By Tadhg Peavoy
E-mail: sportonline@rte.ie
1641 That was epic stuff. Rampaging, ranting, raving rugby from both sides. Ball-in-hand, off-the-cuff, sweet angles of running and bravado from both teams.
Clermont were the better team and deserved the win. When in possession their ability to retain the ball and grind out the hard yards was outstanding; Brock James' distribution was also awesome.
Leinster played a brand of rugby that can only be described as magnificent to watch. However, too often the final pass or the ability to retain ruck ball in the opposition 22 was beyond them. Soft missed tackles must be highlighted in both Malzieu and Floch's tries for Clermont.
That said, a losing bonus point is a good return. Would you bet against Leinster, possibly with Brian O'Driscoll back in the midfield, beating Clermont in the return leg? I think not.
Honourable mentions for Eoin O'Malley and Fergus McFadden - they are on the way to being the real deal.
Thanks for joining myself and Brendan today. Until next week, see y'after.
FULL-TIME: Clermont Auvergne 20-13 Leinster
80 mins They break downfield, but the ball, as has been the case all day, is not secured at the breakdown. Clermont overturn, but there isn't time to make it up the pitch. It's all over. Leinster have secured a losing bonus point.
79 mins Leinster are in their own 22. The scrum must be reset, Leinster hold it well and are now fighting for a losing bonus-point.
79 mins Leinster secure the scrum - just.
78 mins Parra spins to James who finds Rougerie in the line. He takes it into contact. Clermont retain with ease. However, at the next phase they go wide to Sione Lauaki, Clermont lose it in the ruck.
77 mins Was that Leinster's last chance? Lineout for Clermont on the Leinster 10-metre.
76 mins O'Malley darts wide on the right, but there is no space in the Clermont defence. Rougerie overturns it in the tackle, ripping the egg ball from O'Malley's arms.
75 mins Huge let off for Leinster. The restart goes long and Sione Lauaki hammers up the middle. Julien Pierre follows suit. Leinster turn it over and set up on halfway.
75 mins PENALTY: Parra to kick from the 22-metre line, left of the posts. Amazingly he pulls it wide!
74 mins On the Clermont 10-metre line, the French team turn it over. James crossfield kicks 40 yards to Malzieu - he was in for a try, but Dominic Ryan got across to make a last ditch cover tackle.
But, Leinster concede a penalty for infringing at the next ruck.
73 mins Scrum Leinster: they win it and go wide to D'Arcy. Hines and O'Brien make more hard yards.
72 mins Jennings drives ten yards in his own 10-metre area. He sets and Leinster go wide. From a ruck on halfway, Clermont stick a hand out as Reddan passes wide - knock-on, scrum Leinster.
71 mins Clint Newland on for Mike Ross for Leinster.
71 mins Lionel Faure on for Thomas Domingo for Clermont.
71 mins Floch kicks long to Sexton, teh Irish outhalf hammers it back. Then Brock James punts it back. He makes touch.
70 mins Scrum Clermont on their own 22: They secure and Sione Lauaki picks and goes.
69 mins Dominic Ryan hits the line hard coming onto a D'Arcy pop pass - but he spills in contact.
67 mins Elvis Vermeulen and Mario Ledesma Arocena are on for Clermont - what incredible subs to bring on.
68 mins O'Brien, once more marches up the centre of the pitch and enters the 22-metre area. But, Leinster can't use it at all. They infringe at the breakdown - advantage Clermont.
67 mins Sexton pases to D'Arcy and loops around once more. No space out on the right wing this time.
65 mins Clermont clear their lines. Leinster kick it back through Nacewa. Clermont have the lion's share of possession and Leinster are struggling to get a foothold. At the moment they are living on scraps and need to slow the tempo down somewhat and snaffle out Clermont's ability to move it wide to quickly.
64 mins O'Malley picks and goes. Shane Jennings is next up. He is tackled, but refuses to set it up and instead makes a double movement for the line. Penalty for Clermont. That was a massive chance - could it be match-changing?
63 mins O'Brien steals from a ruck and O'Malley is fed in the middle - he darts into the French 22. Wide on the left, several phases bring Leinster to the line.
62 mins Eoin Reddan is on for Isaac Boss.
61 mins Sexton kicks long and Julien Pierre just about latches on to it for Clermont.
