As always, we’d love to hear your thoughts on the game. E-mail will@the42.ie, tweet @Rugby_ie, post a message to our Facebook wall, or leave a comment below.
You may need to refresh the page for YouTube videos and other elements to display correctly.
Hello friends, and welcome to The42′s liveblog of Munster v Ospreys.
Last night’s semi-final between Glasgow and Ulster was a bit of a screamer, and today’s is going to be even better.
Here is how the two teams will line out.
Munster: 15 Felix Jones, 14 Keith Earls, 13 Andrew Smith, 12 Denis Hurley (c), 11 Simon Zebo, 10 Ian Keatley, 9 Conor Murray, 8 CJ Stander, 7 Paddy Butler, 6 Peter O’Mahony (c), 5 Paul O’Connell, 4 Donnacha Ryan, 3 Stephen Archer, 2 Eusebio Guinazu, 1 David Kilcoyne.
Replacements: 16 Duncan Casey, 17 John Ryan, 18 BJ Botha, 19 Billy Holland, 20 Jack O’Donoghue, 21 Duncan Williams, 22 JJ Hanrahan, 23 Ronan O’Mahony.
Ospreys: 15 Dan Evans, 14 Jeff Hassler, 13 Ben John, 12 Josh Matavesi, 11 Eli Walker, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Rhys Webb, 8 Dan Baker, 7 Justin Tipuric, 6 Dan Lydiate, 5 Alun Wyn Jones (c), 4 Tyler Ardron, 3 Dmitri Arhip, 2 Scott Baldwin, 1 Nicky Smith.
Replacements: 16 Sam Parry, 17 Marc Thomas, 18 Aaron Jarvis, 19 Rory Thornton, 20 James King, 21 Tom Habberfield, 22 Sam Davies, 23 Jonathan Spratt.
It is worth remembering that the Ospreys turned Munster over in Limerick at the start of the year and have a history of upsetting Irish teams.
Still, Munster are five-point favourites and seem to be peaking at the right time.
Munster actually played – and beat – the Ospreys in a Pro12 semi-final back in 2011. Anyone remember Danny Barnes?
During the Six Nations, Johnny Sexton and Conor Murray got lots of kudos for being the premier northern hemisphere half-back pairing, but Dan Biggar and Rhys Webb are playing similarly excellent recently.
Webb’s cheeky try against Glasgow a few weeks ago was a particular highlight.
Every time Alun Wyn Jones faces Paul O’Connell, the earth shakes. Jones seems to be Paulie’s natural successor in terms of quality northern hemisphere second rows.
Munster have been on a roll at home since being slapped by the Ospreys back in September.
Follow The42′s Murray Kinsella for some great insight from Thomond Park.
On an unrelated note, Cian Healy’s max bench press is 190kg and his max squat is 300kg!
Still a good few empty seats in the upper tier at Thomond, which is disappointing.
Ospreys build some early pressure right on the outskirts of the Munster 22 but it ends with Dan Biggar steering a drop goal just wide.
Close from the Ospreys! Biggar’s pass almost finds hooker Scott Baldwin but the ball bounces into touch 5m out.
It has been all Ospreys at the moment. They are in possession AGAIN outside the 22.
Eli Walker manufactures a few yards on the left wing but Conor Murray hauls him down a metre short of the line. Centres Josh Matevesi and Ben John both did excellently to keep the ball alive in the build-up. Munster escape by forcing a turnover penalty on their own try-line.
Dave Kilcoyne did his best Cian Healy impression there, barrelling his way into the Ospreys 22. After a few more strong carries from the pack, Stephen Archer almost muscled over in the left-hand corner but drooped the ball. Great response from the home side.
He is a homebird, is Dan!
Munster get penalised on halfway for hands in the ruck and the Ospreys have a lineout on the Munster 22.
And now another penalty in the shadow of the Munster posts will allow Biggar to put the Ospreys in front. They deserve their lead too.
Munster 0-3 Ospreys
Biggar makes no mistake and the visitors have finally made their pressure tell.
Baldwin is penalised for a high tackle on Stephen Archer and Munster should level the match now.
Munster win a scrum penalty on halfway and now have a lineout just inside the Ospreys 22.
Ospreys collapse the Munster maul and the home side have a very kickable penalty. Also, Munster assistant coach Mick O’Driscoll says Conor Murray might be out for a couple of weeks.
