Danny Cipriani.
The England international was sent off at Thomond Park in the round two meeting between the sides but returns to boost the Premiership outfit, as they look to keep their chances of progression alive.
Other changes from the side that started at Welford Road against the Leicester Tigers last weekend see Henry Walker come in at hooker, Franco Mostert move to the blindside flank from the second row with Ed Slater taking Mostert’s place in the engine room and Lewis Ludlow back at openside flanker.
Ben Morgan captains Gloucester, while Gerbrandt Grobler comes up against his former side.
Gloucester:
15. Tom Hudson
14. Charlie Sharples
13. Billy Twelvetrees
12. Mark Atkinson
11. Ollie Thorley
10. Danny Cipriani
9. Callum Braley
1. Josh Hohneck
2. Henry Walker
3. Fraser Balmain
4. Ed Slater
5. Gerbrandt Grobler
6. Franco Mostert
7. Lewis Ludlow
8. Ben Morgan (captain)
Replacements:
16. Franco Marais
17. Alex Seville
18. Ciaran Knight
19. Freddie Clarke
20. Gareth Evans
21. Ben Vellacott
22. Owen Williams
23. Henry Trinder.
11 Jan 2019
7:04PM
TEAM NEWS: As for Munster, the big news is that Chris Farrell is fit to start in midfield after an injury scare in Galway last weekend.
Van Graan has been able to name a near full-strength side for tonight’s game, with Chris Cloete the only notable absentee after he failed to shake off injury.
Tommy O’Donnell instead takes up the openside slot alongside Peter O’Mahony and CJ Stander.
Conor Murray partners Joey Carbery at half-back while Mike Haley is recalled to form a back three with Keith Earls and Andrew Conway.
Rhys Marshall has returned from injury and heads up the replacements ahead of what will be his first appearance since the October win over Gloucester in Thomond Park.
Munster:
15. Mike Haley
14. Andrew Conway
13. Chris Farrell
12. Rory Scannell
11. Keith Earls
10. Joey Carbery
9. Conor Murray
1. Dave Kilcoyne
2. Niall Scannell
3. Stephen Archer
4. Jean Kleyn
5. Tadhg Beirne
6. Peter O’Mahony (captain)
7. Tommy O’Donnell
8. CJ Stander
Replacements:
16. Rhys Marshall
17. Jeremy Loughman
18. John Ryan
19. Billy Holland
20. Arno Botha
21. Alby Mathewson
22. Tyler Bleyendaal
23. Dan Goggin.
AS IT STANDS: Munster were beaten 13-12 by Castres in December to end their unbeaten record in this season’s competition, but they remain top of Pool 2 with 12 points.
Gloucester, on the other hand, are bottom with eight points, but they could overtake Munster with a bonus-point success tonight. Exeter host Castres on Sunday. It’s tight.
11 Jan 2019
7:16PM
Munster have won each of their last five meetings with Gloucester, those victories all coming by more than 12 points — but which way do you see this one going?
Poll Results:
Munster (582)
Gloucester (44)
Draw (13)
11 Jan 2019
7:20PM
A little under half an hour until we get underway, and the atmosphere is really building at Kingsholm. To whet your appetite further, here are some of our pre-match offerings:
The Munster fans have taken over the Kingsholm Shed.
Gary Carr / INPHO
Gary Carr / INPHO / INPHO
Inpho
Inpho
Inpho
Inpho
Inpho
Inpho
11 Jan 2019
7:31PM
Ryan Bailey here guiding you through all the actions as it happens, while Murray Kinsella is in position at Kingsholm. The game is live on BT Sport if you’re near a TV.
Kingsholm is a great-looking ground. Going to be fully packed out tonight, should be a cracking game! pic.twitter.com/ZF4G5ECdMi
Chris Farrell had a fairly prominent strapping on that right knee but he looked to be moving freely enough in the warm-up. The teams are back in the sheds and we’re minutes away from kick-off.
11 Jan 2019
7:45PM
Ben Morgan and Peter O’Mahony lead their respective sides out of the compact and old-school Kingsholm tunnel, as one of the great European venues crackles with atmosphere and intensity under Friday night lights. Munster are wearing their alternate kit for this one.
1 mins – Grobler, the former Munster second row, gets on the end of Cipriani’s hanging kick-off and Gloucester are into attacking mode from the off. The hosts win a penalty, and the out-half kicks for the corner.
