Tadhg Beirne a real game-winner for Munster, says Johann van Graan

“Firstly, that was a phenomenal kick,” Johann van Graan said with a smile afterwards. “That was the biggest left-footed kick we’ve had here for a while.”

Munster’s Tadhg Beirne is tackled by Harlequins’ Marcus Smith and Nathan Earle. Picture: Inpho/Gary Carr

On a European night when there was much to admire about Munster’s 21-7 Heineken Champions Cup victory over Harlequins, there was a short passage of play that neatly encapsulated the hard-fought contest.

It came quickly on the heels of a low point at Thomond Park, as Stephen Archer was sin-binned for a professional foul on Danny Care, tackling the Quins scrum-half before he had advanced 10 metres from a quick tap penalty early in the second half. The visitors advanced into Munster’s 22 but would go no further, Damian de Allende ripping the ball brilliantly from his opposite number Ben Tupuai, Tadhg Beirne catching it.