New boy Howard hails Hurley heroics

Munster’s midfield new boy Pat Howard praised the contribution of centre partner Denis Hurley as he celebrated victory over his province’s arch-rivals Leinster.

South African loanee Howard, 22, combined well with Hurley at Thomond Park on St Stephen’s Day as Munster imposed their physicality on their interprovincial visitors in defence and attack on their way to a first double over the Blues since 2008/09.

The 28-13 league victory snapped a three-game losing streak and sent Munster back into third place in the Guinness Pro12 table, with Howard showing he is settling well five games into his three-month loan spell from Western Province. The player brought in as short-term injury cover got his side over the gainline as Munster repeatedly punched holes in Leinster’s defence, while he and Hurley dovetailed neatly in defence as Matt O’Connor’s side failed to break the home side down, managing just one late consolation try.