Munster left flying the flag
Unfortunately for Ulster and especially Leinster it was a case of the nightmare revisited.
If a fourth successive defeat in their pool confirmed Ulster’s exit from the tournament, Leinster’s abject display against an inspired Edinburgh side all but ensures that Michael Cheika’s charges are also out of the running for qualification with two games to play.
As has happened so often in the past, Munster remain as the standard bearers for Irish rugby in this tournament. Wasps’ dramatic one-point victory over Clermont Auvergne, in one of the most entertaining fixtures in the history of the great tournament, confirms this incredibly competitive pool will go down to the wire.
The sensational injury-time try by Emmanuel Etien for Clermont secured an all-important losing bonus point which could prove crucial in January. It means that Munster, as a minimum, will have to match that feat when they travel for the away leg to Clermont.
If anything the result at the Adams Park on Saturday increased the pressure on Declan Kidney’s side to produce another victory over Llanelli at Thomond Park yesterday. Under pressure the hosts delivered and retain their one-point lead at the top of this titanic pool entering the Christmas break. That is no mean achievement considering the absence of Paul O’Connell and Alan Quinlan in recent weeks.
Without question, the most relieved man at the final whistle in Thomond Park yesterday was Marcus Horan who found himself in the sin bin for the third time in six games, minutes after replacing Freddie Pucciariello in the second half.
Given that his departure at a similar juncture against Wasps proved crucial, Horan was threading on thin ice.
With the game very much in the balance, Brian Carney’s try on 73 minutes finally gave Munster some breathing space and assured another hard-fought win. Llanelli true to their promise last week carried the fight to Munster despite having no chance of qualification.
These back-to-back games always impose demands of a different kind with only five teams managing to record successive victories from the 12 contests over the last two weekends.
Munster will be happier with the result than the performance in a game that never really took off. The 1pm kick off time does nothing for the crowd either and the Munster management should consider this given as, depending on the Clermont result, the Wasps game may require another miracle performance.
Against both Gloucester and Sale in those famous pool games of yore the crowd and the atmosphere generated were crucial ingredients. Given the renovations and early kick off, Thomond is lacking its usual spark at present.
Crucially Munster’s challenge is very much alive and with Doug Howlett on his way soon there is much to look forward to.
Llanelli gambled having won the toss and played against the wind in the opening half which is exactly what Munster would have done. Despite a tremendous start which produced a stunning try for Jerry Flannery after six minutes, Munster made the error of trying to play too much rugby and spent too much time in their own half. Defensively they were also suspect with too many first up tackles being missed.
When they did manage to secure territory, Llanelli adopted a cynical approach, particularly in their own 22 and were content to concede penalties when it looked as if Munster were certain to score. Referee Dave Pearson was far too lenient on the visitors. The only surprise was that it took 33 minutes to produce a yellow card with Llanelli’s tight head Ben Broster being the first to go.
Normally Munster are ruthless when they have the numerical advantage but on this occasion managed only three points in Broster’s absence. Under the circumstances, a lead of only seven points at the break was a concern.
On a positive note both Lifeimi Mafi and Rua Tipoki were extremely dangerous in possession and opened up the Llanelli defence in the build-up to Carney’s all-important try after great work from Flannery who had a fine game.
He was well supported by Denis Leamy and David Wallace who both delivered big performances on successive weekends. Donnacha Ryan also made his mark when introduced on the hour mark and one audacious off load to Carney was worthy of a try.
At times Munster look more comfortable playing into the wind when they are forced to carry ball. While the maul never reached the heady heights of Stradey Park, Anthony Foley’s pack did manage to exert enough control to close out the game.
Next up, Clermont will however pose an entirely different challenge. For now Munster will content themselves that unlike their provincial colleagues there is everything to play for when the tournament recommences after the Christmas break.
Once again Leinster flattered to deceive when faltering for the second year in a row in this competition at Murrayfield.
If anything this collapse was even more pronounced than last year and with two games remaining against tournament specialists Toulouse and Leicester, Brian O’Driscoll’s men are on the rack.
Edinburgh were full value for this victory when their pace and inventiveness proved too much for Leinster. The biggest shock was the visitors failure to even secure a bonus point, the fourth game in a row in Europe where they have failed to register a bonus point.
It has proved a costly deficiency and one that suggests they will play no further part in this season’s Heineken Cup after January.
Not for the first time Leinster started to play catch-up rugby far too early most noticeably when Rob Kearney attempted to run five metres from his own line in the 55th minute despite being only nine points behind.
The subsequent interception of his pass which gifted Ben Cairns a try not only finished the game but also signalled Leinster’s exit from the tournament. After such a promising start to the competition, this defeat could not have been timed worse.
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