11 Jan 2019
7:47PM
2 mins – Gloucester showing their intent from the off, but Tadhg Beirne gets up to put pressure on at the lineout and the Munster pack did brilliantly to stand firm and win the turnover.
11 Jan 2019
7:49PM
2 mins – The sides get to know each other early doors and Romain Poite has to step in and calm things down. From the scrum, Munster get another huge win as they earn the penalty, which Carbery launches down the line.
11 Jan 2019
7:51PM
4 mins – It’s bubbling nicely out there. Murray’s box-kick is fumbled by Hudson and Munster have the scrum just inside their own half on the far side — and then the visitors win a free-kick for an early shove.
11 Jan 2019
7:52PM
6 mins – Prime attacking platform here for the province, as Charlie Sharples grasses another towering Munster kick deep into Gloucester territory. Murray to feed.
11 Jan 2019
7:53PM
7 mins – It’s scrappy as Gloucester — charged up in defence — repel the early threat as Henry Walker hits his opposite number, Niall Scannell, and forces the Munster hooker to knock the ball on in contact. There’s plenty of needle between these two sides.
11 Jan 2019
7:58PM
10 mins — This is dangerous. First sight of Gloucester’s lethal backline, as the hosts very nearly cut Munster apart down the left. Cipriani is at the heart of it, dropping deep and catching the visitors narrow, but Thorley knocks on the final pass out wide.
13 mins — Penalty! Gloucester 3-0 Munster (Twelvetrees)
After a period of sustained pressure, the home side have the first points on the board through the boot of Billy Twelvetrees after Beirne was penalised by Poite.
11 Jan 2019
8:02PM
16 mins – Good response from Munster. Carbery takes the ball to the line and stabs through a clever grubber when the options were limited out wide. It’s perfectly-weighted and sits up invitingly for Conway, who is just beaten to the ball by Thorley, before Gloucester scramble back and clear the danger.
18 mins – Munster asking questions of the Gloucester defence through a multi-phase passage of play. Carbery with lovely hands to keep the ball moving out wide, before the forwards keep it tight and bring it back in field. Into the 14th phase and they’re inching closer to the striking zone.
11 Jan 2019
8:05PM
19 mins — And Carbery now has the chance to bring Munster level as Ludlow is blatantly offside as he looked to dive on the loose ball.
11 Jan 2019
8:05PM
19 mins — Penalty! Gloucester 3-3 Munster (Carbery)
And the out-half makes no mistake from the tee. Munster are level.
11 Jan 2019
8:07PM
21 mins – Gloucester are struggling to field Murray’s box-kicking as Hudson fumbles another one inside the Munster half, and then the province’s scrum turns the screw again to win a penalty.
11 Jan 2019
8:09PM
23 mins – Off the lineout, Stander crashes through midfield as he makes a big carry and Munster are motoring now. Farrell looks to bludgeon his way over from close-range but is stopped just short, but there are numbers wide for the visitors…
11 Jan 2019
8:10PM
24 mins — TRY! Gloucester 3-10 Munster (Carbery)
And Munster are over! Murray delays the pass from under the posts and it opens up beautifully for Carbery to dive over and give Johann van Graan’s side the lead for the first time tonight.
11 Jan 2019
8:11PM
25 mins – Munster are pumped up, and all the momentum is with them at the moment. Beirne wins a penalty on the ground and Stander roars in delight as the second row gets over the ball to earn the turnover. Carbery is calling for the tee.
28 mins — Munster are on top in all facets and just as the hosts looked to regain a stranglehold, O’Mahony puts the Gloucester jumper under huge pressure at the lineout and it’s knocked on. Another vital turnover.
11 Jan 2019
8:16PM
30 mins – Another solid scrum from the Munster pack provides the platform for Murray to send it out to Carbery, who whips it to Rory Scannell, and he uses his big left boot to bring play up to halfway on the far side. Munster are firmly in big-game mode.
32 mins – The error count is rising for Gloucester, as they’re pinged again at the lineout. Frustration for the hosts and director of rugby David Humphreys.
11 Jan 2019
8:20PM
33 mins – Poite has penalised the Gloucester front row again as they concede a third scrum penalty — and the French official wants a word with Ben Morgan, who is warned a card is coming. Carbery, meanwhile, launches the penalty down the touchline.