59 mins Clermont's David Zirakashvili barges up the middle of the Leinster 22. This Georgian prop is a human cannonball. Leinster can't handle it and concede a peno at the ruck. Rights of front of the sticks Parra will have a pop at goal.
PENALTY: This should be easy for the scrum-half: it is. We have a seven-point game again.
Clermont Auvergne 20-13 Leinster (Parra penalty.)
58 mins PENALTY: From the ruck infringement Leinster get a peno. Sexton to kick: wide on the left at the 22-metre mark. Perfect kick.
Clermont Auvergne 17-13 Leinster (Sexton penalty.)
56 mins O'Malley drives up the middle and parks it well. Leinster recycle well and Mike Ross steps forward with ball in hand. Clermont go over the top - I think Bonnaire was the criminal.
53 mins TRY: Still Clermont: Thomas Domingo batters through ten metres of trench warfare. From that ruck, James spin passes to Nalanga wide on the right - it's 2 on 2 on the right wing, but Anthony Floch cuts inside Fergus McFadden and with Nacewa's positioning off he runs over for a try.
CONVERSION: Parra adds the extras from wide on the right.
Clermont Auvergne 17-10 Leinster (Try: Floch. Conversion: Parra.)
52 mins Clermont retain and David Zirakashvili takes at pace to penetrate the Leinster front line of defence, before being hauled down.
51 mins James kikcs to the Leisnter 10-metre. The lineout throw from Ti'i Paulo goes to Thibault Privat and is tapped down.
50 mins Scrum Leinster: Leinster lose it in the loose and Clermont drive up to their own 22. O'Malley concedes a penalty for putting his paws in the ruck.
49 mins Sexton and D'Arcy attempt the same loop move that resulted in the Leinster try. This time Rougerie knocks the ball on as Sexton passes wide to Horgan.
48 mins Leinster go right and wide, they meet a white wall and spin it left to D'Arcy. Under immense pressure the retains in the tackle. Sexton pops to O'Malley - good, slow build-up from Leinster.
47 mins It's all Clermont as they retain the ball with assured phases.
But, on their own scrum ball, Clermont infringe and Leinster win the penalty. The Clermont props popped up before the ball was out.
45 mins Clermont are fired up something crazy this half. James kicks long to Nacewa, he returns the favour.
44 mins Long kick from Sexton - Nacewa tries to get underneath it, but Floch stand firm and cradles it in his open and outstretched, upstretched arms.
43 mins Dominic Ryan is on for Jamie Heaslip - we didn't see what happened. I imagine he failed to recover from the incidient at 31 minutes in this commentary.
41 mins Hines claims the long ball but Leinster can't make use of it and Clermont have possession in the 22. Rougerie injects pace which draws in the cover - in the blink of an eye they go wide to the left flank and Malzieu comes within inches of crossing the line - last-minute cover tackle.
1553 The teams are back out in France and James is about to get us underway.
1543 Excellent first half from both teams - this is a cracker. McFadden and O'Malley are the standout performers for the Irish side; however, James' kicking to touch, allied to the running power of Napolioni Nalaga, Aurelien Rougerie and Julien Malzieu are causing headaches for Leinster all over the park. Back for more soon.
HALF-TIME: Clermont Auvergne 10-10 Leinster
40 mins Clermont rumble downfield, then tee up James - again he kicks long. Rougerie is beaten to the drop by McFadden and secures the platform. Sexton sees the clock in the red and puts into touch.
39 mins Leinster turn it over at the ruck and Sexton hoofs to the Clermont 22. Nalanga comes to claim it and tees up Floch - the latter leathers it into the Leinster half.
38 mins Leinster hoof it downfield where Clermont win their own lineout. Bonnaire leapt like a salmon for that one.
37 mins Fergus McFadden must play a game of chicken with Aurelien Rougerie in the 22. Neither chickens out and they both meet head-to-head - richter scale stuff there!
A dazed Rougerie sets it up and Parra feeds Floch - from 15 yards he skews his drop-goal wide.
36 mins Ti'i Paulo and Thomas Domingo drive two yards each after the lineout. Leinster hold firm, living and dying in the tackle.
35 mins The next attack is not so assured, Hines couldn't offload from a short drive and Jennings tries to secure the ball on the ground. The refe was having none of it. James kicks to the corner.
33 mins Leinster win the lineout ball and setup in the middle of the park, but it's knocked on. Clermont put-in. James kicks down the middle and Nacewa runs it back. O'Malley takes up the gauntlet, breaks for ten metres then presents the ball on the ground to perfection.
