EDINBURGH 17
MUNSTER 38
MUNSTER’S NEW-FOUND wave of confidence was put to the test but they still managed to come back from a nightmare start to claim all five points and move back into a play-off spot in the United Rugby Championship.
A supercharged 24-point second half without reply showed them hitting form at the right time.
They will know, however, that Toulouse in the Champions Cup next week are unlikely to be as generous if they were gifted a similar early lead but the rest of the game must have done wonders for their growing self-belief.
They had been warning in the week building up to the game that Edinburgh, with all their Scotland internationals back in action, were a huge threat. The home side seemed determined to prove the point, demonstrating their potential pretty much from the kick off.
The game was only about 90 seconds old when Luke Crosbie, the Edinburgh flanker, found space to step out of a tackle in midfield and find centre teammate Chris Dean in support, to run in for an easy try.
Munster were soon even more up against the odds when Joey Carbery’s attempt to get the ball wide to the attacking threat of Simon Zebo was picked off by home flyer Darcy Graham. There was no catching him on a 60 metre dash to the line.
It had been a dozy opening for the Irish but the setback seemed to wake them up. The line out was providing a string of steals and the scrum, with John Ryan playing his 200th game at prop, was also looking strong.
They won a series of penalties to move to within maul range of the Scots line. Though the drive was held and split, Craig Casey spotted the confusion in the home defence and nipped in for his side’s opening score.
The Scots were still a threat, however and after Viliame Mata had made the initial thrust, they found space on the wing for Scotland Test captain Jamie Ritchie to squeeze over.
Crucially, Blair Kinghorn missed both conversions, leaving Munster only 10 points behind and that was as bad as it was to get.
That deficit was cut to three by the break as Carbery made amends for his earlier error with a sublime offload to Rory Scannell, the centre, for a simple try and with the fly half converting both scores, they were back in the game.
No sooner had they returned to the field than they were ahead, Carberry again the instigator and this time it was Calvin Nash, the wing, who popped up on his shoulder to take the scoring pass. With Carbery continuing his perfect kicking record, they were suddenly up by four.
That seemed to suck the life out of the home side and Munster soon had the bonus point to add to their bag as Gavin Coombes, the No8, forced his way over from five metres out after another spell on the home line.
By now the Irish forwards were in complete control, dominating possession and territory to gift the backs plenty of space to work their tricks, though Edinburgh were able to keep them to a single penalty until the dying seconds.
With the result long since settled, Carbery found his way over after another period of pressure and that was that.
It was far from perfect but in many ways all the better for that as Munster’s character and confidence were put to the test and came through with flying colours.
Edinburgh: Tries: Chris Dean, Darcy Graham, Jamie Ritchie. Conversions: Blair Kinghorn [1 from 3]
Munster: Tries: Craig Casey, Rory Scannell, Calvin Nash, Joey Carbery (81). Conversions: Joey Carbery [5 from 5]. Penalty: Joey Carbery [1 from 1]
Edinburgh: Wes Goosen; Darcy Graham (Jaco van der Walt, 27’), Mark Bennett, Chris Dean (James Lang, 44), Duhan van der Merwe; Blair Kinghorn, Ben Vellacott; Pierre Schoeman (Boan Venter, 41’), Patrick Harrison (Tom Cruse, 49), Luan de Bruin (WP Nel, 41’), Jamie Hodgson (Marshall Sykes, 55), Grant Gilchrist (C), Jamie Ritchie (Nick Haining, 73), Luke Crosbie, Viliame Mata.
Munster: Shane Daly; Calvin Nash, Antoine Frisch, Rory Scannell (Jack Crowley, 57), Simon Zebo (Patrick Campbell, 46), Joey Carbery, Craig Casey (Paddy Patterson, 51); Jeremy Loughman (Josh Wycherley, 66), Niall Scannell (Diarmuid Barron, 50), John Ryan (Roman Salanoa, 67), Jean Kleyn, Tadhg Beirne, Peter O’Mahony (C) (Jack O’Donoghue, 64), John Hodnett, Gavin Coombes (Alex Kendellen, 58).
Referee: Mathieu Raynal [FFR]
One of those perfect nights from a coaches point of view, good result, good performances from key players, BP in the bag and no point for Edinburgh and still plenty to work on come Monday. I thought Joey went very well after a slow start and Beirne had his usual top game. Frisch looks tasty at 13 and both scrumhalves were excellent. It’s amazing how ireland continue to look for locks and try to mould guys into second rows with power and the ability to win collisions consistently and heres Kleyn doing it every week. One of the most underrated players in the country.
@Jim Demps: it’s bizarre how he was never given a shot. A big physical man with a huge workrate & doesn’t give away any dumb pens
@Jim Demps: Disagree. Kleyn is a million miles off being Ireland standard the way we play now. Good week in week out player but that’s it. Was v happy for Munster this evening though. (Leinster fan)
@Jim Demps: I hope now Jim you see the error in your ways to have consistently come out to bat for Johann van Gran. Some decent coaching starting to bear fruits already in my opinion.
@brian waldron: in what way? He’s a good lineout forward, terrific scrummager and a fierce hard worker. What else do you think an Irish 2nd row should be doing?
@Tim Magner: consistency. He hasn’t got it. Gainline. Skill set to catch pass and jackal. Don’t agree his line out is as good as you say. And as for a hard worker that’s a bare minimum not an extra.
