MUNSTER Rugby suffered their seventh defeat in their last eight meetings with arch rivals Leinster in the United Rugby Championship when succumbing on a 26-12 scoreline in their interprovincial derby played out in front of a new record league attendance of 80,468 at Croke Park on Saturday evening.
The concession of four first half tries, including the bonus point score to former Munster second-row RG Snyman, left the 2023 URC champions facing a 21-point interval deficit and with that a mountain to climb in the second half of a bruising contest.
The combination of poor defending, a lack of accuracy at crucial stages and a struggling line-out contributed to Munster’s downfall in this record-breaking derby clash as Leinster brought a greater composure and efficiency in attack. Munster’s prospects were further hindered by an unfortunate series of injuries suffered by the visitors in that opening half.
This was Munster’s second defeat in four URC fixtures this season, their previous reverse coming away to Zebre.
The concession of those four first half tries meant that Munster have now conceded 15 tries in their opening four League fixtures this season.
Munster’s only win in their last eight matches against their local rivals was by a solitary point at Aviva Stadium in the 2023 URC semi-final.
A smarting Munster side must dust themselves down quickly as the squad embarks on a two-match URC tour of South Africa on Monday. The fixture schedule begins with a date against the DHL Stormers at DHL Stadium on Saturday next
As one might expect the opening to the big interprovincaial derby was frenetic. Out-half Ciarán Frawley was stopped short of the line initially.
Scrum-half Gibson-Park flighted a beautifully-timed pass out for winger James Lowe to step over the line and dot down.
Frawley duly landed the conversion for 7-0.
The whirlwind start by the home side continued for the home side as they added three tries in the opening 15 minutes to build a substantial 21-0 lead.
Leinster’s second try came in the 11th minute when winger Liam Turner showed good pace out wide before being eventually hauled down with the visitors penalised at the breakdown. James Lowe took a quick tap and go and the ball was recycled to Josh van der Flier who assist=ed fellow back-row Caelan Doris in smashing his way over the try-line.
The try was awarded after a consultation with the TMO who checked on a possible knock-ln in the lead-up to the score.
Frawley’s conversion made it 14-0. Leinster increased their lead further four minutes later when full-back Hugo Keenan scooted over under the posts with Frawley again adding the extras.
A shell-shocked Munster badly needed a score to get a foothold in the contest. However, Jack Crowley’s long range penalty attempt collided with the crossbar before being cleared to safety.
Munster thought they had opened their account in the 24th minute after winger Calvin Nash goes over after a wide pass from Nankivell.
However, the match referee ruled that the pass was forward after the touch judge intervened.
Munster badly needed a score given the pressure they exerted during the second quarter. The visitors endeavour was duly rewarded when forcing their way over. From a line-out deep inside the Leinster ’22, Jean Kleyn won clean possession and popped the ball off to Gavin Coombes.
The number eight showed soft hands to link up with winger Sean O’Brien who powered his way over from close range.
Munster needed every point they could muster, but Crowley was off target with the conversion attempt.
To rub salt into Munster’s first half wounds, their former second-row RG Snyman notched their bonus point try at the end of the half when powering his way over from close range.
The score helped the home side into a significant 26-5 interval lead.
There was plenty of industry and endeavour from both sides in the third quarter, but neither side succeeded in adding to their points tally.
Munster did manage a second try in the 65th minute when the excellent Mike Haley seized on Coombes’ neatly-placed grubber kick to score, following an excellent initial break from replacement scrum-half Conor Murray.
It was good reward for Haley who was one of Munster’s best performers on the night.
Munster fought valiantly in a bid to reduce the deficit further, but Leinster managed to contain their opponents, before closing out a convincing victory. The visitors good work was undone by their high error count as they continued to chase the game.
SCORERS: Leinster: James Lowe, Caelan Doris, Hugo Keenan, RG Snyman try, Ciarán Frawley three cons. Munster Rugby: Sean O’Brien, Mike Haley try each, Jack Crowley con
LEINSTER: Hugo Keenan, Liam Turner, Garry Ringrose, Jamie Osborne, James Lowe, Ciarán Frawley, Jamison Gibson-Park, Andrew Porter, Lee Barron, Tadhg Furlong, RG Snyman, James Ryan, Jack Conan, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris (Capt). Replacements: Max Deegan for Conan (18 mins), Gus McCarthy for Barron (half-time), Ryan Baird for Snyman (49 mins), Thomas Clarkson for Baird (51 mins), Shay McCarthy for O’Brien (61 mins), Cian Healy for Furlong (65 mins), Ross Byrne for Turner, Luke McGrath for Gibson-Park (both 69 mins), Harry Byrne for Lowe (76 mins).
MUNSTER RUGBY: Mike Haley, Calvin Nash, Tom Farrell, Alex Nankivell, Seán O’Brien, Jack Crowley, Craig Casey, Jeremy Loughman, Niall Scannell, Stephen Archer, Jean Kleyn, Tadhg Beirne (Capt), Jack O’Donoghue, John Hodnett, Gavin Coombes. Replacements: Diarmuid Barron for Scannell (8-18 mins), John Ryan for Loughman (12 mins and 52 mins), Kieran Ryan for Barron (16 mins) and for Ryan (75 mins), Tom Ahern for Kleyn (50 mins), Ruadhán Quinn for Coombes (55 mins), Coombes for Hodnett (59-70 mins), Conor Murray for Casey (60 mins), Shay McCarthy for O’Brien (62 mins), Tony Butler for Farrell (75 mins).
REFEREE: Chris Busby (IRFU)
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