Munster play the get out of jail card

MUNSTER stretched their Magners League lead to seven points at the Galway Sportsground last night but had to withstand fierce Connacht pressure for the closing six minutes.

Lucky to be leading 16-12 with time almost up, Munster were forced to defend frantically as Connacht launched a series of attacks down the right flank. Sean Cronin, Ian Keatley and Darragh Fanning went close and then Fanning was held inches short of the line. And to their credit, Connacht were still far from finished.

Munster flanker Niall Ronan was yellow carded and then followed six minutes of stoppage time in which Connacht forced three scrums and two penalties only to be somehow held at bay by desperate defence.