MUNSTER and Leinster played themselves to a standstill in yesterday’s (Saturday) thrilling URC encounter at a heaving Aviva Stadium.
The understrength visitors, sorely missing Peter O’Mahony, Jack O’Donoghue, Joey Carbery, and RG Snyman, ultimately lost out 21-16.
Munster raced into a 0-10 lead thanks to a Craig Casey try, with the extras and a penalty from Jack Crowley.
Leinster hit back with two converted tries to lead 14-10 at the break before Crowley reduced the deficit to one point with another penalty.
Munster had some good opportunities after this but were unable to take them and Leinster pushed the lead out to 21-13 with another converted try.
Crowley then added another penalty to secure a losing bonus point.
“We could have won the game if it wasn’t for a few errors from us but that’s some performance. That’s a massive game that we’ve put in there,” was the immediate reaction of Munster coach Graham Rowntree to RTÉ Sport.
“Where was it won and lost? I thought it was a hell of a game.
“We will look at ourselves, our composure, when we get near the opposition try line.We were held for a goal line drop out early in the game and if we had scored there it changes the context of the next quarter.
“There’s elements of the third quarter as well that we will look at what we can do better on the opposition try line, look at those chances and where we can make better decisions.
“But that was a proper team, 50,000 people at the Aviva, and I’m immensely proud of our performance.”
Holders Munster, now eighth in the table, host leaders Glasgow Warriors at Musgrave Park on Friday from 7.35pm.