Munster 6-3 Ospreys
The visitors have played a bit more rugby but Munster have absorbed the pressure well.
Oh no! Keatley tries a reverse kick but it does not go well. Ospreys have a lineout inside the Munster half after the out-half’s kick goes out on the full.
Rhys Webb makes a dart in the Munster 22 but throws an errant pass that Paddy Butler reels in. Keatley then finds touch outside his 22.
Ospreys fullback Dan Evans makes a lovely arching run across the pitch but his pop pass is fumbled by Alun Wyn Jones on halfway.
After ten phases, CJ Stander carries a little too high and the Ospreys strip the ball.
Massive mistake by Dan Biggar! Ospreys win a penalty but the out-half kicks the ball dead as he tries to milk a few extra yards for the lineout.
Rhys Webb is pinged for obstruction on his own 10m line and Munster can extend their lead just before half time.
The kicking has been shocking in the last few minutes. Dan Evans has just lazily lumped a left-footer dead. Poor end to the half. The game has petered out a bit in the last 10 minutes.
TRY! Munster 11-3 Ospreys
Ian Keatley throws a delicious offload inside to Stander, who combines with Paddy Butler to send Zebo over. Great try!
HT Munster 11-3 Ospreys
Keatley misses the conversion but Munster just hit the Ospreys with a hammer!
Just to describe the try a bit more:
Ian Keatley took the ball off the scrum and ducked back inside. He was tackled but freed his hands and found Stander with an offload. Stander motored for about 15m before feeding Butler, who generously allowed Zebo to run the ball into the corner.
Zebo celebrated with the classic Bebeto ‘baby’ celebration. He became a father last week.
Lydiate is off, and is now icing his shoulder on the bench. He tallied ten chop tackles in the first half!
TRY! Munster 16-3 Ospreys
The Munster pack piled into the Ospreys 22 and then Keatley found Denis Hurley out wide, who showed great skill to get past Eli Walker and Dan Evans to score. A superb finish.
Another poor Keatley kick misses the mark, but Munster are in total control now with a 13-point lead. Game over?
So POM and Murray have both gone off injured. Joe Schmidt probably looks like the monkey-covering-his-eyes emoji right about now.
TRY! Munster 16-8 Ospreys
My lord, Rhys Webb is such a thief! CJ Stander picked off the back of the scrum 40m out and threw the ball straight into Webb’s hands, who sauntered home. Great awareness by the scrum-half but very poor from Stander.
TRY! Munster 21-8 Ospreys
What a response from Munster! Kilcoyne carries strongly near the line and two phases later, Paddy Butler barges over. The openside has been one of Munster’s best performers today. Also, Stander started it all with a big carry to move into the opposition half.
That ridiculous Stander pass aside, Munster have been very comfortable from about ten minutes on.
TRY! Munster 21-15 Ospreys
What a finish from Jeff Hassler! The wing picks up a loose ball on halfway and dances around Stander and BJ Botha before holding off Simon Zebo to score under the posts.
And now Keatley kicks out on the full! The out-half has had a nightmare with the boot.
Eli Walker carries high in the Munster half – easy work for Donnacha Ryan and Paulie. Scrum to Munster.
A lot of people on Twitter want JJ Hanrahan on for Ian Keatley. The place-kicks are becoming a big problem.
Another poor kick from Dan Evans rolls over the try-line. The players need to stop using the boot today, it really isn’t working for anyone.
Hassler makes another big carry into the Munster 22 before Keatley stops him. Just when it looks like a try is coming, Butler forces a big, big turnover and the home side clears.
Josh Matevesi cuts a scintillating line that sees him glide through the Munster defence but his try-scoring pass is batted back by a Munster hand and turned over. The Ospreys are gunning for that go-ahead try at the moment.
Ospreys win a penalty in front of the posts after Munster go off their feet. Looks like Biggar will go for the posts.
Simon Zebo is currently receiving attention. Looks like it might be a concussion.
Munster 21-18 Ospreys
Biggar finally gets us started again by slotting the straightforward penalty.
Baldwin is pinged for holding on in his own 22 and Munster will have a chance to extend their lead to six. Can Keatley make it though?
Munster win a scrum penalty on the Ospreys 10m line in front of the posts. Hanrahan will step up now.
Ronan O’Mahony almost sneaks over in the left corner but his grubber dribbles into touch.