32 mins Leinster kick back to the Clermont 22. It doesn't make touch but Rougeriie claims it - he can't find space and is bundled into touch.
31 mins Clermont kick to touch, the lineout goes long and Clermont also infringe. Heaslip collapses in a heap as he is dropped from the lineout jump. Martin Scelzo grabbed Heaslip's crum cap and ran over him as well as Alexandre Lapandry landing on him - it's rare to see Heaslip look battered, but he was on the ropes there for a moment.
29 mins Leinster go long with a boot downfield and Anthony Floch claims for Clermont. The whistle goes as Hines comes in the side and concedes a penalty.
28 mins Napolioni Nalaga again barges down the right, Leinster have to scramble to cover and end the charge. It's a bit desperate and the Irish province are being stretched.
27 mins Clermont attacka again. Napolioni Nalaga storms down the right wing, but is hammered to the ground by Heaslip to end the run and attack.
24 mins I speak too soon. Strauss plays the ball on the ground and fails to release after making the tacjkle - this it's a penalty for Clermont. PENALTY: Parra to kick from inside the 22 and in front of the posts: no mistake.
Clermont Auvergne 10-10 Leinster (Parra penalty.)
23 mins Leinster set it up and Boss box-kicks long. Clermont run it back. Canale, Rougerie, Malzieu - but Leinster move the defensive wall toward the touchline and cover the danger expertly.
22 mins Play switches back to Clermont - Brock James kicks 40 yards downfield and makes touch. Anything you can do we can do better indicate the French club.
20 mins Quick break from Leinster. They go down the left channel and McFaddden is fed by O'Malley who makes 20 yards down the touchcline. He makes a truly first rate pass inside to Sexton, who tries to flick to Nacewa - it doesn't quite come off though. What superb rugby from Leinster and McFadden.
19 mins Good lineout and Canale sets it up on the 22. Clermont go wide left: Parra to James to Floch. Under no pressure Floch spills forward - lazy from the full back.
19 mins O'Brien looks concussed and seriously dazed. Clermont kick long to to touch through James.
17 mins From the ensuing ruck Clermont spill it and O'Brien rampages through the French defence. Leinster setup and then go wide right. In the 22 now. O'Brien is down after a whack to the head. Leinster don't release from their latest drive and concede a penalty.
16 mins From the reset O'Brien picks and goes. He does so well and makes the yards. Leinster kick to alleviate the pressure.
16 mins Scrum Leinster: It wheels completely and needs to be set again.
15 mins Clermont can't use it at all and knock on twice in as many seconds. Scrum to Leinster and they can clear their lines now.
14 mins From the kick-off Clermont go long and McFadden knocks it on. Cullen mishudged his leap to claim it initally.
13 mins BOD Almighty is on the touchline looking on.
12 mins Penalty for Leinster as there is a Clermont hand in the ruck. PENALTY: It's wide on teh left, right on the touchline. Outside the 22 as well. No mistake from Sexo. Leinster lead again.
Clermont Auvergne 7-10 Leinster (Penalty: Sexton.)
11 mins Good scrum. Parra passes to James, who can't find touch. McFadden runs it back for Leinster.
9 mins Leinster win the restart and drive to the 22. They go wide immediately, but the Clermont white shirts and there to cover. Leinster try to move it down teh middle with O'Brien. From the next phase Horgan comes onto a Sexton pass - this time he gets it wrong and knocks on, before being shouldered in the ribs. Clermont scrum in their 22.
7 mins TRY: No panic from Clermont. They reset and go through a second phase. Quick ball comes to Brock James, he feeds Rougerie outside him and then Malzieu - running a sublime angle - comes on to a perfect pop pass. Pace and a sweet angle sends him over for a try.
CONVERSION: Morgan Parra makes no error.
Clermont Auvergne 7-7 Leinster (Try: Malzieu. Conversion: Parra.)
6 mins Clermont get their hands on the ball and Brock James finds huge space down the centre channel and comes to within a metre of the line. He is finally hauled down by Nacewa.
2 mins Clermont can't take advantage of it and Leinster counter with D'Arcy - who was fit to start in the end - breaks down the middle. Leinster setup and break through Nacewa on the right wing. Leinster go through three phases and gaps appear. Sexton darts through said gap and makes it into the Clermont 22. From that ruck O'Brien takes on the charge.
