Munster overpower Ospreys at Thomond Park

The Irish province were in simply scintillating form, running in four tries in total, with Keith Earls helping himself to a brace and Paul Warwick and Paul O’Connell scoring one apiece.

Ronan O’Gara did not miss a kick on goal all afternoon, ending with 17 points to his name, while man of the match Warwick also contributed six points with the boot, the

The Ospreys had proven competitive in the opening half hour but ultimately had no answer to Munster’s all-round magnificence and managed just three penalties from James Hook by way of a response to the home side’s onslaught.

James Hook might have kicked The Ospreys ahead on six minutes after Lifeimi Mafi was penalized at the ruck, but he sent his seemingly straight-forward kick to the left and wide.

Munster had a try that might have been allowed in the days before TMOs ruled out on 12 minutes when David Wallace, helped by Paul O'Connell, charged over the line, but replays proved inconclusive over whether or not the ball had been grounded.

It mattered little though, as the resulting five-meter scrum went The Reds' way and it was left to O'Gara to convert the opening score of the game.

The visitors were level within two minutes, though, Munster caught offside at the ruck and Hook nailed his kick on this occasion, from just meters inside the halfway line.

O'Gara kicked the hosts back in front with another penalty on 19 minutes before Hook notched up his second wide of the afternoon by sending another kick wide of the posts moments later.

Tony McGahan's side slowly worked their way on top, however, and when Pal Warwick sent a fantastic kick forward - only to be knocked off the ball by Filo Tiatia - the advantage was made a numerical one, with the number eight sent to the touchline for ten.

Ospreys leveled matters when Donncha O'Callaghan was penalized for a collision with Mike Phillips, but the decisive moment came just six minutes later when good work from O'Leary and O'Connell saw Warwick turn back inside Alun Wyn-Jones and dive over.

Print

E-mail

Tweet