Munster win another penalty in the Ospreys 22 but opt for the corner this time. Wonder why…
But now Ospreys win a turnover penalty! They have a lineout on their own 10m line now. A penalty for extra-time, a try for the win.
TMO time! Ospreys score a try through Josh Matevesi but it looks like Rhys Webb knocked on in the build-up.
Bit of perspective is always important, both finals lost by the finest of margins. If it was a hammering it would be different. A much improved display by Leinster for 20 or so minutes here but ran out of steam way too early and seemed resigned to kicking at every opportunity to relieve pressure for a microsecond. Even still it was a moment of madness on the LAR line that cost a likely try to take the win. I get people want to put the boot in because they’re disappointed or just dislike Leinster, that’s inevitable and I see people asking how do you come back from that and the answer is simple, the same way we came back from last year’s defeat, learn from what happened and go again with hopefully that extra 1% we missed on Saturday to get over the line.
@PJ Smith: well said pj
@PJ Smith: “If it was a hammering it would be different.”
Unfortunetly the reality was it was a one point hammering.
It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a top quality outfit like Leinster so completely dominated in a half of rugby.
The only positive point was that if it was most other teams they would have been trounced.
@Stanley Marsh: I agree to a degree and yes they were dominant in the second half but that didn’t translate into a hammering on the scoreboard which was in part due to some great defensive stands by Leinster even if it was clinging on for dear life. At the end of it all it was a single point and a moment of madness that seemed to decide it all, potentially at least. It feels like a mental issue to me, similar to what Ireland struggled with for a long time but seem to have been successful in addressing recently. That needs to be brought back into the Leinster environment now.
@PJ Smith: Have to give enormous credit to LR though. To come to Leintster’s backyard, get the start they did and still come back and win is incredible.
What I wouldn’t give to see a one off between them and the Super Champs.
@PJ Smith: fair points but when you consider they made an absolute dream start, if they played that game 10 more times they’d not go 17-0 up. But you feel if they played it 10 more times what happened from minutes 12 to 80 would pan out pretty similar. Also, there squad is clearly lacking when two lads were still on the bench at 78 mins.
@Ciaran Kennedy: I don’t see the point in hypotheticals to be honest as it’s impossible to know, they had no dream start last year but the result was similarly close. I do believe Leinster have it in them to beat LAR, they’ve come too close on the biggest stage for it to be a fluke. We have depth, maybe not Champions Cup final depth but I think maybe McGrath should have come in earlier in hindsight but I’d bet the plan always was for Ross to play near the full 80 which I would have had no issue with, he’s being scapegoated by some but there were a few other key moments that defined things, not him. Losing Ryan turned out to be huge and could have been the difference but again too many variables to ever be able to know. Feels like the great start led them to exhale early if that makes sense
@Stanley Marsh: Oh absolutely, that’s fairytale stuff really and up there with Leinster’s miracle resurrection against Northampton. They’re deserved winners and will take some beating given their physicality.
@Stanley Marsh: there is no such thing as a ‘one point hammering’. It makes no sense.
@Aisling Farrell: Sport is littered with ‘one point hammerings’.
Google it.
Saturday will go down as one of the best examples of it.
@PJ Smith: 3 seasons in a row come second half leinster decided to kick away the ball every time they got it and the same result, we lost every time. Kicking the ball away and not competing in the air at lineout time allowing them to use their greatest weapon, the maul was just dreadful coaching. Will Skelton was their primary lineout jumper and we could not challenge even him in the air
@chris mcdonnell: Agree with everything here, poor kicking in the second half was the primary issue in my view as well. The logic behind not competing is obvious, they were putting everything into trying to stop the maul but it didn’t work yet we didn’t adapt so again, agree with you there. It’s like we keep retreating into our shell in finals for some reason.
@PJ Smith: that logic is flawed, allowing a team to set up their maul without any pressure on the throw or catcher is daft. We needed to stop the setup of the maul in the first place. Once Skelton landed that platform was also going to be impossible to stop.
As a Munster supporter I must say the first 20 minutes was one of the greatest exhibitions I have ever seen. But I thought the game turned when James Ryan left the pitch. The self-confidence started to drain. And let’s face it, Ireland and provincial teams have real trouble with bigger teams. Lessons to be learned.
@Noel Walsh: Was reminiscent of the open half against the French, frantic pace.