11 Jan 2019
8:21PM
34 mins – Kleyn gathers Scannell’s throw and after the maul is brought down, Kilcoyne and Stander put the head down and carry into contact — but Gloucester stand firm and Atkinson intercepts to relieve the pressure.
11 Jan 2019
8:22PM
35 mins – What’s new?
Huge shock as Peter O'Mahony and Tadhg Beirne go about spoiling absolutely everything within their reach.
39 mins – Oh dear. Tom Hudson spills another Murray box-kick under little or no pressure from the chasers. The Gloucester fullback hasn’t enjoyed his best half.
11 Jan 2019
8:30PM
40 mins – The clock is deep in the red but Munster are probing through 17 phases of possession.
40 mins — TRY! Gloucester 3-20 Munster (Rory Scannell)
Incredible discipline in possession from Munster as they remain patient through a huge swathe of phases, before Scannell shows incredible strength to burst through and finish under the sticks. Carbery adds the extras.
Superb ball retention, and that try was a thing of beauty from van Graan’s side.
Munster are in complete control at Kingsholm as they’ve dominated up front and at the set-piece, with Carbery and Scannell crossing for first-half tries. The bonus point is there for the taking.
KICK-OFF! We’re back underway at Kingsholm — but Joey Carbery’s chipped restart doesn’t go 10 and it’s a Gloucester scrum on halfway.
11 Jan 2019
8:50PM
42 mins – The first mistake of Carbery’s night could prove costly as Gloucester turn the screw at the set-piece for the first time, allowing Cipriani to send a booming kick deep into Munster territory. The hosts need to make this count.
11 Jan 2019
8:51PM
43 mins – But Munster are working brilliantly in defence and after initially disrupting ball on the far side, the blue shirts are getting through Trojan work in contact to shut the door firmly on the Premiership side. Excellent stuff from JVG’s men.
11 Jan 2019
8:52PM
44 mins – Gloucester aren’t really going anywhere but Farrell plays the ball on the floor and concedes the penalty.
11 Jan 2019
8:53PM
45 mins – Munster are forced to scramble but they’re back into their defensive shape so quickly as they continue to force Gloucester backwards. We’re going back for a high tackle, however. Murray was the guilty party on that occasion.
11 Jan 2019
8:55PM
46 mins – This is a blow for Munster as Peter O’Mahony is going off holding his ribs, and Billy Holland is on in his place. Not exactly sure what happened to the Munster captain, but it takes a lot to force him off.
48 mins — Incredible defence from Munster as they keep Gloucester at bay as if their lives depend on it. The hosts keep it tight, using one-off runners, but the green wall will not be breached. Big tackles from Archer and Earls in that set, and we’re into the 24th phase now.
After 35 energy-sapping phases, the pressure pays off. A phenomenal defensive effort from Munster but, in the end, width unlocks the visitors’ defence as Gloucester move it left and get over in the corner through Thorley. The conversion strikes the post.
55 mins — After losing their captain and conceding a try, Munster need a settler and Murray delivers a big moment. The scrum-half sneaks around the blindside of the ruck to tackle his opposite number Braley and win the scrum for his side. Great position for the southern province.
And they’re over! Stander smashes into Cipriani off the back of another solid scrum and a couple of phases later, Murray whips it to Holland, who offloads brilliantly for Earls to finish in this near corner. Carbery nails the touchline conversion and Munster’s lead extends to 19 points.
11 Jan 2019
9:09PM
58 mins — Earls enjoyed that try as he smashed the ball into the ground in celebration. JVG has looked to freshen things up in his pack with Arno Botha and John Ryan on for O’Donnell and Archer.
11 Jan 2019
9:12PM
60 mins — Munster appear to be over for their fourth try in the far corner as Conway creates something out of nothing to latch onto his own kick through — but Poite is going upstairs to have a look at the grounding.
11 Jan 2019
9:12PM
60 mins — No try! The grounding looked fine but the officials go back and spot Farrell’s offload to Conway in the build-up was fractionally forward. A real shame, as that was superb from the winger.
11 Jan 2019
9:13PM
60 mins – More reinforcements for Munster as JVG sends on Jeremy Loughman in place of Kilcoyne. We’re into the final quarter at Kingsholm.
64 mins — TRY! Gloucester 15-27 Munster (Fraser Balmain)
Is the comeback on? Gloucester keep it tight again and punch holes in the Munster defence, before Balmain barrels his way over from close-range. Battering ram stuff, but it’s a seven-pointer for the hosts.