@Jim Demps:
Totally agree Jim on Klyen he is exactly what all of the big successful teams have Larochelle beat Leinster with Skelton more or less single handed. What did Leinster do as a reaction bought Jenkins from Munster. Klyen should be in the Irish squad for one simple reason he is a better player than both Ryan and Henderson and is a proper Lock.
When Itoje goes well Sarries destroy most teams
@brian waldron: he’s been consistently consistent for years. When does Ryan ever win a gainline on the carry? Kleyn is bigger and more powerful. Jackel?? I don’t think that’s a prerequisite for a th lock. Ryan’s best attribute is that he’s a good defensive lineout player but a worse overall rugby player than beirne
@brian waldron: rubbish, when was the last time you saw James Ryan jackaling, like Kleyn he does the donk work.
@Bgkph: Rubbish, one game against an average team doesn’t justify anything !
@Jim Demps: new tact this season Jim? Rather than undermine Leinster players, you are overselling Munster players?
@brian waldron: understand!
@Tim Magner: Unfortunately he’s miles off the three main guys – Ryan, Beirne and Henderson. He’s a good club player and will do a job, but not a great rugby brain. He’s a grunt man, unlike the other three. That’s just not good enough in this Irish team. Ireland wants ballers not bruisers.
@Tim Magner: who mentioned Ryan???
@Paddy Ryan: ffs lads Kleyn is grand but now one good game and he’s Ireland. Laughable really.
@brian waldron: we are talking about th locks yea?
@amusing_musings: I can see how beirne is a baller, a gifted player, and of the 3 henderson is the best ball carrier. Bar a very good defensive lineout, in what way does Ryan ‘ball’?
@Tim Magner: drop your kleyn for Ireland. You’re a lost cause.
@Tim Magner: tight heads locks?
beirne’s a great player, world class 6, out of position in 2nd row. Definitely not a tight side. Fair enough if you don’t like Ryan, but he does all the things Beirne can’t do.
Love Beirne, want him at 6 for Ireland.
@brian waldron: I’m only wondering why he didn’t get a shot? I’m not saying he’s better than the other 3 but he has done at least as much as treadwell and more than Mccarthy. If the Ireland coaches don’t like him then that’s fair enough
@James Hughes: beirne has made his career as mainly a 2nd row, he has been the best 2nd row in Ireland for a few years now. I’m not sure what games he’s played at 6 to be called worldclass there. I’m sure if he played there he’d be class, for me he’s one of the best back 5 forwards in the world, I think that’s unquestionable
@brian waldron: 100% agree
@Bgkph: Better than Ryan & Henderson? What hahahaha
@Tim Magner: he’s a complete player. Obviously if you’re only looking for the highlight reel you’ll miss his worth, a lot of armchair supporters do, but those with a bit of knowledge know that he’s doing just as much as beirne and Henderson in there and that he’s way more valuable than the likes of Klein. Just try and look beyond the obvious Tim. It’s a complicated sport. You’ll enjoy it a lot more if you actually understand the nuances. Try to ignore the raised voices of the commentators, and the frenzied cheer of the fans – they’re really just clickbait. Proper rugby people don’t get suckered in by that. And you’ll get there, eventually.
@h: one good game? Give over.
Kleyn has been superb all season.
He’s a better 18 months at provincial level than James Ryan.
Frisch looks like what munster have been missing
Excellent second half, we’re growing, slowly
Lovely game to watch and hats off to Munster who were mega impressive.
Good to have them back to top form and excellent pace and power
If France are wanting to Frisch back then A.F get him a cap asap. He’s been fantastic for Munster this year so far. Like another playmaker on the field
@whoowhat?: he’s a class act. He’s a real playmaker and he’s literally everywhere
@whoowhat?: He’s slippery, seems to make that extra gain in tackles that allows a silky offload. Best move was the only play Crowley had from 10 late in the game, attacking the line and forcing the defence to step back, ends with a superb break from Frisch, unlucky to float the pass forward. Don’t think Edinburgh saw the ball in that second half. 6N he may see some minutes, against France for the craic :)
Great result and good to see munster getting back to some form…
Fantastic win very well played
Landmark victory
First quarter was worried this was going to be an Edinburgh game. Munster came back and won well. Five points too. Hopefully this will put them above Edinburgh in the table!
Great away win, certainly making progress.
POM worryingly quiet again. Munster are a different team with Tadhg Beirne playing, he’s immense and should be given the captaincy. He leads by example.
Nash was the standout back, himself and Daly always looked threatening. Frisch will be box office, once he settles. Patterson excellent again.
@Daithí O’ Donnabhain: pom destroyed their lineout
@Tim Magner: I think the Edinburgh hooker destroyed their line-out. Mind you none of the hookers were too hot at line-out time.
Great win, good performance.
Squad depth crucial. Pack were immense
That first half showed the weaknesses still exist. Cut open too many times. Good finish though. Dower atmosphere overall!!
@Thomas Meaney: were you at it
@Thomas Meaney: eat my shorts
@Paddy Waggon: didn’t need to be. Was too obvious.
@Ger Lyons: nom nom!!
@Thomas Meaney: Scots went very quiet after Munster got the second try & near silent when we took the lead. I reckon they were watching in disbelief after that.
However we won’t get away with that type of start against the top teams.
Knashers
Can we convince comments to people with a triple digit IQ?
Knasher