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As it happened: Munster v Ospreys, Pro12 semi-final

We went minute-by-minute as Munster looked to book a place against Scarlets in next week’s Pro12 final in Dublin.
20 May 2017 FULL-TIME: Munster 23 Ospreys 3 Keelan Giles just forced out of touch as he hares towards the right corner. A toe in touch before he takes off to acrobatically finish means his try is chalked off.
20 May 2017 TRY! Munster 23 Ospreys 3 ( Conway ’73)
20 May 2017 TRY! Munster 13 Ospreys 3 (Zebo ’61)

That’s all from me, folks. We’ll have lots more reaction to come from Limerick this evening, so be sure to check back with us before you finish celebrating that victory.

So Munster win and bring the home semi-finalist record to 15/1 over the eight year history of Pro12 semi-finals.

The 1 of course means it will be Scarlets and not Leinster facing them in the Aviva Stadium next week.

FULL-TIME: Munster 23 Ospreys 3

Keelan Giles just forced out of touch as he hares towards the right corner. A toe in touch before he takes off to acrobatically finish means his try is chalked off.

Munster go down the blindside off the scrum and Conway manages to power a route to the corner.

Bleyendaal can’t convert from the touchline, but it matters not. Munster are 20 up with five minutes to go.

They will take on Scarlets in the Aviva Stadium next Saturday.

TRY! Munster 23 Ospreys 3 ( Conway ’73)

72 MINS: Munster back playing in the right areas and Conor Murray charges down an attempted clearance.

Ospreys are done.

Scott Otten comes oh so close to a front row wonder try for Ospreys as he chips over the top and chases down to score.

Unfortunately for the hooker, Haberfield knocked on at the base of the previous ruck and it’s no try after a TMO.

PENALTY! Munster 18 Ospreys 3 (Bleyendaal ’66)

Terrific try from Munster. Earls chases a kick all the way back, pops it up to Saili and Murray sends Earls away up the flank before passing inside for Zebo to finish.

Bleyendaal adds the extras and Munster look in full control of their destiny now.

Munster 15 Ospreys 3

TRY! Munster 13 Ospreys 3 (Zebo ’61)

No try. Scrum v.

The gap remains just five points with 20 minutes remaining.

Munster pour through. The time is now. Murray breaks clear, passes to Tyler, he asks Earls to finish but there’s plenty of cover there.

A phase later we’re with the TMO to see if Munster are held up or home and hosed.

Francis Saili guilty of biting in during that set of phases.

Jaco Taute is on, but as a replacement for Scannell instead of the outgoing Kiwi.

Oh dear. Ospreys create their best chance of the match, but Beck flings a pass high over the head of a wing begging for an easy finish.

CJ picks up and hands off after a Scannell break. That’s how you inject rhythm into a game.

Munster probing in the 22 and set Keith Earls away on the right, but Haberfield does well to drag him into touch.

Rory Scannell flings a pass over the head of Keith Earls and it feels like the story of the weekend after Leinster’s error-strewn display last night.

Munster look capable of winning this game without hitting top gear, but you can’t go into a final against a side as viciously hungry as Scarlets without flexing your attacking muscle.

The second half is away then, hopefully we’ll get some better fare in the next 40.

Nicky Smith does well to step through tackles on the edge of the Munster 22, but he tries to offload and the pill comes loose.

PENALTY! Munster 8 Ospreys 3 (Bleyendaal ’43)

Nothing comes of the attack (though Munster trucked it up close to the line) and so we go back for Tyler to knock it over.

HALF-TIME: Munster 8 Ospreys 3

Great Billy Holland clear out as Tipuric gets a look at a poach. His efforts bring an advantage as Munster attack in the 22.

Oh it’s all gone Pete Tong at the line-out for Ospreys. The ball is fizzed at Alun Wyn and Munster pounce at the rebound.

Dan Biggar does extremely well to choke up CJ Stander of all people and force a scrum.

James King off injured for Ospreys now. Cracknell in the Welsh back row now.

Munster haven’t gotten to grips with the officials just yet, but Biggar’s second kick at goal is wide of the mark.