And, just like they did earlier in the half, Munster find the perfect response. It doesn’t look like there’s anything on for Carbery, but he jinks back onto his left foot and stabs a delightful grubber through for Conway, who latches onto it and there’s no stopping the winger this time. Bonus-point time for Munster!
11 Jan 2019
9:21PM
68 mins — TRY! Gloucester 15-41 Munster (Carbery)
Joey’s away! The out-half adds to his tally as he reads the looping pass to intercept and run it home from 60 yards out for his second try of the game. Munster are home and hosed.
11 Jan 2019
9:22PM
68 mins – Munster even have the luxury of taking Conor Murray off with over 10 minutes to play. Alby Mathewson is on.
70 mins – Carbery has been outstanding tonight, as have most of the Munster players. The travelling supporters are really starting to find their voices around Kingsholm.
Simply stunning JC.. capacity to scan on the run and execute belongs to very few..#Special
71 mins – Dan Goggin and Rhys Marshall are also on. Munster coasting.
11 Jan 2019
9:26PM
71 mins – Carbery — who finishes with 26 points — is given the final nine minutes to put his feet up. Tyler Bleyendaal is on.
11 Jan 2019
9:31PM
75 mins – Austin Healy on BT Sport unsurprinsgly names Joey Carbery as the man of the match. Keith Earls, meanwhile, very nearly streaks through for another Munster score but the final pass to Goggin didn’t go to hand.
A brilliant European night for Munster as they score five tries to earn a crucial bonus-point win at Kingsholm, to take control of Pool 2 heading into the final round of action next weekend.
Johann van Graan’s side now hold an eight-point lead over second-placed Castres, with the French side in action against Exeter on Sunday.
Joey Carbery scored 26 points here with a man of the match display but Munster dominated in all facets, as they produced a vintage away performance under the lights.
We’ll have a full report and reaction to come from Kingsholm throughout the rest of the evening, but until tomorrow, thanks for joining us and goodbye!
Ahead of a huge weekend of Heineken Champions Cup action, Murray Kinsella, Andy Dunne and Gavan Casey assess the provinces’ chances of putting a foot in the last eight:
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As it happened: Gloucester v Munster, Heineken Champions Cup
Good evening and welcome along to our live coverage of tonight’s Heineken Champions Cup clash between Gloucester and Munster from Kingsholm.
The race for the quarter-finals intensifies this weekend as we enter the penultimate round of pool action, with Johann van Graan’s side bidding to take a big step towards the knockout stages this evening.
Munster head into this round five encounter top of Pool 2 but it’s particularly tight in this group, with all four clubs still mathematically in contention to advance.
The southern province are in pole position to advance but Exeter Chiefs’ win at Gloucester in December now means just four points separate top and bottom.
It’s all to play for and we’re set for a big evening of European rugby under Friday night lights at Kingsholm. Kick off is at 7.45pm.
The stage is set.
TEAM NEWS: The home side have been able to name a number of players returning from injury in their starting XV tonight, including out-half Danny Cipriani.
The England international was sent off at Thomond Park in the round two meeting between the sides but returns to boost the Premiership outfit, as they look to keep their chances of progression alive.
Other changes from the side that started at Welford Road against the Leicester Tigers last weekend see Henry Walker come in at hooker, Franco Mostert move to the blindside flank from the second row with Ed Slater taking Mostert’s place in the engine room and Lewis Ludlow back at openside flanker.
Ben Morgan captains Gloucester, while Gerbrandt Grobler comes up against his former side.
Gloucester:
15. Tom Hudson
14. Charlie Sharples
13. Billy Twelvetrees
12. Mark Atkinson
11. Ollie Thorley
10. Danny Cipriani
9. Callum Braley
1. Josh Hohneck
2. Henry Walker
3. Fraser Balmain
4. Ed Slater
5. Gerbrandt Grobler
6. Franco Mostert
7. Lewis Ludlow
8. Ben Morgan (captain)
Replacements:
16. Franco Marais
17. Alex Seville
18. Ciaran Knight
19. Freddie Clarke
20. Gareth Evans
21. Ben Vellacott
22. Owen Williams
23. Henry Trinder.
TEAM NEWS: As for Munster, the big news is that Chris Farrell is fit to start in midfield after an injury scare in Galway last weekend.
