Clermont 26
Munster 19
Murray Kinsella reports from Stade Marcel-Michelin
MUNSTER WERE CONSIDERABLY better than they had been a week ago in Limerick, but ultimately some superb try-scoring from Franck Azéma’s impressive Clermont made them deserved winners at a throbbing Stade Marcel-Michelin.
Crucially, Anthony Foley’s side grabbed a losing bonus point with the final kick of the game from Ian Keatley to keep their hopes of advancing from Pool 1 of the Champions Cup alive.
There was an improved ambition from Munster with ball in hand, as their forwards passed and offloaded rather then simply running directly into tacklers. The introduction of JJ Hanrahan added incision outside out-half Keatley too.
Despite those positive elements, Munster failed to turn attacking progress into points on the scoreboard, particularly in the first half when they enjoyed a greater share of the possession and territory.
Clermont, in contrast, were lethal in their use of the ball, striking repeatedly on the counter attack and from kick reception. Their thrilling backline manufactured linebreaks on a number of occasions, while their pack looked comfortable in passing and exploiting space.
ASM in full flight, as for both their first-half tries, is one of the great sights in European rugby, although Munster’s travelling support of more than 1,000 will not have enjoyed the spectable that the likes of man of the match Camille Lopez, Noa Nakaitaci, Wesley Fofana and Fritz Lee served up.
Concession of a wonderful Nakaitaci try on the stroke of half time was a major blow for Munster, as Nick Abendanon took a quick line-out before Lee shifted to the ball to the Fiji-born wing.
Nakaitaci weaved over from all of 35 metres out, leaving Keatley and Andrew Conway tangled up along the way with his sensational footwork at pace. Lopez’s conversion left Clermont 15-6 to the good at the break, a position of socreboard dominance they never gave up.
Munster had delivered a heartening first-half showing, making that scoreline all the more disillusioning. Foley’s side attacked with greater width and variety than last weekend in Thomond Park, cleverly moving the ball before the point of contact.
Hanrahan contributed an element of unpredictability too, but Munster could only turn their impressive display into six points in that first half. Keatley slammed over a 55-metre penalty after four minutes, then added a second from under the sticks on the 11-minute mark when Thomas Domingo was pinged for scrummaging in on an illegal angle.
That score came soon after a magnificent Aurélien Rougerie ball-and-all tackle on Keatley had denied what looked like a certain try, the veteran centre knocking on in the process.
Tommy O’Donnell and Peter O’Mahony were busy at the breakdown, while Clermont had some slight issues at their line-out, all adding up to a semblance of dominance for Munster.
But how this Clermont side can create something in the blink of an eye. Their 18th-minute try through Damien Chouly was an illustration of exactly that.
Munster initially survived a big break from out-half Lopez, who chipped over BJ Botha on halfway, gathered and offloaded. Parra basketball passed the pill wide to Benjamin Kayser, but the hooker’s intended pass to Zac Guildfor out wide was picked off by Jones.
Conor Murray’s clearing kick missed touch and Clermont swept forward again in an instant. Wesley Fofana scythed through on the right, and offloaded to Domingo. Clermont were patient from close-range, eventually scoring as Chouly stretched out a strong right arm to touch down, confirmed by the TMO.
Lopez was off target with the conversion, although he did knock over a penalty from the left when Robin Copeland lost his discipline, failing release after tackling, during a six-minute spell on the pitch as a concussion test replacement for number eight CJ Stander.
Having suffered that late first-half setback through Nakaitaci’s score, Munster started the second period well, Keatley slotting a 35-metre penalty after Owens penalised Kayser for not supporting his bodyweight while jackaling.
Any encouragement from those three points was quickly sapped though, as Jones was justifiably sin binned for sticking out a left leg to stop Lopez chasing his own kick as Clermont countered.
To add to the damage, the Clermont playmaker kicked the subsequent penatly, stretching Clermont out to an 18-9 lead.
With Munster down to seven forwards in the scrum, O’Donnell covering on the right wing, Clermont massacred the visitors at the next set-piece, but Lopez was wide to the left from a kickable position.
Jones re-entered the fray to a chorus of boos soon after, and Munster could argue that they had handled their numerical disadvantage well. However, Foley’s side were beginning to lose the battle at the breakdown area, leading directly to Lopez’s next three points from a 45-metre penalty.
Clermont’s ascendancy continued as numer eight Lee made a huge bust, before offloading to Sébastien Vahaamahina. From 20 metres out, it looked as though the lock might run clear to score, but Zebo and Conway combine to haul him down inches short.