TRY: Leinster's support for O'Brien is immense. From the ruck it goes wide to Sexton, he pases to D'Arcy then loops around the outside feeding Jennings. Jennings tries to shift it to Nacewa to score but Julien Malzieu palms it away. The loose ball falls kindly for Horgan to collect and fall over teh line.
CONVERSION: Sexton's kick from wide on the right is inch perfect.
CLERMONT AUVERGNE 0-7 LEINSTER (Try: Horgan. Conversion: Sexton.)
1 mins Scrum Clermont: Free-kick for Clermont for Leinster engaging too early.
1 min He does so and puts it out on the full. Shocking start. Scrum back at halfway for Clermont.
1501 Sexton will kick-off for Leinster.
1500 The teams are coming out in France. The bad news is that Gordon D'Arcy is on the ground receiving attention for bang to the head he received warming up. Hopefully he's going to be alright to start.
1453 Clermont need no introduction, but I'll give one anyway. The Vulcans are the current holders of le Bouclier de Brennus and were runners-up in 2007, 2008 and 2009. Added to that Les Jaunards are also European Challenge Cup winners from 1999 and 2007. But and however: they have never lifted the Heineken Cup.
1450 As Munster finish up in Limerick the 'goys' otherwise known as Blue Magic, otherwise known as legends, are gearing up for action in France - there they take on Clermont Auvergne in a mammoth H Cup clash. Oh yes.
Get your cans of Heino in the gaff and put the collars up. Oh and here are the teams:
Clermont Auvergne:
15 Anthony Floch
14 Napolioni Nalaga
13 Aurelien Rougerie
12 Gavin Williams
11 Julien Malzieu
10 Brock James
9 Morgan Parra
1 Thomas Domingo
2 Ti'i Paulo
3 Martin Scelzo
4 Loic Jacquet
5 Thibault Privat
6 Julien Bonnaire
7 Alexandre Lapandry
8 Sione Lauaki
Replacements:
16 Mario Ledesma Arocena
17 Lionel Faure
18 David Zirakashvili
19 Julien Pierre
20 Elvis Vermeulen
21 Kevin Senio
22 Tasesa Lavea
23 Benoit Baby
Leinster
15 Isa Nacewa
14 Shane Horgan
13 Eoin O'Malley
12 Gordon D'Arcy
11 Fergus McFadden
10 Jonathan Sexton
9 Isaac Boss
1 Heinke van der Merwe
2 Richardt Strauss
3 Mike Ross
4 Leo Cullen (captain)
5 Nathan Hines
6 Sean O'Brien
7 Shane Jennings
8 Jamie Heaslip
Replacements:
16 Jason Harris-Wright
17 Cian Healy
18 Clint Newland
19 Devin Toner
20 Dominic Ryan
21 Eoin Reddan
22 Shaun Berne
23 David Kearney
by Brendan Cole
2.45pm And I will now hand you over to Tadhg Peavoy for the next match: Clermont v Leinster. Thanks for following - till next time.
FINAL SCORE: MUNSTER 22-16 OSPREYS
79mins The Ospreys kick to touch up inside the Munster 22. Alun-Wyn Jones wins the lineout but no maul is set. The Ospreys move the ball right and Sonny Parker runs up the middle and is tackled and a ruck forms.
And Alan Quinlan has turned it over, diving in and grabbing the ball out of Phillips' hands as a ruck fell away between them!
He sets up a ruck, and O'Gara then kicks to touch, but the ball was passed back into the 22 and it is a lineout in the Munster 22.
But the clock has run out, and it's all over. Munster win A match short on quality back play but high on big defence and guts! Next week's match will be fascinating.
77mins Munster win the lineout and Wallace has a charge. But the next ball is turned over - Holah involved - and Biggar punts it very long and into touch. Ospreys didn't want to see that ball go out.
But the Ospreys win the lineout, tapping back for Phillips and they move it right after a ruck.
But another fantastic straight up tackle in midfield and more rocking breakdown play sees Munster win another turnover.
Munster are in trouble though - the linesman has spotted Donncha O'Callaghan holding down Mike Phillips to slow the Ospreys down.
75mins But a shocking throw by Varley hands it right back to Ospreys. There is more scrappy play out wide as both sides disrupt eachother's ruck ball. Then Phillips charges at O'Gara and puts him on his backside with a charge - joining Jamie Heaslp and Tommy Bowe in that club.
