Limerick Rugby

Munster carve out crucial win over Stade Francais

Munster 33, Stade Francais 7

AN emphatic result tonight in a cold Thomond Park as a weak French side never looked like turning the tables on the home side in this Investec opener. Reduced to 13 players in the second half the visitors seldom troubled the home province who added 19 more points in the second half after leading by 14-0 at the end of the first 40 minutes.  Aided by a strong wind in the second half Stade enjoyed almost constant possession when  reduced to 13 and to their credit 

Stade were firsto show their skill with Charles Laloi making a fine break but it was Munster who dictated the pace in the opening phases. They got a golden chance with Calvin Nash all alone on the left flank and near the goal line but Shane Daly failed to complete the vital pass. With 14 minutes played Munster camped on the visitors’ 22 and this time they were rewarded, Thaakir Abrahams, getting over near the corner flag and Crowley split the posts with the tricky conversion..

The home defence continually frustrated the French who took 22 minutes to force their way to their opponents 22. A kick through from Casey relieved pressure and just as  it was beginning to show that Munster needed another score it arrived in style, Shane Daly marking his 100th cap and Crowley’s conversion brought the score to 14-0 after 31 minutes. The  home side could have added to their tally with the clock in the red but after a series of pick and drives the referee pointed to the dressingroom.  Half time 14-0.

Stade had the benefit of the wind in the second period and they failed to put a score  on the board despite good possession during the opening  minutes. Munster stubbornly refused to give them any space and when their number 4, Pierre-Henri Azagoh was shown red Alex Kendellen forced his way over at the Ballynanty end, Crowley made it three conversions in a row and  it was ‘game over’ at 21-0. Worse was to come for the French side when Baptiste Pesenti was also shown red. On 54 minutes Munster struck again, Tom Farrell raced over converted by Crowley to bring the tally to 28-0.

Stade replied on 58 minutes,  Clement Castets getting in for try converted by Zack Henry, to put their first score on the board but at the finish Gavin Coombes romped over and Jack Crowley this time missed the target.

Munster: 15. Shane Daly, 14. Calvin Nash, 13. Tom Farrell, 12. Alex Nankivell, 11. Thaakir Abrahams, 10. Jack Crowley, 9. Craig Casey, 1. Dian Bleuler, 2. Diarmuid Barron (c), 3. John Ryan, 4. Evan O’Connell, 5. Fineen Wycherley, 6. Peter O’Mahony, 7. Alex Kendellen, 8. Gavin Coombes
Replacements: 16. Niall Scannell, 17. Kieran Ryan, 18. Stephen Archer, 19. Tadhg Beirne, 20. John Hodnett, 21. Paddy Patterson, 22. Billy Burns, 23. Jack O’Donoghue.
Stade Francais Paris 15. Joe Jonas, 14. Charles Laloi, 13. Joe Marchant, 12. Pierre Boudehent, 11. Samuel Ezeala, 10. Zack Henry, 9. Thibaut Motassi, 1. Clement Castets, 2. Lucas Peyresblanques, 3. Francisco Gomez Kodela, 4. Pierre-Henri Azagoh, 5. Baptiste Pesenti, 6. Pierre Huguet, 7. Ryan Chapuis (c), 8. Yoan Tanga
Replacements: 16. Luka Petriashvili, 17. Moses Alo-Emile, 18. Paul Alo-Emile, 19. Setareki Turagacoke, 20. Andy Timo, 21. Juan Martin Scelzo, 22. Louis Foursans-Bourdette, 23. Louis Carbonel

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