Clermont still had an extensive overlap on the left, but somehow managed to butcher the five-on-two situation, Parra’s uncomposed pass forcing Lee into the knock-on over his head and with the tryline begging.
The Top 14 outfit were unconcered by their missed chances, however, and continued to dominate possession. The final blow came with 73 minutes on the clock, inspirational captain Chouly bashing over in the right-hand corner.
There was what looked like being only a late consolation for Munster in the fashion of a Duncan Casey try, the hooker intercepting a pass from Lee inside the Clermont 22 then stretching his legs. Keatley’s conversion brought Munster back to within 10 points.
Building an attack to find what might be a crucial losing bonus point, Munster forced Clermont tormentor-in-chief Lee to concede the penalty. Keatley held his nerve to grab a match point that looked highly unlikely at many stages.
Clermont scorers:
Tries: Damien Chouly [2], Noa Nakaitaci
Conversions: Camille Lopez [1 from 3]
Penalties: Camille Lopez [3 from 3]
Munster scorers:
Tries: Duncan Casey
Conversions: Ian Keatley [1 from 1]
Penalties: Ian Keatley [3 from 3]
CLERMONT: Nick Abendanon; Noa Nakaitaci, Aurélien Rougerie (Benson Stanley ’59), Wesley Fofana, Zac Guildford; Camille Lopez (Brock James ’74), Morgan Parra (Ludovic Radoslavjevic ’64); Thomas Domingo (Raphael Chaume ’59), Benjamin Kayser (John Ulugia ’74), Davit Zirakashvili (Clément Ric ’69); Jamie Cudmore (Julien Pierre ’74), Sébastien Vahaamahina; Damien Chouly (capt.), Alexandre Lapandry, Fritz Lee.
Replacements not used: Julien Bardy.
MUNSTER: Felix Jones (yellow card – ’44 to ’54), Andrew Conway, Andrew Smith (Denis Hurley ’80, JJ Hanrahan, Simon Zebo (Johne Murphy ’75), Ian Keatley, Conor Murray; John Ryan, Duncan Casey, BJ Botha (Stephen Archer ’75); Dave Foley, Paul O’Connell; Peter O’Mahony (capt.), Tommy O’Donnell, CJ Stander (Robin Copeland ’24 to ’30, concussion bin. ’61, permanent).
Replacements not used: Kevin O’Byrne, Eusebio Guinazu, Billy Holland, Duncan Williams.
Referee: Nigel Owens [WRU].
Fair play munster that’s a great point in the end
A great, but irrelevant point
We’ll see if its irrelevant in Jan.
It means that Munster need a win instead of a bonus point win against Saracens. Plus a bonus point win against Sale. Plus Saracens get nothing from Claremont. Fabulous.
So not irrelevant then?
Most Munsterish ending ever.
Great bonus point, but hard not to look at the early dominance and missed tries and not think of what might have been….
Serious problems with scrums with Munster and Leinster. Couple of injuries and we are both screwed everythime.
Management in both provinces seems to be way off. Ireland had a terrible run of injuries and still managed both performances and results. The IRFU have their work cut out for them.
Scrummaging in Ireland has forever been average to poor.
Couldn’t agree more. It was too early for Foley to be given such a big job. He has to go.
A step too far today, big ask to get a victory next round but that bonus point is the difference between needing a bonus point win or just a win and give Saracens nothing and take 5 off sale last round.
I don’t know why but I just find Keatley seems to show more consistency and nerve in his kicking playing away from home… Sale game, marseille last year and nailed all of them today.. Great bottle shown in the end there. That point will be absolutely crucial!
Couldn’t agree more, I’ve often defended Keatley and when I do I always reference his performances against the big teams away where he really seems to flourish. Just wish he could do it on a consistent basis and he could really develop into a top player.
Had a good game today, made some good line breaks and nerves of steel at the end to nail that kick.
Just not good enough.
It would appear the RFU and French paymasters will get what they want with a French/Anglo duopoly this year barring a massive turnaround. Praying that any of the three provinces make it through. Rugby has taken a step towards soccer monotony with the largest wage bill winning out 99% of the time.
The Sooper Dooper Cup indeed.
Stereotype much?
Footballs Champions League has yet to be retained by any team , Man City the team with the highest wage bill hasn’t come within an asses roar of winning it.
Conway and Jones not good enough. JJ showed what he can do. Better not lose him.
Another defeat. Long trip home for the thousands of disappointed Munster fans. To the brave and faithful nothing is impossible – except beating Clermont either home or away.
