A tough Italian job well done, says Leamy

HAVING survived the skirmishes, Munster won the battle and secured the victory demanded of them against Italian newcomers Aironi at Musgrave Park on Saturday night.

It was not the perfect performance to open their Magners League campaign but it was the ideal outcome – a bonus-point win against a feisty, physical and committed team that could cause problems for many teams this season.

Munster captain Denis Leamy admitted it had been as tough a physical challenge as he ever faced but said: “We were ready for them, it wasn’t anything we didn’t expect.”

The Irish side will reflect on some sloppy first-half moments, not least coughing up a couple of lineouts but, according to Leamy, they were glad of the experience.

“I’m not sure about fans, but we (players) certainly didn’t assume we’d go in at half-time 40 points up, not even 10 points up. We expected they would make us work hard and they did. Ultimately, I suppose, the work we put in during the first half paid dividends in the latter stages,” he said.

But if Munster were inconsistent out of touch, they more than made up for it at scrum time. Against Leicester and Gloucester in pre-season matches and now against a tough Aironi front five, hard work on the training pitch appears to be paying off.

Munster’s solid scrum play wasn’t lost on anyone, not least Leamy: “Their front five was very good, they had something like 240 international caps so that indicates what we were up against. It’s a decent pack when you add in guys like Nick Williams (ex-Munster) and a number seven (Gareth Krause) from South Africa.”

Munster survived the demands of scrummaging with two distinct front rows, Wian du Preez, Damien Varley and the bustling Tony Buckley replaced in the second half by Marcus Horan, Denis Fogarty and John Hayes. With Peter Borlase to come in from Canterbury Crusaders and homegrown Stephen Archer, Darragh Hurley and Dave Ryan continuing to develop, things are looking up for Munster.

Buckley was singled out for particular praise by Leamy, who believes he is on the cusp of reaching his full potential on the approach to his 30th birthday. The big prop scored Munster’s third try and the captain remarked: “He’s one of the guys we especially want to try to get more on the ball because he is an awesome carrier who always gets across the gain line. He takes some stopping, gets the crowd going and gets us going; his whole game, including his scrummaging has come on and he is looking to be a really, really good player.”

There were other good performances, notably from flanker Niall Ronan who was on the end of just about everything and stole in for two tries in a fine contribution.

Billy Holland played a significant role in the victory and particularly the creation of a second-half try, alongside a never-say-die effort from Mick O’Driscoll, and substitute Alan Quinlan saved Munster with two typical steals late in the game.

Handling errors apart, there was enough to suggest that it could be a decent season for Munster’s backs too, with all including Johne Murphy, Sam Tuitupou and Felix Jones producing positive moments. At least, there was enough evidence to suggest that all three newcomers will play significant roles as the season goes on.

It was an interesting first half to say the least, with Aironi yielding nothing to a Munster side that had to fight for everything, despite enjoying a solid start with six points from the boot of Paul Warwick inside 10 minutes.

Ludovic Mercier responded in kind for Aironi and, after Felix Jones scored an excellent 26th minute try, the visitors responded with Mercier, Dylan Des Fountain and Roberto Quartaroli combining to send Julien Laharrague away for a marvellous equalising try.

The Munster fans had plenty to worry about at the break and, as it happened following Salvatore Perugini’s yellow card, plenty to enthuse over in the second, for some of it at least.

Ronan and Buckley charged over for tries in a three-minute spell early on with the visitors down to 14 and Warwick converted one for a 23-11 lead. Mercier kicked penalties on either side of a drop goal from Warwick but Munster put the issue beyond doubt with a second try from the flanker that the out-half converted.

It mattered little that Aironi launched a late offensive, because the game was beyond them. It did indicate, however, that they’re a side not to be trifled with.

Scorers for Munster: N Ronan 2 tries; T Buckley, F Jones try each; P Warwick 2 pens, 2 cons, drp gl.

Scorers for Aironi: J Laharrague try; L Mercier 4 pens.

MUNSTER: F Jones, D Howlett, J Murphy, S Tuitupou, I Dowling, P. Warwick, P. Stringer, W du Preez, D Varley, T Buckley, M O’Driscoll, B Holland, D Ryan, D Leamy (capt), N Ronan.

Replacements: D Fogarty for Varley, M Horan for du Preez, J Hayes for Buckley (all 55), A Quinlan O’Driscoll (63), P O’Mahony for Ronan 75 and temporary (46-53), D Williams for Stringer (65), D. Barnes for Tuitupou (75), S Deasy for Jones (78).

AIRONI: J Laharrague; G Rubini, R Quartaroli, D Des Fountain, G Toniolatti; L Mercier, T Tebaldi; A De Marchi, F Ongaro, S Perugini; C Del Fava, Q Geldenhuys (capt), J Erasmus, G Krause, N Williams.

Replacements: L Milani for Erasmus (51), M Bortolami for Del Fava (54), Andrea De Marchi for Alberto De Marchi (60), G. Pizarro for Rubini, R. Santmaria for Ongaro (both 65), M. Wilson for Tebaldi (68).

Referee: G Knox (Scotland).