There was a long TMO check on that try, but the slow-mo merely highlighted a fine offload from Scannell to set Saili away.

Tyler B’s conversion is just pulled short of the posts.

After a powerful maul out left, Murray draws a penalty offside as he slips a reverse pass to Conway.

Munster attack with the advantage and BIG Francis Saili plants it down.

TRY! Munster 5 Ospreys 3 (Saili ’25)

Rory Scannell shows off his excellent kicking ability to turn the Ospreys and put them under pressure in their 22.

Munster’s defence has been their strong suit all season, and they’re being asked to display it a whole lot in the opening 20 minutes here.

Nice footballing skills from Zebo, touching a loose ball on with his left foot. It loops up behind him and Keith Earls collects. The wing probably should have unleashed Bleyendaal down the left, but instead cut inside.

Great intent from Andrew Conway, flung himself on the deck after the ball bounces off Beck’s knee. No sense letting the officials decide the fate.

Francis Saili is reviewed by TMO, but sensible refereeing from Luke Pearce as he awards just a penalty for the hit on Biggar.

Very difficult for the centre to know that the ball had not been slipped Biggar’s way from his angle.

Boom. Niall Scannell with a fine hit on Alun Wyn and the pair have a bit of afters on the deck.

This contest is shaping up nicely.

Ospreys spill a phase or two later and Saili again looks dangerous on the counter.

Penalty comes for Ospreys after early territorial dominance.

In enemy territory, Saili makes a half-break and offloads (a touch forward, but it’s not given) before Alun Wyn snaffles the ball back.

PENALTY! Munster 0 Ospreys 3 (Biggar ’7)

An offside penalty against Munster, but then the first sign of Ospreys missing Webb as Leonard spills possession at the bottom of a line-out.

KICK-OFF!  The smoke from fireworks cleared in time to catch Donnacha Ryan roaring words of encouragement to himself.

Biggar gets us under way and Zebo takes it in the air.

The camera pans along the dabbing kids in the front row as the teams prepare to run out at Thomond Park.

Rhys Webb is a massive loss to Ospreys. Here’s hoping that’s enough to give Munster an edge to force their way into next weekend’s decider in Dublin.

Personally, I expect the hosts to have at least 10 points to spare come full time.

Rhys Webb speaking on Sky Sports saying he hopes his groin injury will heal within three days.

Hopes to be fit for the final next weekend!

Right, Connacht have lost out to Northampton in the Champions Cup play-off semi. So they go the way of Ulster and Leinster with an early end to the season.

Can Munster keep up the Irish interest with a win over Ospreys today?

 

Here are the teams for today, including a late change for Ospreys as Rhys Webb has pulled out with injury. Brendon Leonard starts in his place at scrum-half.

Munster:

15. Simon Zebo
14. Andrew Conway
13. Francis Saili
12. Rory Scannell
11. Keith Earls
10. Tyler Bleyendaal
9. Conor Murray

1. Dave Kilcoyne
2. Niall Scannell
3. John Ryan
4. Donnacha Ryan
5. Billy Holland
6. Peter O’Mahony (captain)
7. Tommy O’Donnell
8. CJ Stander

Replacements:

16. Rhys Marshall
17. James Cronin
18. Stephen Archer
19. Jean Deysel
20. Jack O’Donoghue
21. Duncan Williams
22. Ian Keatley
23. Jaco Taute

Ospreys:

15. Dan Evans
14. Keelan Giles
13. Kieran Fonotia
12. Ashley Beck
11. Tom Habberfield
10. Dan Biggar
9. Brendon Leonard

1. Nicky Smith
2. Scott Baldwin
3. Rhodri Jones
4. Bradley Davies
5. Alun Wyn Jones (captain)
6. Sam Underhill
7. Justin Tipuric
8. James King

Replacements:

16. Scott Otten
17. Paul James
18. Dan Suter
19. Lloyd Ashley
20. Olly Cracknell
21.  Jay Baker
22. Sam Davies
23. Josh Matavesi

Munster don’t kick off until 18.15. We’re all over watching the Connacht match here.

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