‘No frills’ Metro derail Munster

Racing Metro’s 22-17 win over Munster in Paris will never go down as one of the more glorious examples of ‘le beau jeu’ or the beautiful game but it seems a win is a win as far the French sporting press are concerned.

Leading sports daily l’Equipe contended that Racing had turned up with “a performance without frills.”

In a game marred by the boggy underfoot conditions at the Stade de France, the paper paid tribute to the home side, who they said had surprisingly reacted to the conditions better.

“The Parisians relied on the essentials: the kicking of fly-half Olly Barkley, massive pressure in defence and huge commitment,” said l’Equipe.

“The playing conditions favoured the Irish, who were driven forward by the precise kicking of the immortal Ronan O’Gara. But two late penalties for Racing were enough to send the 30,000 [fans] home happy.”

The loss of O’Gara on the half hour mark was the turning point for a game that seemed set up for Munster, claimed Midi Olympique.

“Racing’s heart was largely responsible for this deserved victory but the premature exit of Ronan O’Gara massively handicapped Munster,” they alleged.

“In his kicking game, ball retention and crisis management, his replacement was not at all of the same talent. The Parisians happily profited.”

Le Figaro said that Racing’s victory would allow the club to “breathe”, having coming into the game off the back of a couple of defeats. The victory, Racing’s first in three years of opening round Heineken Cup matches, was a notable scalp, the newspaper noted:

“Racing toppled one of the European giants on Saturday, Paul O’Connell’s Munster. The Parisians didn’t do it with particularly ambitious play but they did manage to overcome the double European Champions.”