Yer winning nothing with Byrne at 10 lads, need bring in someone next year experienced out half to move that stellar pack around the field, then fast-track Sam Prendergast who has immense potential
@Joseph O Reilly: so true. Johnny would have brought them over the line. He’s been carrying half that back line for over a decade
@Joseph O Reilly: Not interested in scapegoating and discarding players thanks.
@PJ Smith: it’s not a scapegoat when ur 10 goes missing in the final ten minutes and doesn’t back hi self to make a penalty or a drop goal, these are the margins in finals between winning and losing, it’s a glaring problem, a great team with a sub par out half has cost them big this year
@Joseph O Reilly: I’m no advocate of Ross Bryne but by God will people stop blaming him for not taking the drop goal attempt. Leinster were in the corner of the pitch so the drop was not on. If ye hadn’t conceded a penalty maybe Byrne would have gone for the drop goal when the ball was more central. If he had gone for it from the angle and missed he would have been criticised for not having patience. There was alot more wrong besides Byrne and no one mentioning it. Porter inhiialated in scrum. Baird should have started 6 and Doris 8 with Conan on for last 30 to make impact. Also Lowe and JGP kicks killed ye
@Graham Ahern: Two passes wud have got it to a drop goal position, missing two conversions also didn’t help forgot to mention those
@Joseph O Reilly: he also wen to the corner with no recognized hooker on the pitch with kelleher and Sheehan both off!!!
@Joseph O Reilly: Need an outhalf who can control match.Also prop back up positions very weak.Felt no great chance when Ryan went off,best forward this year,Jenkins not much good,no loss when he left Munster.If playing, Doris only effective at 8,but needs to stop giving away stupid penalties, if Stephen Archer can so can he.
@Joseph O Reilly: Lad he is not the captain so he doesn’t decide if they go posts or corner, have you forgotten James Ryan being crucified for a similar situation or are you going to tell me he’s a kicker now? We secured the lineout, we were camped on their line in a position we score from more often than not only for a dumb penalty to stop things. Drop goals ain’t gimmes, arguably the far more risky play. Face facts, you just want to have a go at Byrne
@Graham Ahern: I agree with a lot of what you said but Conan was the brightest light for those 20 mins at the start. Without him there’s no guarantee we even get that lead.
@PJ Smith: I really don’t, I just don’t rate him. With sexton on the field that is arguably the best club side maybe in history, without him well you know…
@Joseph O Reilly: Johnny played in the final last year and fared no better. But each to their own
@PJ Smith: yeah Conan was brilliant in fairness. But Doris is one of the best 8s in Europe. Its OK to start with a great player on bench. Actually while on that topic I think there’s another issue leinster have . Been saying for years converting Porter to LH was a big mistake and the result was furlong played too many 80 min games for ireland and leinster. This was done to get all the best players on the pitch. Furlong is now goosed and has lost his power. Thank god we have bealham fir ireland. I said it last week that your front row would be in trouble. The only way to stop leinster is to stop the v structured and not so obvious to the naked eye attack. Dummy runners continue through the attack line taking out defence.
@Joseph O Reilly: ye had to keep the ball tight. You’re only gonna get one pass from ruck to the OH before being hit. LR played a high defence line which let’s be honest doesn’t suit leinster especially with byrnevat oh. No running threat which makes it easy to defend. Sexton takes the ball flat and will punish a high defence with a dink over top. Byrne doesn’t do that. I felt for ye but that’s sport. I actually think this leinster team have hit their ceiling. Too much focus on conveyor belt. Not enough focus on match hardened fighters willing to go to hell to win the fight. Ye need a hard man in the pack. Someone to start a scrap. A quinny or Trevor brennan type
Totally agree very disappointed but not devastated
Total pride in what Leinster and Ireland rugby have done and continue too
To be in 3 finals is amazing
I think all of our starting players are eligible for Ireland
9 for la Rochelle
We hit the post twice
Losing our captain and Tadgh
We still created the opportunity to win
Nothing magical about them
We basically had their measure physically and we’re smarter. Just a lot if simple errors all fixable
I am glad Leinster no longer need the creation of chips on shoulders to perform
We are confident adults great to see in the Irish psyche
Rog for Ireland rubbish he can’t buy in to win and I don’t want to return to needing to have a chip on either shoulder to function
@Fred Matthews: You weren’t smarter than them. Territory and possession stats indicate that you didn’t dominate them either; tackle count says the same c200 v c90.
