Evenly balanced game was high on competitiveness if a little low on quality
In admittedly difficult conditions, there was far too much kicking, much of it aimless, and in Munster’s case especially, too many handling errors in a game not memorable for its skill levels.
The capricious wind made conditions tricky, not least for the hooker at lineout time. Even Peter O’Mahony couldn’t hold on to one Diarmuid Barron throw and when the Munster captain uncharacteristically also knocked on, this gave Connacht an attacking scrum. There were flashes of inspiration from each side, Rory Scannell freeing his arms for John Hodnett to link with Antoine Frisch, who had some nice touches in a promising URC debut which drew favour from the home crowd.
Munster went to the corner a second time after being denied in both corners, Barron hitting Beirne before a sustained drive ended with Roman Salanoa scoring. Again, Carbery couldn’t land the touchline conversion and after going to the corner again, fittingly the half ended in another handling error when the drive was held up and Scannell spilled, leaving it 10-10 at the break.
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