We have beaten Clermont at home. TWICE. Get your facts right, Robson.
Robson, Munster lost away to a top class European side a week ago we lost to a average English one.
As a Leinster fan I’d be a little happier in Munster shoes than ours at the minute.
Pity they weren’t playing a piss poor bayonne team in a nothing competition hey knobson. Suppose ur alter ego paul sheehan will be on here supporting you in the minute.
Well done Munster got a point out of nothing injuries really hurt them today!
Well robsonkeane at least the supporters in France are true sporting fans your just a little bitter limerick man who clams to be a Connacth ” fan ” yet I doubt you have ever been to a Connacth game.
You get your rocks off trolling every Munster story with your fellow deluded Waterford buddy.
Eamonn no need drag Connacth into it. Robson is from limerick he’s a Munster man born and breed .
He’s just a bitter little troll
Robson, your clearly not enough into rugby to know the fact that Munster have beaten Clermont at home before,your also clearly a dope who gets his kicks by showing the world just how much of a dope you are…kinda pity you really.
Chris, I think Foley and Matt O Connor seem to have similar game plan that just does not work with any team with a bit of running ability and a reasonably good set piece.
Robson, go play with the traffic.
That’s a good lad
Your from limerick Robson that’s well know on here !
And ya I’ll be at the game I live in Galway. Ya your such a die hard Connacth fan you had time a few weeks ago too troll a Munster thread on here while Munster and Connacth had games on at the same time .
You spoofer robsonkeane!
A Munster fan from Connacht? Go and support your local team pal. I’ll meet you in Oranmore some night in my local.
I live and work in Galway I’m 100% Munster kid.
Next time I’m in keans or the brewery I’ll look out for the lad on his iPhone with the Connacth shirt and limerick accent
Robson is a United fan.
Read the United V Liverpool thread. He is a United fan.
Robson, since when is Manchester United your local team ? Ya tool.
Munster were awful.. Living on past glories for far to long .. No penetration whatsoever.
Just not good enough, flaws were exposed last week and the same mistakes were present again.today. Foley has to go. Great player in his day but he hasn’t got a f***** clue about the management side of the game.
What do you expect when he hired mick o Driscoll as the skills coach !
Is being able to block a jacks considered to be a skill now?????
Why the red thumbs? Either justify the level of performance today with a comment or f**[ off.
Lets put it this way. Do people think Munster have progressed or regressed since last season ?
Ya same mistakes repeat but not a many as last week.
The players out injured is a big problem bar Copland there was no one to bring on.
But Munster are not at the level of the French super teams money talks in the top14 .
Munster and can give them a scare when there at there best but until Irish teams have the funds to bring in top player’s it’s going to be hard going.
it’s way too early to be calling for Foleys head .
Im not calling for his head. I believe he has to be given time. And as you said, trying to compete with these mega rich French clubs is practically impossible. I simply asked the question to gauge opinion.
Keatley was our hero and villain today, his kicking from hand in the first half put us under huge pressure allowing the opposition to run back at us. No more so than before half time that kick should have been in the stand instead quick line out and boom nail in coffin time. Some balls to get the last one though!
I’m not giving up on Munster yet. Great bonus point today against the potential champions. Beat Sarries away and it’s all down to last home game against Sale where we need 4 tries. Read your history books. It’s not impossible.
No need to be ratty, Sean Pol O’Finn. Take your defeat and deal with it. I’m Connacht born and bred. I’ll see you at the match in a few weeks – that’s if you actually go to games like me. Ye will still get out of this group. Saracens are not up to much.
Ah yes, those well known pauper underdogs Real Madrid who have the 2nd highest wage bill in football won it this year Eamon, my bad.
The way pro Football is run is clearly a socialists wet dream that rugby should aspire to.
Come on now lads – you all know more than this. It’s away to Saracens next, so that bonus point was irrelevant. And you all know that you know that. Great game nonetheless.
Its true. Munster have absolutely no history of going to England and winning against the odds…..
Clermont very, very sloppy in both games in terms of letting Munster off the hook. They probably didn’t deserve anything from the game in Thomond, definitely didn’t deserve anything from this game, but Clermont go miles in front, chasing a bonus point win and give Munster a very cheap 10 points.
That losing bonus point could be the difference at the end of the groups. If they didn’t get it they were out, but now still very doable. Beat Saracens away (who are in an awful run of form) and hammer a disinterested Sale at home and I reckon they’re through.
Much better level of rugby in Clermont then the game last night in Lansdowne Rd.
Great result for Connacht yesterday. Please God they can keep the performances coming.