But the next ruck sees the Ospreys pinged for holding on, and Munster have a penalty on halfway. O'Gara turns down the shot at goal and punts up to deep inside the Ospreys 22.
74mins Munster do disrupt this lineout and it is dirty ball for Phillips. He is then turned over as he collects it! Superb stuff. O'Leary then quickly feeds O'Gara who punts it down to between the 10m line and the 22 and the Ospreys kick to touch.
73mins Another great lineout win at the tail - Davies throw again ideal - and the Ospreys move the ball out the wing and Fussell, who is downed easily. More big Munster tackles kill the Ospreys momentum further, but Phillips adds a touch with a dart up the middle, and Alun-Wyn Jones also gets them going forwards.
Hook eventually opts to kick long and almost puts it straight out but it bounces just infield and away from the touchline, and Murphy has to collect it and kick to touch - lineout Ospreys a yard or two outside the Munster 22.
72mins New man Denis Hurley catches another sweet O'Gara restart and from the ruck, O'Gara kicks a lovely long punt into touch in the Ospreys 22.
Hurley is in for Warwick.
71mins And the Ospreys will have a shot at goal - Barry Davies is the long kicker. From inside his own half and the middle of the field, he pulls it just right and wide.
70mins Penalty to Ospreys is given by Berdos - for offside by David Wallace. But a replay captures Paul O'Connell swinging an arm into Jonathan Thomas' face and O'Connell is sent off - a straight red card!
"He's pulling me back, I swung my arm, I barely touched him", pleads O'Connell.
And the replay would support that view.
69mins The restart is again messy, O'Gara hoisting it high and Donncha O'Callaghan gets under it, but it bounces into touch. Lineout Ospreys on their 10m line.
67mins Another Ospreys error. The lineout is won off the top and moved quickly to midfield, where Bishop drops it.
But the Ospreys get their own slice of luck this time, Wian Du Preez pinged for not accepting the pressure in the scrum.
Biggar nails the kick to keep his team in touch. John Hayes is coming in for Buckley. It's still a game.
Munster 22-16 Ospreys (Biggar pen)
65mins The game is settling down again, with the Ospreys back up to 15 men. The restart sequence ends when a long kick to Warwick is punted to touch by the full-back. Lineout Ospreys on the Munster 10m line.
62mins Ospreys again win good ball off the top but the move wide is disrupted by a Munster hand. And Munster's tackling is again causing real trouble.
And it's suddenly another Munster try! After a few big hits, Ospreys opt to kick high - Biggar putting it up.
It is tapped back by an Osprey hand but O'Leary is the man waiting for it and he gathers and zips into the Ospreys 22. There is almost nothing in behind to defend the Osprey line, and with one man to beat and lots of options, he passes to Johne Murphy, who runs in the try, which O'Gara converts.
Munster 22-13 Ospreys (Murphy try, O'Gara conv)
60mins O'Connell's first act is to dive on a bouncing ball in his own 22 as Munster again fail to deal with the restart. Munster kick long and it is returned to O'Gara, who marks it well near the 22m line. Alan Quinlan is also in.
O'Gara kicks to near half-way.
58mins Varley, O'Callaghan and Leamy have charges and David Wallace finally burrows over with support from two Munster colleagues! Berdos takes an age to get to the right place but he does not hesitate: try to Munster.
And O'Connell is now in, and O'Gara converts. Great minutes for Munster.
Munster 15-13 Ospreys (Wallace try, O'Gara conv)
56mins The first scrum collapses with Munster applying the pressure. The pitch is being ripped up by these scrums and it is moved across to fresh turf each time, it is near enough the posts. The second scrum also goes down. And the third time, Munster are told to use the ball. Coughlan has to pick and go.
Munster are on the attack.
55mins Duncan Jones replaces Jerry Collins in the Ospreys team - Munster have gone for another scrum.
55mins Munster elect for a scrum this time. Huge moment, they must score after turning down three points.
It is a huge scrum by Munster and they are given a penalty by Berdos. A move to the right does not work out and it is yellow card time! That's a result. Paul James has been binned.
And here comes Paul O'Connell.
54mins Munster win the lineout and maul it briefly before being knocked over. Varley and Buckley have goes at the line but a penalty is called by Berdos. Penalty to Munster.
The linesman then comes in to tell Berdos that Ryan Jones took the Munster jumper's legs. Penalty 15m from touch.