Leinster were super in the first 15-20 minutes but bit by bit LAR clawed their way back into the game.
Worryingly for Ireland the pressure seemed to get to Lowe and JGP with both slicing clearances and Lowe overcooking one.
Yet if RB had scored either of the 2 conversions he missed (inches from going over) the celebrations would have been in the Leinster camp. Very fine margins indeed.
@TL55:
I agree to disagree
I also never go to blaming ref
We win on the basis that ref does what he does
Rog on winning couldn’t resist a dig at ref
As I said we lost because we didn’t control situation when we got in scoring range
Fixable
@Fred Matthews: in fairness, it’s not often you see a totally dominant pack get so little reward from the ref. A yellow should have come out much earlier.
@Fred Matthews: didnt sexton have an actual go at the ref after the game?
@TL55: It doesn’t work like that. The conversions go over and it’s a completely different game, LAR make different choices knowing they needed something different and we have no idea how it plays out. They could go for the corner instead of taking penalties and end up winning by more. People need to stop acting like changing moments in a game has no impact on anything but a single aspect of the scoresheet, it’s illogical. Fine margins for sure though.
@farts: wasn’t it half time in the tunnel he had a go at the ref?
Fine margins between defeat and winning, Leinster will now have to look at their game plan and reinvent a new one it is in the five yards to the line in games they stall and give the penalty to the opposition. You see this in are national team which is worrying their must be a fix.as other teams now know this as a weakness. Time to put a plan together before World Cup I hope.enough of doom and gloom come on Munster
@Phillip Keohane: those ruck attacks off scrums in the second half by LR were immense (off 1st and 2nd phase Irish ball) The ability to completely strangle/slow down Irish quick ball with their big men was a blue print for getting on top of leinster (Ireland). All other teams now take note..
1. Is farrell a far superior coach to leo cullen
2. Is johhny sexton the difference between leinster being unbeatable or just average
3. Does peter o’mahony bring something different to the pack especially at lineout time.
4. Does Doris at 8 make a huge difference.
Theses seem to be the only differences between ireland and leinster.
@ger clarke: Tadgh Beirne too. Him and POM are real momentum shifters when you’re under the cosh. Maybe they are right and Leinster steam rolling the league is really bad for them in big games
@Ciaran Kennedy: most definitely, forgot about Beirne, and Aki could be included as well.
@ger clarke: POM brings leadership in the pack. Beirne can shift momentum with incredible turnovers. Two key factors that we’re missing for Leinster, particularly in the second half. I wouldn’t write off Ireland based on this final – a lot of the same players but missing a lot of skill and wisdom in both coaches and other Irish players.
@ger clarke: Tadgh Beirne adds to Ireland’s pack also. Both he and POM are leaders within the squad. The years of experience they have is vital for Ireland. Also Mack Hansen is a huge addition to our back line.
Leinster weren’t able to start Sexton, lost Ryan after 30 minutes and Furlong who wasn’t fully fit had to go off early also. 3 massive losses but still came within a whisker of winning. Very disappointing but sometimes the gods are just against you.
Keep knocking on the door and you’ll eventually knock it down. Munster lost lots of finals & semi before winning in 2006. No reason why this Leinster squad can’t match that.
“They just have to keep believing in themselves”
Surely they’re questioning their belief in Cullen
@mickey mac: Why is it when Leinster win all the praise goes to Lancaster and Leo is painted as a figurehead but when they lose people now call for Leo’s head? The mob is so fickle
In fairness, a little perspective is needed….a gust of wind blowing one of those conversions a couple of inches, and everyone would be rejoicing like it was the wedding at Cana… but with heinos instead of water/wine.
For Cullen to say they were two completely different finals, clearly shows how wrong he got it and clearly hasn’t learned
@mickey mac: 100% There’s a sense of bluffery about what he says.
Probably sold out of chokers at BTs so now it’s time for a new plan. Maybe there’s a few more Kiwis they can bring in?
@FoxyBoiiYT: schaddenfraude is a poor trait and reveals a lot about you – not good enough on the day. Better team won. They are an excellent team. Well deserved. Just need Munster to win now
@Simon Kerins: We listened to ye slag us about losing and having too many Saffas for years so shoes on other foot
@FoxyBoiiYT: Only the a&€holes we’re doing that. I’d prefer we didn’t copy them