Leinster secured a convincing victory over Munster in a hard-fought interprovincial clash. Despite Munster's valiant effort, Leinster's relentless pressure and superior execution proved decisive.
coach Ian Costello was asked before the match began what characterised his side’s win over Ulster last week he answered, ‘character and fight.’ By then ‘Stand up and Fight’ had not been played in Thomond Park but the message was clear what was needed against In the end, Munster were not without fight but the constant pressure from Leinster sapped energy and amounted to little with Leinster taking four tries to Munster ’s one. And the opening try came too easily.
When Robbie Henshaw threw a forward ball to Tommy O’Brien after six minutes with the line at his mercy, Munster breathed a sigh of relief. But Leinster won the scrum, Sam Prendergast kicked for an attacking lineout and Leinster’s bigger bodies hit the line. After Josh van der Flier and Ryan Baird had bumped up, Luke McGrath picked up the ball with a giant gap opening. The scrumhalf sailed in unopposed for the first score.Stakes high as Connacht welcome Ulster to Galway for crunch interpro But a high-energy Munster were far from winded and took the game to Leinster. When O’Brien was yellow carded at 21 minutes on the Leinster line after Scottish referee Sam Grove-White had spoken to captain Caelan Doris for infringing, Munster chose to tap and run. For a while it looked like Leinster would break as they absorbed pressure before Tadhg Beirne threw himself over the line under the posts. It seemed then a deserved try had fallen Munster’s way, but heroic defending from Garry Ringrose had held the ball up and within seconds Leinster were up in the other half of the field. On 32 minutes hooker Rónan Kelleher did as Munster had done and tapped with the big bodies that were defending their line minutes before pumping towards Munster’s posts.Finally, McGrath whipped the ball out with Prendergast on a scything run inside the 22. With room to spare he ran in and under the posts to convert and make it 0-14. It was not what Munster deserved going in at the break, but their inaccuracy at times had let them dow
Leinster Munster Rugby United Rugby Championship Interpro
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Leinster and Munster off to fliers but Ulster and Ange Postecoglou have weekends to forgetDr Crokes and Errigal Ciarán secure provincial glory; Energumene makes triumphant return to action
Read more »
Ulster, Leinster, Saracens, Saints - Munster have massive weeks aheadJohn Hodnett was one of the best performers in Castres but he’s only looking ahead.
Read more »
Leo Cullen's key demand of Leinster stars in Christmas week before Munster tripLeinster top the URC table after eight straight victories but the 20-12 defeat of Connacht was another patchy display. Several more frontliners are set to join the fray in Limerick, however.
Read more »
Leinster Boost Ahead of Munster Clash as Osborne ReturnsJamie Osborne is back in training for Leinster and available for the upcoming URC match against Munster. Other Leinster players are being assessed for fitness, while Ulster reports injuries to two players and updates on the return of other players.
Read more »
Jamie Osborne Set for Leinster Return Against MunsterJamie Osborne, who has been sidelined since November due to a groin injury, is expected to make a comeback for Leinster's St Stephen's Day clash with Munster.
Read more »
Jordan Larmour and Tommy O'Brien Return for Leinster Clash with MunsterJordan Larmour and Tommy O'Brien are expected to be available for Leinster's match against Munster in the URC on Friday, having missed the previous game as a precaution due to groin and hamstring injuries respectively. Further assessments are required for Max Deegan and Jack Conan.
Read more »