mens
United-Rugby-Championship
Munster player ratings: On the half hour, Munster looked set for another famous scalp in this match. They defended with tremendous determination, punished Leinster’s indiscipline and repeatedly found ways to frustrate a side that had almost all the territory and possession.
Gavin Coombes was huge, Charlie O’Shea played like a veteran and Craig Casey was buzzing about everything. But when Leinster’s relentless pressure finally told and the substitutes arrived, Munster were unanswered in a 24-18 defeat that was much tighter than the final scoreline suggests.
15. Ben O’Connor – 6.5
Difficult evening. Leinster consistently found a change in his neck of the woods and repeatedly pressured him under the high ball and swing changes. Coughed up territory and possession in several key moments. He took his late effort well but couldn’t make up for a poor performance.
14. Shay McCarthy – 5
Peaceful exit. Opportunities were scarce and he never really imposed himself on the proceedings. Missed too many tackles and looked a little green when covering in the backfield.
13. Seán O’Brien – 8
Before HIA ended his game late in the first half, he was excellent. Linked up impressively with his outside back and produced the match break for Munster’s try, somehow surviving a big hit long enough to free Casey, who then sent over Shane Daly. A classy display on his 50th Munster appearance.
12. Alex Nankivell – 7
They repeatedly tried to poke holes through Leinster’s midfield and were generally part of a center partnership that outplayed their opposite numbers for much of the first half. Clever play from Gibson-Park earned him a penalty for wandering offside, and his yellow card leaves its mark on an otherwise decent game.
11. Shane Daly – 7.5
Good in flashes. He made a wonderful touchline intervention to link up Tommy O’Brien in touch to score a well worked try in the first half. Unfortunately, he also missed matches and saw a painful end to his evening on the ambulance.
10. Charlie O’Shea – 7
Like a duck to water in Irish rugby’s fiercest rivalry. He took the fight to Leinster with ball in hand, kicked his own goals, managed the territory well and never looked terrified on the occasion. An impressive outing for the rookie, even if he faded a bit into the background in his second forties.
9. Craig Casey – 8
His service in greasy conditions was extremely sharp. He directed traffic smartly, supported O’Brien brilliantly for Daly’s try and was alive throughout. One of Munster’s best before departing after 64 minutes.
1. Josh Wycherley – 7.5
Won a great Jackal penalty under pressure in his own 22 and stood up well physically throughout. Another strong move from the loose head.
2. Marnus van der Merwe – 6
Solid without being outstanding. His line-up has worked well enough thanks in large part to Coombes’ work as a target, but Munster would probably like to see a bit more impact from the Springbok whore.
3. Kieran Brookes – 7
Summer arrival from Toulon it still looks like a sneaky addition. Earned a penalty from Ryan’s high ball and shot effectively. His off-the-ball shoulder on Kelleher was coach killer though and shifted the momentum Leinster’s way. Overall decent before it gets going.
4. Fineen Wycherley – 7.5
Impressive again. He brought a lot of physicality and work rate, which contributed strongly to a Munster pack that gave Leinster problems in the long run.
5. Tadhg Beirne – 7
Busy, but quietly efficient. He didn’t dominate the headlines, but he kept popping up where Munster needed him most. Trouble at the breakdown all evening and led to a crucial turnaround at Carbery after the threatening break.
6. Jack O’Donoghue – 5.5
Sound in defence, but never really got into the contest. Big games need big players to create game-changing moments, and he largely wandered through the proceedings.
7. Alex Kendellen – 7
Levels of brain rotation in the fight against results. He seemed to fold anything in blue that moved and comfortably crossed the 20 move mark. Once lost possession in contact after clearing Van der Flier’s shot, but otherwise extremely diligent.
8. Gavin Coombes – 8.5
Outstanding. Won multiple suffocating penalties, relieved pressure multiple times and was excellent as a lineup option. His constant absence from Ireland the teams look wilder. Munster’s best player by a long shot.
Substitutions – 5
Unlike Leinster’s bench, Munster’s substitutes failed to change the trajectory of the contest. Gordon Wood deserves credit after making a key defensive intervention shortly after coming on, but overall the impact was not there. Seán Edogbo, so influential against Race 92 a week ago, he struggled to make his mark as Leinster squeezed the life out of the game.
