Victory at a cost
Yesterday's victory atThomond Park could, however, come with a heavy price after a red card for Paul O'Connell and a losing bonus point for the Welsh visitors.
Nothing less than a win in Limerick would have done for Tony McGahan's side in an extremely tight qualifying group, especially after his side’s defeat in the opening round at London Irish. Back in October, Munster left the Madejski Stadium buoyed by their bonus point on foreign soil and Ospreys will have done the same as they returned to south Wales to prepare for Saturday's return meeting.
On such matters qualification for the European knockout rounds hinge, but McGahan was relieved to have secured a victory that for long periods seemed beyond a below-par Munster side, 15 men or not.
“When you’re behind 13-8 with 50-odd minutes on the clock, you’re looking to get the result and that was our whole focus of the day,” McGahan said. “Munster, in particular, recognise the importance of bonus points, especially losing bonus points, because it’s played a big part in our success over the years. So while you’d like to deny the opposition that, they were good enough to get it and you have to give respect to that.”
An incredibly sloppy first half, marked by a flurry of turnovers, the misfiring of Ronan O'Gara's kicking boot and an inability to string more than two or three phases together, ended with Munster in a surprising 8-6 lead thanks in large part to Doug Howlett's smart try as he ran on to an excellent Tomás O'Leary kick ahead after just 11 minutes.
Munster defended excellently, as a unit and individually, as epitomised by James Coughlan just about reaching Dan Biggar's punt upfield ahead of the fast-approaching Tommy Bowe.
With the ball in hand they were less assured, and good hands were hard to find in that first half save for a couple of moments when O'Gara passed on to Paul Warwick at breakneck speed to advance to the Ospreys' 22 and Sam Tuitupou was equally effective in off-loading to Warwick, again with similar results.
Ospreys were making light of the concerns expressed by head coach Sean Holley in the build-up that their side was still 10 per cent off the pace, and as they finished the opening period in the ascendancy, they appeared well up to speed - only for O'Gara to suddenly find his sights and send a first penalty in three attempts over the bar, giving Munster a perfectly-timed boost at the half-time whistle.
The subsequent second-half surge from the home side at the restart suggested a corner had been turned but that belief was quickly turned on its head when Tuitupou’s ambitious pass out wide on the Ospreys' 22 was intercepted by Ireland's own speed merchant Bowe, who gratefully accepted the opportunity to streak upfield and score unhindered beneath the posts.
Biggar converted and Ospreys fully deserved their 13-8 lead, only for the tide to turn again in Munster's favour when Paul James was deemed the culprit at a collapsed scrum in front of the Welsh line and was shown yellow by French referee Christophe Berdos.
Advantage Munster, and they were ruthless in maximising theopportunity, with two quick tries, both converted by O'Gara, from David Wallace and Johne Murphy.
Good job too, for the roars that greeted the arrival of captain Paul O'Connell back onto the European stage quickly turned to a shocked silence. O'Connell had come into the game looking for more game time in his continued bid for full match fitness but his 12 minutes could be the last for quite some time following his sending off for throwing out an outstretched arm in the direction of Ospreys No.8 Jonathan Thomas, who had been pestering the Ireland and Lions lock like an annoying Jack Russell terrier. O'Connell's failure to stay composed could cost both him and Munster dear. However, without their leader for the final 11 minutes, the Irish province managed what Ospreys could not in similar circumstances and that was to dig deep and defend as though their lives depended on it.
Biggar had sent over a penalty just before O'Connell's dismissal but the Welsh side would not breach the newly thinned red line, substitute Alan Quinlan performing an heroic steal at the breakdown in front of the posts in the final minute to rob Ospreys of any hope of a dramatic late score.
Munster were off the hook but face into an equally-challenging trial this weekend when Ospreys will be pumped up and determined not just to gain revenge but to deny their guests the comfort of a bonus point.
“I think the pressure will still be on us but I think more so on the home side,” McGahan concluded. “We know that if we can gather a win away from home, and London and Toulon are in the same boat too, and get a home win you’re going to be in good control of the group.”
MUNSTER: P. Warwick (Denis Hurley, 71); D. Howlett, K. Earls (L. Mafi, 75), S. Tuitupou, J. Murphy; R. O'Gara, T. O'Leary; W. du Preez, D. Varley, T. Buckley (J. Hayes, 67); D. O'Callaghan, M. O'Driscoll (P. O'Connell, 59); J. Coughlan (A. Quinlan, 59), D. Wallace, D. Leamy (capt).
Replacements not used: M. Sherry, Darragh Hurley, P. Stringer.
OSPREYS: B. Davies; T. Bowe, A. Bishop (S. Parker,75), J. Hook, R. Fussell; D. Biggar, M. Phillips; P. James (D. Jones, 74), R. Hibbard (M. Davies, 51), A. Jones; R. Jones, A. Jones (capt); J Collins, M. Holah, J. Thomas (I. Gough, 74).
Replacements not used: C. Mitchell, J. Tipuric, J. Nutbrown, N. Walker.
Referee: C Berdos (France).
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