IMPERFECT BUT I’LL TAKE THAT
Munster boss van Graan delighted with win at Welford Road
Leicester
16
Munster
25 MUNSTER head coach Johann van Graan feels his team have taken a major step forward in their development after beating Leicester at Welford Road.
It means the province completed back-to-back wins over the Tigers and take firm control of Pool Four of the Champions Cup with three wins and a draw from their four games.
Out-half Ian Keatley kicked six penalties with CJ Stander diving over from close range for a crucial second half try.
For Leicester, Mathew Tait’s try had given them an early advantage but ill-discipline cost them as Munster scored 10 points while Dan Cole was in the sin-bin.
“It was a great night for Munster. This was always going to be a massive game not only for the Champions Cup but the growth of this team,” van Graan said.
“Obviously we knew it was a mammoth task to come here and pull off a victory. We did a lot of research on the game last year and what happened.
“Winning away in the fourth round, I’m very happy with that performance, it wasn’t perfect at all but we’ll take this win.
“We knew there was going to be a lot of pressure on us. We conceded that early try but the brilliant thing is we planned for situations and we got that penalty straight back.
SATURDAY’S RD-UP We went behind again but were very happy with the lead at half-time. The way we defended our line. I was very happy with that.”
With Leicester missing out on a losing bonus point, their qualification hopes are all but over.
But the returns of Manu
Tuilagi and Matt Tooma were a small consolation for head coach Matt O’connor.
“It was an enormous shift from Manu Tuilagi and Matt Toomua to play 80 minutes of
POOL 4
that intensity. Massive congratulations need to go to the two boys and the medical staff,” he said.
“To come back off the back of significant lay-offs and put in 80-minute performances like they did is exceptional.
“There were probably enough opportunities to win the game, we applied a lot of pressure in the last third and had enough chances to win it but full credit to Munster, they deserved the win.”