Van Graan has been able to name a near full-strength side for tonight’s game, with Chris Cloete the only notable absentee after he failed to shake off injury.
Tommy O’Donnell instead takes up the openside slot alongside Peter O’Mahony and CJ Stander.
Conor Murray partners Joey Carbery at half-back while Mike Haley is recalled to form a back three with Keith Earls and Andrew Conway.
Rhys Marshall has returned from injury and heads up the replacements ahead of what will be his first appearance since the October win over Gloucester in Thomond Park.
Munster:
15. Mike Haley
14. Andrew Conway
13. Chris Farrell
12. Rory Scannell
11. Keith Earls
10. Joey Carbery
9. Conor Murray
1. Dave Kilcoyne
2. Niall Scannell
3. Stephen Archer
4. Jean Kleyn
5. Tadhg Beirne
6. Peter O’Mahony (captain)
7. Tommy O’Donnell
8. CJ Stander
Replacements:
16. Rhys Marshall
17. Jeremy Loughman
18. John Ryan
19. Billy Holland
20. Arno Botha
21. Alby Mathewson
22. Tyler Bleyendaal
23. Dan Goggin.
Munster have arrived at Kingsholm.
AS IT STANDS: Munster were beaten 13-12 by Castres in December to end their unbeaten record in this season’s competition, but they remain top of Pool 2 with 12 points.
Gloucester, on the other hand, are bottom with eight points, but they could overtake Munster with a bonus-point success tonight. Exeter host Castres on Sunday. It’s tight.
Munster have won each of their last five meetings with Gloucester, those victories all coming by more than 12 points — but which way do you see this one going?
Poll Results:
A little under half an hour until we get underway, and the atmosphere is really building at Kingsholm. To whet your appetite further, here are some of our pre-match offerings:
Farrell boost adds to Munster confidence for Kingsholm clash
How they stand: The state of play across the Champions Cup pools
Summer signing Mike Haley building trust in Munster’s 15 shirt
‘Booster weeks’ leave Munster turnover threat O’Mahony fresh
‘Earlsy and Conway working off the ball, that was really good, even Tadhg’s line’
The Munster fans have taken over the Kingsholm Shed.
Ryan Bailey here guiding you through all the actions as it happens, while Murray Kinsella is in position at Kingsholm. The game is live on BT Sport if you’re near a TV.
Chris Farrell had a fairly prominent strapping on that right knee but he looked to be moving freely enough in the warm-up. The teams are back in the sheds and we’re minutes away from kick-off.
Ben Morgan and Peter O’Mahony lead their respective sides out of the compact and old-school Kingsholm tunnel, as one of the great European venues crackles with atmosphere and intensity under Friday night lights. Munster are wearing their alternate kit for this one.
KICK-OFF! We’re underway at Kingsholm.
1 mins – Grobler, the former Munster second row, gets on the end of Cipriani’s hanging kick-off and Gloucester are into attacking mode from the off. The hosts win a penalty, and the out-half kicks for the corner.
2 mins – Gloucester showing their intent from the off, but Tadhg Beirne gets up to put pressure on at the lineout and the Munster pack did brilliantly to stand firm and win the turnover.
2 mins – The sides get to know each other early doors and Romain Poite has to step in and calm things down. From the scrum, Munster get another huge win as they earn the penalty, which Carbery launches down the line.
4 mins – It’s bubbling nicely out there. Murray’s box-kick is fumbled by Hudson and Munster have the scrum just inside their own half on the far side — and then the visitors win a free-kick for an early shove.
6 mins – Prime attacking platform here for the province, as Charlie Sharples grasses another towering Munster kick deep into Gloucester territory. Murray to feed.
7 mins – It’s scrappy as Gloucester — charged up in defence — repel the early threat as Henry Walker hits his opposite number, Niall Scannell, and forces the Munster hooker to knock the ball on in contact. There’s plenty of needle between these two sides.
10 mins — This is dangerous. First sight of Gloucester’s lethal backline, as the hosts very nearly cut Munster apart down the left. Cipriani is at the heart of it, dropping deep and catching the visitors narrow, but Thorley knocks on the final pass out wide.
13 mins — Penalty! Gloucester 3-0 Munster (Twelvetrees)
After a period of sustained pressure, the home side have the first points on the board through the boot of Billy Twelvetrees after Beirne was penalised by Poite.
