Northampton pip Munster in nail-biting Investec classic

Northampton 34, Munster 32

THIS has to be one of the best games of the season so far. It was 12-15 to Munster after a most entertaining opening 40 minutes and the second half was eagerly awaited. Northampton had started well and after 13 minutes they took the lead when winger Tom Seabrook touched down far out. The conversion was missed. With Conor Murray and Jack Crowley dictating matters, Munster went into a deserved lead, Murray’s clever kick putting Calvin Nash over and Crowley converting to make it 5-7. Crowley then converted a penalty to put the Province 5-10 to the good on 28 minutes and a second try for Calvin Nash pushed the score to 5-15 coming into the last plays of the first half whistle. Northampton staged a determined onslaught and they were rewarded when Curtis Langdon got on the end of a maul and Fin Smith added the extras to send the sides in with Munster leading 12-5.

The second period was tense with both sets of players giving their full effort and Northampton went into the lead for the first time, Tom Seabrook scoring his second try that put his side 17-15 in front and when full-back James Ramm raced over for a spectacular touchdown the lead was increased to 24-15 on 54 minutes. Munster replied with a penalty by Crowley but his opposite number, Fin Smith, popped over a three pointer to make it 27-18 going into the final quarter. Munster once again showed their ability to open the Saint’s defence and the impressive Kilgallen got in after a cheeky back pass, Crowley converted and it was now 27-25 to the home side.

The final minutes were thrilling and dramatic with Tom Seabrook grounding his third try, converted by Smith, to increase the lead to 34-25 but Munster staged another attack. Kilgallen touched down, Crowley added the extras and with the game in the red and the score standing at 34-32 to the Saints, Ian Costelloe’s boys worked the ball into the opposition’s half thanks to a series of pass and drives in a last late bid for a dramatic victory. Munster were in drop goal territory but with the try line in sight, Northampton forced a turnover and they cleared the ball into touch to bring what was a fantastic game of rugby to an end.

Northampton Saints: 15. James Ramm, 14. Tommy Freeman, 13. Fraser Dingwall (c), 12. Rory Hutchinson, 11. Tom Seabrook, 10. Fin Smith, 9. Alex Mitchell, 1. Tarek Haffar, 2. Curtis Langdon, 3. Trevor Davison, 4. Alex Coles, 5. Tom Lockett, 6. Josh Kemeny, 7. Tom Pearson, 8. Juarno Augustus

Replacements: 16. Henry Walker, 17. Tom West, 18. Luke Green, 19. Callum Hunter-Hill, 20. Angus Scott-Young, 21. Henry Pollock, 22. Tom James, 23. Tom Litchfield.

Munster Rugby 15. Mike Haley, 14. Calvin Nash, 13. Tom Farrell, 12. Rory Scannell, 11. Diarmuid Kilgallen, 10. Jack Crowley, 9. Conor Murray, 1. Dian Bleuler, 2. Diarmuid Barron, 3. Oli Jager, 4. Fineen Wycherley, 5. Tadhg Beirne (c), 6. Peter O’Mahony, 7. Alex Kendellen, 8. Gavin Coombes