Munster let 21-point lead slip but still impress in draw with Bath

DALY GRIND: Munster’s Shane Daly fends off Bath pressure in their pre-season clash at Virgin Media Park in Cork. Pic: Dan Sheridan

Munster 28 Bath 28 

Munster’s pre-season closer was extended to 90 minutes for maximum pre-season benefit. They may wish it had ended at 80.

The gloss was stripped from Clayton McMillan’s first home outing as head coach as three late Bath tries snatched a 28-all tie.

Still, their final pre-season tune-up was impressive for large parts, despite the wet conditions. Tries from Andrew Smith, Michael Milne, Mike Haley, and a penalty try gave Munster a convincing 28-7 lead entering the final 18 minutes.

Yet, Johann van Graan’s side maintained a final bite on his return to Cork.

On the heels of a last-gasp Gloucester defeat, Munster will hope to close out better once the real action begins away to Scarlets in a fortnight. If they can take the right lessons from this contest, the sting may yet be worth it.

Munster named two teams, with a further eight replacements to interchange into the sides at various junctures. Among those rolling replacements, there was a senior debut for Young Munster veteran prop Conor Bartley.

‘Team 2’ captain Craig Casey led a returning quintet of Irish internationals. Summer signings Dan Kelly and JJ Hanrahan, who joked about making his “third first cap”, enjoyed welcomes from the home crowd.

From the outset, Munster largely delivered the “perspiration and mental application” McMillan demanded. For evidence, the treble-winning English champions didn’t enter the opposition 22 until the 21st minute.

The hosts achieved that marker within a minute of the kick-off. However, Diarmuid Kilgallen sustained an ankle knock when turned over close to the Bath line and limped off.

The crowd got going after a quarter-hour when Bath took issue with Ethan Coughlan’s ruck contest. His Munster teammates took issue with the reaction. Referee Robbie Jenkinson reversed the initial penalty. Once the impressive Kelly switched the point of attack back to the right wing, Smith sprinted to the corner for an acrobatic diving finish. Hanrahan nailed the touchline conversion.

When Bath did penetrate the Munster 22, their charge was halted by outstanding maul defence. Munster doubled the momentum shift by winning the first of three consecutive scrum penalties.

The final link in that sequence came with the clock in the red. After Shane Daly was held up over the line, the advancing scrum was rewarded with a penalty try. With 30 minutes played, the lead was 14.

The pattern of territorial dominance continued until the midway mark. Hanrahan kicked three penalties into the corner. This time, Munster couldn’t build the pressure to capitalise.

They unveiled ‘Team 2’ after 45 minutes, changing all but the centre pairing. The sides also switched ends, although Bath’s advantage was dulled by the wind dying. The rain persisted.

Munster’s maul defence was required again. The new personnel produced a similar result to hold Bath up over the line. Likewise, they forced another penalty from the subsequent scrum.

Increasingly, however, this period turned into a rearguard action. After a series of close-range penalties, their resistance was broken by Miles Reid burrowing over the line. Ciarán Donoghue’s conversion cut the deficit at the second interval to 14-7.

Munster improved from there with Haley’s break leading to Casey going close. From the scrum, Milne bounced over for his second try in red. Tony Butler converted.

Within four minutes, it was 28-7. A pair of Bartley bursts helped to pin Bath back before Haley dodged into space to dash over. Butler converted again.

As the game lost structure, Bath went through the hands for a Henry Arundell response, which Tom de Glanville converted.

Two tries in the space of a minute brought them level. Francois van Wyk pounded over after a tap-and-go penalty. Then, Arundell’s pace allowed Bernard van der Linde to stroll over. Donoghue slotted both conversions to ensure the draw.

With the friendly business over, these two will meet again at The Rec in December for the opening weekend of Champions Cup action.

MUNSTER (Team 1): S Daly; A Smith, S O’Brien, D Kelly, D Kilgallen (S McCarthy 3); JJ Hanrahan, E Coughlan (P Patterson 36); J Loughman (M Donnelly 30), N Scannell (capt) (M Clein 30), O Jager (C Bartley 30); E O’Connell, T Ahern; R Quinn (S Edogbo 36), A Kendellen, G Coombes.

MUNSTER (Team 2): M Haley; B O’Connor, S O’Brien (F Gibbons 60), D Kelly (G Wood 60, S McCarthy 78), T Abrahams; T Butler, C Casey (capt) (P Patterson 76); M Milne (M Donnelly 70), L Barron, J Ryan (C Bartley 60, R Foxe 76); C Ryan, F Wycherley; J O’Donoghue, J Hodnett (S Edogbo 74), B Gleeson.

BATH: A Emens (T de Glanville 30); J Cokanasiga, L Hennessey (C Harris 30), W Butt, C Griffin (H Arundell 30); C Donoghue, T Carr-Smith (B van der Linde 51, T Carr-Smith 90); S Kirk (F van Wyk 30), J Spandler (T Dunn 30), K Verden (M Summerfield 30, K Verden 67); H Cuckson (Q Roux 30), E Richards (capt) (R Molony 30); E Staddon, G Timmins, A Green (M Reid 30).

Referee: R Jenkinson.