More Munster magic in the Champions Cup saw Ian Costello's side topple La Rochelle in the Stade Marcel Deflandre.
In glorious conditions for offloading and attacking continuity, Munster weathered an early storm. They conceded a try in the opening exchanges, only to be saved by the touchline-grazing Teddy Thomas’s boot.
La Rochelle didn’t stop there. They scored with some unstoppable offloading through the heart of Munster’s defence. At the same time Munster were failing to put phases together. It wasn’t clear how Munster would get a handle on the game. La Rochelle had the ultimate control of the game.
However, Ihaia West gave Munster a lifeline, receiving a yellow card for a high tackle on Sean O’Brien and minutes later Craig Casey scored from a Thaakir Abrahams counterattack.
Abrahams is a player that was signed for these types of days. In the past, Munster have struggled for genuine game-breakers when battling against the top European teams. La Rochelle have been in shaky form, failing to win in their last nine games now. However, they still have a squad that has won this competition twice.
Every squad needs someone that can spark something from almost nothing. The footwork of Abraham’s, combined with speed, awareness and pass accuracy rewarded Casey’s positive, upfield support line for a try to put Munster back in the game.
Unfortunately, Abrahams (above) is a major injury doubt this week for Munster’s fast turnaround in Bordeaux. He came off injured and was being further assessed on the sideline. It didn’t look great for his chances of making the next round.
Munster didn’t have control for many periods of the game. Yet what they showed was a hunger, desire and belief to beat a Munster-influenced French side in the sun.
La Rochelle will regret their poor execution in attack. Thomas left Munster off the hook, with almost 15 metres of diagonal space to run into to cross the tryline. Instead, he opted to step back into where two Munster forwards were desperately covering across the pitch. Had the winger backed himself to score in the corner, the game would most likely have swung the other way. With the potency in the Bordeaux attack, Munster won’t be given the same lifeline next week.
Munster’s half-backs had a game to remember. The strong connection between Casey and Jack Crowley is obvious. Casey is full of energy, but it never takes away from his game management. He landed box-kicks in the perfect area for Munster to get turnovers. Crowley is a tactician, while still making individual plays. Munster are blessed with a serious combination.
Their wingers were also outstanding. Andrew Smith, despite his yellow card, was zipping around throwing himself into everything. Calvin Nash was in menacing form too, even earning a jackal penalty just after half-time to level the game at 10-10. Both worked off their wing to add to the Munster fight.
Gavin Coombes (above) had one of his most memorable moments for Munster, bagging his 50th try for the province with a block down on West, before accurately dribbling the ball left footed over the line to put Munster in the unexpected ascendency in the second half.
Munster had La Rochelle rattled at that stage. A short side attack with crisp handling forced Dillyn Leyds into an uncomfortable position and his slap down earned him a yellow card. Munster delivered once again, they attacked the narrow side of the maul, Casey turned provider this time for Smith to score a deserved try.
Tadhg Beirne led Munster impeccably. He disrupted everything in sight, finishing with four turnovers. He came up with big play after big play. For any team to punch above their weight, you need individuals to have massive moments throughout the game and that is why Beirne is Munster’s captain.
When La Rochelle finally crossed the line through a penalty try in the maul, Crowley stepped up in a familiar fashion. Clear direction, composure and confidence, he slotted a drop-goal to extend Munster’s lead to two scores, just minutes after La Rochelle’s hard-earned try.
It was a sucker punch for the home side and done so calmly by Crowley. Among many match-winning moments for Munster, this was the one that would see them hang on for a well-deserved victory.
The whole squad played a part in the memorable day, but there were standout performances from Abrahams, Casey, Crowley and Beirne (above).
The reward for Munster is to return to France next week to take on Bordeaux. It’s a cruel compensation for such a victory. Bordeaux didn’t even play a full side and have more power and danger than La Rochelle, when they turn it on.
Munster pulled on all their mental and physical reserves to get over the line in France. To do it all over again in a week seems like an uphill battle when the opposition can freshen their squad with genuine starters.
There will be another Munster narrative this weekend. Former Munster out-half Joey Carbery will be hoping for involvement in the star-studded French side, while Noel McNamara, a Clare native and former Ireland Under-20 head coach, is their attack coach.
Munster will be up against it yet again this weekend. They’ve proven what they’re capable of, but it will take another monumental effort to upset Bordeaux at home in the Champions Cup.
Watch Leinster v Glasgow Warriors in the Champions Cup on Friday from 7.35pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app
Watch Ireland v England in the Women’s Six Nations on Saturday from 4pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app. Listen to Saturday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1