51mins Davies throw is excellent and Holah catches at the tail. Phillips then box kicks but it is caught and Leamy rips the ball and charges in to the Ospreys half. Holah almost nicks it on the deck but Munster have it still and run again through Wallace, O'Leary and Varley.
And the pressure tells, a terrific burst by Coughlan taking them well up into the Ospreys 22 and with the Ospreys scrambling. Coughlan bounced off a few men there and really got through some poor tackles. O'Gara then races onto O'Leary's pass and threatens but the move ends but it is a penalty to Munster 5m from the Ospreys line.
And Munster kick to touch as the crowd roars them on.
50mins The pattern of big tackling from Munster results in another Ospreys kick. Collins prod down the wing is collected by Warwick and he cleverly offloads to Murphy.
Munster run it back and Tutitupou makes a good charge up the middle. Warwick is back around again then to kick to touch - great stuff from the Aussie. The lineout is in Ospreys territory. Mefyn Daives is ow throwing in with Hibbard off.
49mins The lineout is again dodgy from the Ospreys but Coughlan's effort to catch Alun-Wyn Jones weak tap back is knocked forward. Ospreys scrum.
47mins Biggar kicks into the Munster half. The throw is near crooked but won by the Ospreys, who run Collins up the middle. Davies then has a run from the next ruck, but the Ospreys are not making ground with Munster tackling superbly on their 10m line.
After a good 10 phases. Biggar kicks over Howlett's head. He turns and gathers and passes to Warwick, who kicks to touch on the Munster 10m line. Here we go again.
45mins The Ospreys dominate the scrum this time, and Berdos gives them a penalty after a good 10m drive.
44mins Munster win the restart and again pin the Ospreys back in their own half, with an O'Gara kick. Phillips box kicks from the lineout and it is knocked on near the touchline and the Osprey7s 22m line.
40mins Great half coming up. Munster should be good enough to get on top and push their superiority home on the scoreboard.
Munster's kick off is again not claimed cleanly but the Ospreys grab it on the deck. Biggar kicks it long down the middle, where Warwick catches it and slips a tackle.
Wallace has a run and sets it up after some neat passing and it is moved to Howlett in the middle, who steps a man and races into the 22. He feeds Earls who is tackled immediately. It is moved right next, but Munster can't quite get an overlap to work. Varley sets it up and it is moved back across to Tuitupou. It is super rugby from Munster.
But Tommy Bowe puts an end to the sequence with a brilliant intercept, picking off Tuitupou's long pass and racing the length of the field for a score under the posts! Lethal stuff from the Monaghan flyer.
Munster 8-13 Ospreys (Bowe try, Biggar conv)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Half-time: We're blushing. And we have slightly more faith in Qatar. C'Mon Munster is the general sentiment.
Daithi (via e-mail): Reading text from football fields in Rock Hill South Carolina USA. C'Mon Munster.
Anthony (via e-mail): Munster supporter enjoying the game online from my home in Washington DC. You guys give great commentary. Thank you.
Brian (via e-mail): Yes lads, seriously, Qatar will be able to host the World Cup and it'll be the best one you'll ever see... be prepared to be amazed.
40mins From the touchline, O'Gara makes no mistake, putting it over to grab the lead at the very end of the half.
Munster 8-6 Ospreys (O'Gara pen)
38mins The Munster scrum gets on top again, and under massive pressure, the Ospreys work it to Biggar, who just about gets it to the 22 and touch. But the lineout yields another penalty to Munster; an Osprey again taking a Munster jumper out in the air.
O'Gara will have another kick at goal - last action of the half.
37mins Munster hammer through the Ospreys scrum, which totally disintegrates, Adam Jones popping out the side. Munster move it to Tuitupou, who releases Warwick with a sweet pass and he is again in space. Bowe just prevents him from kicking through for a try chance by shoving the Australian, and Warwick knocks it on instead.
36mins The Ospreys again win good lineout ball but a knock on by Collins, eyeing up a charge at O'Gara, hands the ball back to Munster. Scrum inside their own half.
34mins O'Gara's 22 is high and Coughlan gets there and taps back, and Munster win it on the deck through O'Gara.
Munster again run their big men at the Ospreys. They move wide next and Warwick feeds Earls, who has a cut.
