Edinburgh out-gun Munster despite spirited comeback

URC: Munster 28, Edinburgh 34

The first half was the worst I have seen from Munster for some time. They were torn to shreds by the Scottish visitors who completely out-played their hosts and made ground with almost every attack. Edinburgh out-half Ross Thompson was having the game of his life and he had scored ten points in the first 24 minutes. The out-half got the first score of the entertaining game, comfortly popping over a penalty decision but Munster fought back with an Alex Nankivell try that was converted by Billy Burns to put the home side 7-3 in front. Edinburgh then started on a scoring spree which had Munster reeling. It started with out-half Thompson contributing that well taken try and conversion and winger Matt Currie going over for the first of his hat-trick. Currie hammered another nail in the home side’s coffinnear the break, followed by a Magnus Bradbury try that put Edinburgh in the driving seat at 7-29 after 40 minutes.

Munster needed an early score as the second half started and it came from Alex Nankivell to reduce the lead to 14-29. With Munster struggling at scrum time Currie again scored to make it  14-34. Munster did not give up and they were rewarded when Ben O’Connor raced over and Tony Butler converted to give the home side hope at 21-34 and they clawed a losing bonus point from this otherwise disappointing performance when Sean O’Brien streaked over on the right wing and Billy Burns converted with the last play of the game.

It will be interesting to hear what the Munster coaches thought of this first half performance. Their side were tipped to win but they were completely destroyed by the Scots until the last quarter. Considering recent signings, this was a poor showing. 

Munster: Ben O’Connor (Highfield RFC/PBC), Calvin Nash (Young Munster RFC/Crescent College Comp), Tom Farrell (Coolmine RFC/Castleknock College), Alex Nankivell (Christchurch Boys High School), Shay McCarthy (Richmond RFC/St Munchin’s College), Billy Burns (Beechen Cliff), Ethan Coughlan (Ennis RFC), Josh Wycherley (Bantry Bay RFC/Cistercian College Roscrea), Niall Scannell (PBC), John Ryan (Muskerry RFC/CBC), Evan O’Connell (UL Bohemian RFC/Castletroy College), Fineen Wycherley (Bantry Bay RFC/Cistercian College Roscrea), Tom Ahern ((Youghal RFC/Dungarvan RFC/Waterpark RFC), John Hodnett (Clonakilty RFC), Brian Gleeson (Thurles RFC/Rockwell College)
Replacements: Diarmuid Barron (Cashel RFC/Rockwell College), Mark Donnelly (Midleton RFC), Stephen Archer (Cork Constitution FC), Ruadhán Quinn (Ballina-Killaloe RFC), Alex Kendellen (PBC), Paddy Patterson (Blackrock College), Tony Butler (Ennis RFC), Seán O’Brien (Mullingar RFC)
Edinburgh Rugby: Wes Goosen (Old Boys University), Matt Currie (Merchiston Castle/Dumfries Saints), James Lang (RGC/London Irish Amateurs), Mosese Tuipulotu (South District Pirate), Ross McCann (Melrose RFC), Ross Thompson (Stewart’s Melville), Ben Vellacott (CAPT) (Barnstable RFC), Boan Venter (High School de Aar), Ewan Ashman (Sandbach RFC), Paul Hill (Doncaster Knights), Marshall Sykes (Ayr RFC/ Woodbridge), Sam Skinner (Topsham RFC), Luke Crosbie (Currie RFC), Ben Muncaster (North Berwick), Magnus Bradbury (Oban Lorne RFC)
Replacements: Paddy Harrison (Peebles RFC), Robin Hislop (Langholm RFC), D’arcy Rae (Marr RFC), Glen Young (Jed Forest), Hamish Watson (Edinburgh Academicals), Ali Price (West Norfolk RFC/ Wisbech Grammar), Cammy Scott (Boroughmuir RFC), Mark Bennett (Cumnock RFC)
Virgin Media Park, Cork –
Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR, 36th league game)
AR 1: Andrew Cole (IRFU) AR 2: Chris Lough (IRFU)
TMO: Stefano Penne (FIR)

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