16 mins – Good response from Munster. Carbery takes the ball to the line and stabs through a clever grubber when the options were limited out wide. It’s perfectly-weighted and sits up invitingly for Conway, who is just beaten to the ball by Thorley, before Gloucester scramble back and clear the danger.
18 mins – Munster asking questions of the Gloucester defence through a multi-phase passage of play. Carbery with lovely hands to keep the ball moving out wide, before the forwards keep it tight and bring it back in field. Into the 14th phase and they’re inching closer to the striking zone.
19 mins — And Carbery now has the chance to bring Munster level as Ludlow is blatantly offside as he looked to dive on the loose ball.
19 mins — Penalty! Gloucester 3-3 Munster (Carbery)
And the out-half makes no mistake from the tee. Munster are level.
21 mins – Gloucester are struggling to field Murray’s box-kicking as Hudson fumbles another one inside the Munster half, and then the province’s scrum turns the screw again to win a penalty.
23 mins – Off the lineout, Stander crashes through midfield as he makes a big carry and Munster are motoring now. Farrell looks to bludgeon his way over from close-range but is stopped just short, but there are numbers wide for the visitors…
24 mins — TRY! Gloucester 3-10 Munster (Carbery)
And Munster are over! Murray delays the pass from under the posts and it opens up beautifully for Carbery to dive over and give Johann van Graan’s side the lead for the first time tonight.
25 mins – Munster are pumped up, and all the momentum is with them at the moment. Beirne wins a penalty on the ground and Stander roars in delight as the second row gets over the ball to earn the turnover. Carbery is calling for the tee.
26 mins — Penalty! Gloucester 3-13 Munster (Carbery)
And Carbery strikes it sweetly and Munster’s lead is out to 10 points.
28 mins — Munster are on top in all facets and just as the hosts looked to regain a stranglehold, O’Mahony puts the Gloucester jumper under huge pressure at the lineout and it’s knocked on. Another vital turnover.
30 mins – Another solid scrum from the Munster pack provides the platform for Murray to send it out to Carbery, who whips it to Rory Scannell, and he uses his big left boot to bring play up to halfway on the far side. Munster are firmly in big-game mode.
32 mins – The error count is rising for Gloucester, as they’re pinged again at the lineout. Frustration for the hosts and director of rugby David Humphreys.
33 mins – Poite has penalised the Gloucester front row again as they concede a third scrum penalty — and the French official wants a word with Ben Morgan, who is warned a card is coming. Carbery, meanwhile, launches the penalty down the touchline.
34 mins – Kleyn gathers Scannell’s throw and after the maul is brought down, Kilcoyne and Stander put the head down and carry into contact — but Gloucester stand firm and Atkinson intercepts to relieve the pressure.
35 mins – What’s new?
39 mins – Oh dear. Tom Hudson spills another Murray box-kick under little or no pressure from the chasers. The Gloucester fullback hasn’t enjoyed his best half.
40 mins – The clock is deep in the red but Munster are probing through 17 phases of possession.
40 mins – Munster are inching their way closer…
40 mins — TRY! Gloucester 3-20 Munster (Rory Scannell)
Incredible discipline in possession from Munster as they remain patient through a huge swathe of phases, before Scannell shows incredible strength to burst through and finish under the sticks. Carbery adds the extras.
Half-time Gloucester 3-20 Munster
Superb ball retention, and that try was a thing of beauty from van Graan’s side.
Munster are in complete control at Kingsholm as they’ve dominated up front and at the set-piece, with Carbery and Scannell crossing for first-half tries. The bonus point is there for the taking.
What did you make of that first half?
KICK-OFF! We’re back underway at Kingsholm — but Joey Carbery’s chipped restart doesn’t go 10 and it’s a Gloucester scrum on halfway.
42 mins – The first mistake of Carbery’s night could prove costly as Gloucester turn the screw at the set-piece for the first time, allowing Cipriani to send a booming kick deep into Munster territory. The hosts need to make this count.
43 mins – But Munster are working brilliantly in defence and after initially disrupting ball on the far side, the blue shirts are getting through Trojan work in contact to shut the door firmly on the Premiership side. Excellent stuff from JVG’s men.
44 mins – Gloucester aren’t really going anywhere but Farrell plays the ball on the floor and concedes the penalty.
45 mins – Munster are forced to scramble but they’re back into their defensive shape so quickly as they continue to force Gloucester backwards. We’re going back for a high tackle, however. Murray was the guilty party on that occasion.