But the Ospreys again turn it over - Alun Wyn Jones doing the damage after an error by O'Leary - and quickly knock a cross field kick for Bowe. James Coughlan just gets there in time to prevent a try though, and he feeds Warwick, who punts to the safety of touch.
32mins The Opsreys win that lineout and move it all the way across the backline, where Jerry Collins jogs over a poor Keith Earls tackles and charges into the Munster 22. The Ospreys set it up there and quickly get another penalty. From out near the touchline, Biggar just misses to the right.
31mins The Ospreys kick the 22 long and Warwick returns it high. The Ospreys catch it and set it. Davies picks and goes and from the tackle, Varley is - rightly - pinged for not rolling away. Davies punts to the Munster 22.
30mins But O'Gara's kicking is off again, and it is another miss: a push to the right of the sticks.
28mins The scrum is messy again. The Ospreys power through the Munstermen, driving five yards before Berdos gives them a free kick. Biggar kicks it long to Johne Murphy who runs it back. A dodgy pass almost gifts an intercept to the Ospreys and Munster fail to control the ball, and give up a turnover.
The Ospreys move it across their backline well inside their own half until Ryan Jones is tackled. But some illegal rucking - going off their feet - hands Munster a penalty 10 yards outside the Ospreys 22.
26mins Terrific lineout by Munster, it is thrown to the tail by Varley and delivered off the top to O'Leary, who moves it to the backs. Earls smashes up the middle and makes ground. A quick ruck and a sweet pass sees Paul Warwick released to make good yards down the left.
The next ruck sees the ball moved back across the middle to Earls, who is tackled by two forwards. That ball is tied up and Berdos calls for a scrum on the Ospreys 22.
24mins The Ospreys lineout goes wrong this time, Hibbard's wobbly throw gifting a scrum to Munster. This time, Munster do get the penalty from Berdos. He has said that the Ospreys props are driving down towards the ground and in. O'Gara punts the penalty up into the Ospreys half.
23mins Another messy lineout is won by Buckley. Munster set it up but O'Leary is charged down by Ryan Jones. The ball goes to Howlett, who runs it back. O'Gara then fakes a kick and runs, and is also tackled.
Finally, Warwick clears to near the 10m line and touch.
21mins The scrum is taking an age and Berdos calls a penalty, turning one way as though for Munster and then raising his arm for the Ospreys. Phillips ignores the debate and taps and goes, moving wide and right.
But the Ospreys spill that ball and Munster run it back. Their attack also goes nowhere and ends with a lineout to Munster near the 22 after a stray pass is knocked out of play.
20mins O'Callaghan secures simple ball at two but Munster make a mess of the next phase, Varley knocking it on as he tried to rip the ball and run at the Ospreys.
19mins Munster win that scrum and O'Gara prods another kick down towards Davies, who collects it and boots to touch. Lineout to Munster on halfway.
17mins The Ospreys win the lineout and then run Bishop up the middle. He sets it up and after that ruck, Hook kicks, but it is charged down as well. Bowe claims the ball for the Welsh side though and they attack again. However, a move involving Biship move goes wrong and a forward pass is called on halfway.
Scrum Munster.
16mins The 22 is caught by Earls and then moved wide, where O'Gara sets Wallace running. Buckley and Varley make yards next but O'Gara looks to chip and is charged down, allowing the Ospreys to recover the ball and clear through Phillps.
Munster counter through Tuitupou and his run excites the crowd but then he gets bundled to touch by Biggar and Bowe. Ospreys lineout on their 10m line.
15mins Ospreys win the restart and Davies kicks long to O'Gara, who hoists the return high and chases it. Biggar catches and is then tackled by the Irish out-half. The Ospreys look to run but drop the next ball forward and Keith Earls gathers and sets it up. Munster go on the attack again, David Wallace running at the Ospreys.
On the 10m line, Berdos calls the Ospreys for not releasing the Wallace once he hit the ground - Hibbard at fault.
But O'Gara misses the kick to leave the Ospreys a point in front.
12mins From dead in front, and just beyond the 22, Biggar slots the kick over.
Munster 5-6 Ospreys (Biggar pen)
11mins Quick chance for the Ospreys to respond, they win the restart and get a penalty for Varley coming in the side of a ruck.
9mins Munster win that scrum and O'Gara probes the channel between the wing and full-back Davies with a low kick. Davies collects and punts back to near half-way.
Munster win the lineout there and Leamy has a charge. Coughlan and Buckley go next before O'Leary and Howlett combine for a brilliant try!
