Munster face worrying days as Cardiff deserve victory
- Updated: 25/04/2025
Cardiff Rugby 24, Munster 21
AHEAD 12-14 at half time in tonight’s crucial URC game, Munster looked as if they would pull away in the second half. With Jack Crowley pulling the strings majestically at out-half, Craig Casey back to his usual high standard, Calvin Nash making a crucial try-saving tackle and Tom Farrell crashing over for a try on 50 minutes the 12-21 lead pointed to a winning bonus point. Then disaster struck. Jack O’Donoghue was sent off after engaging illegally at a rolling maul and after lengthy investigations by the TMO referee Gianluca Gnuecchi awarded a penalty try that saw Cardiff now only two points in arrears at 19-21 with 54 minutes played.
That decision appeared to knock the confidence off Munster. They tried hard to set up areas of attack but this Cardiff team stuck to their work and consistently prevented a further score. On 62 minutes the crucial moment arrived and once again it was the home pack that took the credit, scrum half Johan Mulder touching down with ease after another well structured maul. Josh Adams was successful with the conversion. Now leading 24-21, and urged on by their capacity home attendance. Munster were in trouble but in their favour they tried to battle back in the dying minutes. They succeeded in getting into scoring distance with the last play of the game but it was not to be, knocking on the ball to the delight of the Cardiff fans. As from tonight Cardiff are 5th in the table with Munster in 7th thanks to a bonus point with two rounds remaining.
The first half was an entertaining affair and after seven minutes Cardiff got over the line but the score was disallowed by the TMO. Munster responded and they went into the lead after 13 minutes when Calvin Nash got over unopposed at the other end of the ground and Jack Crowley landed the conversion. The visitors had the edge at the scrums and their defence was superb as Cardiff were frustrated any time they set up a promising attack but Munster were reduced to 14 when Fineen Wycherley was shown yellow after 23 minutes. Cardiff availed of the extra man and Gabe Hamer raced over
Cardiff Rugby: Cam Winnett; Josh Adams, Harri Millard, Ben Thomas, Gabe Hamer-Webb; Callum Sheedy, Johan Mulder; Danny Southworth, Liam Belcher (C), Keiron Assiratti Josh McNally, Teddy Williams, James Botham, Thomas Young, Taulupe Faletau
Replacements: Evan Lloyd, Corey Domachowski, Rhys Litterick, Rory Thornton, Alun Lawrence, Ben Donnell, Aled Davies, Tinus de Beer
Munster: Mike Haley; Calvin Nash, Tom Farrell, Alex Nankivell, Thaakir Abrahams; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey; Michael Milne, Niall Scannell, John Ryan; Fineen Wycherley, Tadhg Beirne (C); Jack O’Donoghue, Alex Kendellen, Gavin Coombes
Replacements: Diarmuid Barron, Mark Donnelly, Ronan Foxe, Jean Kleyn, Ruadhán Quinn, Paddy Patterson, Tony Butler, Seán O’Brien
Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff – KO 19.35 IRE & UK / 20.35 ITA / 20.35 SA
Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR, 39th league game)
AR 1: Mike English (WRU) AR 2: Aaron Parry (WRU)
TMO: Stefano Roscini (FIR)
Live on: BBC Wales, TG4, Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv
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