Munster rugby’s bonus point no small consolation

In a new European Cup world where three of five second placed teams advance rather than two from six, a bonus point in Clermont is no small thing.

Munster had slight edge on territory on Sunday but, perhaps crucially, Clermont conceded 24 turnovers to Munster’s 11 despite the hosts having less possession in the game. Fifteen of those turnovers were conceded in the Munster half.

JJ Hanrahan was the focus of much interest before the game but one early contribution suggested flash over pragmatism; a poor cross kick undoing a hard earned turnover by his colleagues in the forward pack.