Ospreys left wing Richard Fussell gave Munster the chance by coming up flat and leaving lots of room in behind. Davies did not cover across and O'Leary popped a lovely kick for Howlett, who gathered and scored.
Munster 5-3 Ospreys (Howlett try)
8mins Ospreys get a free kick at this scrum for an early engage. Phillips taps and go and quickly make 15 yards but they get in each other's way to give away a free kick. Scrum Munster on half-way.
5-7mins Munster get a break, winning the lineout and then winning a penalty for Ospreys prop Adam Jones interfering with the jumper. O'Gara kicks the penalty up to just outside the Munster 22.
The lineout is won scrappily and O'Leary box kicks. Again, it is not collected and a Munster boot following up prods it further down the wing where Fussell collects. Hook kicks that ball and again, Munster return a high kick.
James Coughlan then makes a play, tackling Hook round his ankles. Hook's attempted offload to Holah is judged forward. Scrum Munster in the Ospreys half.
4 mins Ospreys in that with a tap to Phillips who kicks it high down the wing. It bounces but Munster gather and O'Gara puts up a high kick of his own. Phillips takes that one, and passes to Barry Davies, who punches a superb kick into touch from the half-way line into touch on the Munster 5m line.
3mins Munster benefit from sloppy restart work this time, snatching a loose ball on the Ospreys 10m line. Tuitupou crashes up a ball next but Munster turned over and Phillips kicks to Howlett.
Munster show some intent then, Howlett running it back and O'Gara spreading the next ball wide. The attacking options diminish though, and O'Gara's next move is a prodded kick into touch in the Ospreys half.
2mins It is a penalty to the Ospreys immediately, Christophe Berdos deciding Munster have collapsed the scrum. Munster retreated a yard after the engage and then went down - looked like they did not accept the pressure.
The packs then get involved in a wrestling match which Berdos breaks up eventually. 'Calm down' says the French man. No chance.
The kick is good from Biggar: straight through the middle of the posts from a tough position.
Munster 0-3 Ospreys (Biggar pen)
1min Ospreys kick-off, Dan Biggar switching to the right for his backs and away from the Munster forwards. It is knocked on by a Munster hand.
Ospreys scrum inside the Munster 10m line.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shout out to Brian in Qatar (via e-mail):
"Tuning in from Doha in sunny Qatar. C'mon Munster."
Enjoy the game Brian. Also, can you let us know if Qatar will seriously be able to hold the World Cup!?
Kick off in a minute.
12.55 Kick-off is a few minutes away now - the choir is doing its best to get the crowd going for this Sunday afternoon kick-off and there's a few Ospreys about the place as well.
I mentioned Lee Byrne's absence already; but Shane Williams is also out for the Ospreys. In a very late change, Tom Prydie has replaced Nikki Walker on the bench (number 23).
12.40 Kick-off is 20 minutes away in the first of today's live games: it's a fresh, bright, clear day in Limerick with perfect conditions for rugby at Thomond Park.
The Munster team includes club captain Paul O'Connell on the bench and his first Heineken Cup involvement should give them a lift. Tomas O'Leary is also back in Munster red after a long lay-off due to a hand injury.
For the Ospreys, Marty Holah has been passed fit to play. Mike Phillips, Dan Biggar, James Hook and Tommy Bowe are the big names in the backline, while full-back Barry Davies can expect a severe test at Thomond Park.
Munster: P Warwick; D Howlett, K Earls, S Tuitupou, J Murphy; R O'Gara, T O'Leary; W du Preez, D Varley, T Buckley; D O'Callaghan, M O'Driscoll; J Coughlan, D Wallace, D Leamy (capt).
Replacements: M Sherry, Darragh Hurley, J Hayes, P O'Connell, A Quinlan, P Stringer, L Mafi, Denis Hurley
Ospreys: Barry Davies; Tommy Bowe, Andrew Bishop, James Hook, Richard Fussell; Dan Biggar, Mike Phillips; Paul James, Richard Hibbard, Adam Jones, Ryan Jones, Alun Wyn Jones (capt), Jerry Collins, Marty Holah, Jonathan Thomas.
Replacements: Mefin Davies, Duncan Jones, Craig Mitchell, Ian Gough, Justin Tipuric/Tom Smith, Jamie Nutbrown, Sonny Parker, Nikki Walker.