46 mins – This is a blow for Munster as Peter O’Mahony is going off holding his ribs, and Billy Holland is on in his place. Not exactly sure what happened to the Munster captain, but it takes a lot to force him off.
48 mins — Incredible defence from Munster as they keep Gloucester at bay as if their lives depend on it. The hosts keep it tight, using one-off runners, but the green wall will not be breached. Big tackles from Archer and Earls in that set, and we’re into the 24th phase now.
50 mins – TRY! Gloucester 8-20 Munster (Thorley)
After 35 energy-sapping phases, the pressure pays off. A phenomenal defensive effort from Munster but, in the end, width unlocks the visitors’ defence as Gloucester move it left and get over in the corner through Thorley. The conversion strikes the post.
54 mins — Incredible passage of play. Game on.
55 mins — After losing their captain and conceding a try, Munster need a settler and Murray delivers a big moment. The scrum-half sneaks around the blindside of the ruck to tackle his opposite number Braley and win the scrum for his side. Great position for the southern province.
55 mins — TRY! Gloucester 8-27 Munster (Earls)
And they’re over! Stander smashes into Cipriani off the back of another solid scrum and a couple of phases later, Murray whips it to Holland, who offloads brilliantly for Earls to finish in this near corner. Carbery nails the touchline conversion and Munster’s lead extends to 19 points.
58 mins — Earls enjoyed that try as he smashed the ball into the ground in celebration. JVG has looked to freshen things up in his pack with Arno Botha and John Ryan on for O’Donnell and Archer.
60 mins — Munster appear to be over for their fourth try in the far corner as Conway creates something out of nothing to latch onto his own kick through — but Poite is going upstairs to have a look at the grounding.
60 mins — No try! The grounding looked fine but the officials go back and spot Farrell’s offload to Conway in the build-up was fractionally forward. A real shame, as that was superb from the winger.
60 mins – More reinforcements for Munster as JVG sends on Jeremy Loughman in place of Kilcoyne. We’re into the final quarter at Kingsholm.
61 mins – Both Beirne and Kleyn have been immense tonight.
64 mins — TRY! Gloucester 15-27 Munster (Fraser Balmain)
Is the comeback on? Gloucester keep it tight again and punch holes in the Munster defence, before Balmain barrels his way over from close-range. Battering ram stuff, but it’s a seven-pointer for the hosts.
66 mins — TRY! Gloucester 15-34 Munster (Conway)
And, just like they did earlier in the half, Munster find the perfect response. It doesn’t look like there’s anything on for Carbery, but he jinks back onto his left foot and stabs a delightful grubber through for Conway, who latches onto it and there’s no stopping the winger this time. Bonus-point time for Munster!
68 mins — TRY! Gloucester 15-41 Munster (Carbery)
Joey’s away! The out-half adds to his tally as he reads the looping pass to intercept and run it home from 60 yards out for his second try of the game. Munster are home and hosed.
68 mins – Munster even have the luxury of taking Conor Murray off with over 10 minutes to play. Alby Mathewson is on.
70 mins – Carbery has been outstanding tonight, as have most of the Munster players. The travelling supporters are really starting to find their voices around Kingsholm.
71 mins – Dan Goggin and Rhys Marshall are also on. Munster coasting.
71 mins – Carbery — who finishes with 26 points — is given the final nine minutes to put his feet up. Tyler Bleyendaal is on.
75 mins – Austin Healy on BT Sport unsurprinsgly names Joey Carbery as the man of the match. Keith Earls, meanwhile, very nearly streaks through for another Munster score but the final pass to Goggin didn’t go to hand.
Full-time! Gloucester 15-41 Munster
A brilliant European night for Munster as they score five tries to earn a crucial bonus-point win at Kingsholm, to take control of Pool 2 heading into the final round of action next weekend.
Johann van Graan’s side now hold an eight-point lead over second-placed Castres, with the French side in action against Exeter on Sunday.
Joey Carbery scored 26 points here with a man of the match display but Munster dominated in all facets, as they produced a vintage away performance under the lights.
Job done for Munster!
We’ll have a full report and reaction to come from Kingsholm throughout the rest of the evening, but until tomorrow, thanks for joining us and goodbye!
Ahead of a huge weekend of Heineken Champions Cup action, Murray Kinsella, Andy Dunne and Gavan Casey assess the provinces’ chances of putting a foot in the last eight:
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