IT ebbed and flowed like any real classic tussle should, an Irish team against the English visitors on a sunny Saturday afternoon, but in the end, the class, determination and sheer dominance of those in red overcame the English challenge brought by the men of Northampton Saints and thus allowing Munster march in to their ninth Heineken Cup semi final to face Biarritz in San Sebastien on Sunday May 2.
Tries from Paul Warwick, after one minute, two from Doug Howlett and one from the inform Jean de Villiers allowed Munster to eventually take their final four spot in the most prestigious club rugby competition in Europe.
However, it was not without a scare as Munster’s early dominance was undone as the visitors easily scored a try through Jon Clarke on the stroke of half time with the precise kicking of Saints’ fly-half Stephen Myler bring them to their dressing room three points ahead of their hosts.
Safe to say there was something in the half time tea and sandwiches as Ronan O’Gara lead his charges on to the field after some stern words from head coach Tony McGahan clearly outlined the task to be completed. Thoughts of what happened a week earlier when Leinster scored in the dying minutes of the opening half were sure to be going through the minds and emotions of the 26,000 strong crowd packed in Thomond Park, but queue the masterclass display from Ronan O’Gara in the second half.
Saints’ head coach said that at half time it was something he noted to his players would happen.
“We came back into the game but in the second half Ronan O’Gara was fantastic. He’s a master at tactical kicking and he knows this field very well. We spoke about it at half-time but sometimes talking isn’t enough.”
That it was and as O’Gara pivoted the game from the no. 10 slot, his red army around him joined in the chorus and danced to the tune he lead.
Not to be undone, Tomas O’Leary echoed the role and leadership put forward by O’Gara and gave his own man of the match performance by setting up tries for de Villiers and Howlett in the second half as well as a decent display from the base of the scrum in the distribution of the ball to his back-line.
McGahan, after the game said he was immensely proud of his team and delighted that they now move on to the real business end of the competition.
In all, the display from the entire unit cemented Munster’s place in the final four and thus continues the Heineken Cup dream for the specialists. Spain is sunny this time of year and Biarritz await.
Half Time 13-16
Full Time 33-19
Attendance 26,043
Munster: P Warwick, D Howlett, K Earls, J de Villiers, I Dowling, R O’Gara (capt), T O’Leary, M Horan, J Flannery, J Hayes, D O’Callaghan, M O’Driscoll, A Quinlan, D Wallace, J Coughlan Replacements: D Varley, J Brugnaut, T Buckley, M O’Driscoll, N Williams, N Ronan, P Stringer, L Mafi
Northampton Saints: B Foden, C Ashton, J Clarke, J Downey, B Reihana, S Myler, L Dickson, S Tongauiha, D Hartley [capt], E Murray, C Lawes, J Kruger, P Dowson, N Best, R Wilson Replacements: B Sharman, R Dreyer, B Mujati, I Fernandez Lobbe, M Easter, A Dickens, S Geraghty, J Ansbro
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
