Munster Barnes-stormer sees off Ospreys

ON A night short on inspiration,a young New Zealand-born,Tralee-raised centre showed Thomond Park that blond-flecked hair aren’t the only highlights Danny Barnes can bring to the Munster cause.

Tony McGahan gambled on the 21-year-old to help solve midfield difficulties Munster have had this season, and the all-action No 13 came up trumps.

If Barnes’ two try performance was the start of something special, the pity was that there was only around 13,000 there to see it; it was unprecedented to watch Munster play a big competitive match at Thomond Park, with gaps in both stands and with terraces closed to restrict the crowd. Yet Barnes helped generate a welcome hum of excitement with a succession of breaks and two tries to help his side eventually convert an emphatic territorial advantage into a seven point win.