A painful French history lesson

MUNSTER’S opening European Cup game, on November 1, 1995, ended in triumph against Swansea at Thomond Park, but it was left to the captain Pat Murray to save the blushes with a late try to seal a 17-13 victory.

Munster were coming off an eight match unbeaten run, including two victories on a short tour of Italy, but having displayed little of the form that had contributed to that sparkling record. Swansea led 13-10 when Murray struck in the 79th minute and Kenny Smith’s conversion gave them the insurance points as Swansea launched a furious late assault. A crowd of more than 6,000 attended the match but they were clearly disappointed by the low quality of rugby on offer in a game marked by an equally poor display from English referee Ed Morrison.

Munster, had they lost, would really have had themselves to blame though, due to their failure to utilise the wind advantage in the second half, having turned over 7-6 to the good at the break.