Warwick content as Munster’s young guns impressively shake off Exiles

TWO games into the new season and Munster coach Tony McGahan has every reason to be pleased with progress. For the second week in succession, Munster overcame more experienced English Premiership opposition, in front of more than 7,000 fans who came to enjoy a highly competitive match on a rare sunny summer evening at Musgrave Park.

It took a late penalty from captain Paul Warwick to seal victory, but it was no more than Munster deserved for the manner in which they approached this game. In possession, Munster looked menacing and produced enough vibrant moves to make life uncomfortable for the visitors; a four-try salvo wasn’t a bad return for their efforts.

But if McGahan was pleased with the tries, he was equally happy with a vigorous defensive display from his charges, and they had a degree of defending to do for spells in this game.

Warwick highlighted the intensity of Munster’s defence as crucial to the win. “We have always worked hard on our defence and it was pleasing to see the new guys slotting in and doing what was expected. Tony (McGahan) has been strict in enforcing that (plan) and it’s nice when things work.

“I was also pleased at the way we took our chances; we have a few things to work on but we’re delighted to have been a part of these two wins (Munster beat Sale Sharks last week) and it’s something to build on with the youth that has been put out. These young guys have set a standard.

“It’s really great to see how things have developed; there is going to be intense competition for places, particularly in the back line, what with so many of the established players to come back and (Jean) de Villiers to come over from South Africa. That can only be good for the squad.”

For the second week in a row, Munster enjoyed a productive start to the game when Damian Varley ploughed over for a fourth-minute try that Jeremy Manning converted.

London Irish responded with a penalty from Ryan Lamb and went on to dominate the remainder of the opening quarter and into the second before Munster finally started to win regular possession.

They produced a score immediately, with Tommy O’Donnell barging over, and Manning added the points to make it 14-3.

London Irish scorned a kickable penalty chance before losing Chris Hala’Ufai to the sin-bin in the 32nd minute for foul play. They paid a heavy price with 14 men, when Danny Barnes snatched a third try after a chip through from Warwick; Manning converted brilliantly from the touchline.

Barnes grabbed his second try – Munster’s fourth – 15 minutes into the second half and it came at a very opportune time, because the visitors had hauled themselves back into the contest by then.

A try from Sailosi Tagicakibau shortly after half-time was converted by Lamb, who also kicked a penalty to pull back the Munster advantage to eight points.

But Munster turned pressure into gain and responded brilliantly with that fourth try that Warwick converted to put them back into the driving seat at 28-13.

Jamie Lennard dropped a goal with 13 minutes gone in the second half and Munster were forced into a corner when substitute George Stowers grabbed a 73rd minute try that Lamb converted – until Warwick’s long range kick gave them the required breathing space and secured victory.

Elsewhere, Leinster opened their pre-season campaign with an impressive 38-10 victory over Rugby Nice Côte d’Azur in the Stade des Arboras last night.

Former Bath fly-half Shaun Berne capped a fine display with his first try in Leinster colours, while five other tries were scored in a commanding performance. Simon Keogh, Kevin McLaughlin, Chris Keane and Isa Nacewa also touched down, while on-trial Kiwi Billy Ngawini did his chances of landing a contract no harm, scoring late on.

Scorers for Munster: D Barnes 2 tries; D Varley, T O’Donnell try each; J Manning 3 cons, P Warwick pen, con.

Scorers for London Irish: S Tagicakibau, G Stowers try each; R Lamb 2 pens, 2 cons; J Lennard drp gl.

Scorers for Leinster: I Nacewa try, 2 cons; S Berne try, 2 cons; S Keogh, K McLaughlin, C Keane, B Ngawini try each.

MUNSTER: D Hurley; D Riordan, T Gleeson, P Warwick (captain), D Barnes; J Manning, T Morland; D Ryan, D Varley, T Buckley; B Holland, I Nagle; T O’Donnell, D Leamy, N Ronan.

Replacements: F Jones for Riordan, P Stringer for Morland, J Brugnaut for Ryan, M O’Driscoll for Leamy, D Fogarty for Varley (all half time), S Deasy for Manning (52), S Archer for Buckley (60), E Grace for Holland (73).

LONDON IRISH: D Armitage; A Thompstone, T Homer, C Gower, S Tagicakibau; R Lamb, P Richards; D Murphy, D Paice, P Ion; G Johnson, K Roche; R Thorpe, S Armigage, C Hala’Ufia.

Replacements: J Lennard for Homer (38), C Dermody for Murphy, J Buckland for Paice, N Kennedy for Roche, a Perry for Ion, P Hodgson for Richards, D Danaher for S Armitage, J Fisher for thorpe, G Stowers for Hala’Ufia (all 57).

Referee: A Lewis (IRFU).