Big guns guide clinical champs to victory

REIGNING champions Munster punished the Ospreys with two tries in a clinical ten-minute spell after the break to get the defence of their title off to a winning start at St Helen’s.

The home side had led 6-3 at the end of a try-less first half, but the power of the Munster pack, and the cultured boot of scrum-half James Hart, kept the visitors on the front foot throughout the second 40.

Head coach Peter Malone had eight players who had helped Munster beat Jersey in last year’s final and an experienced half-back pairing in James Hart and JJ Hanrahan. They made the difference between the two teams.

Malone said: “We gave away nine penalties in the first half and discipline was a major problem. The Ospreys defence was very good and had they taken their opportunities, would have put us under even greater pressure.”

Phil Jones kicked two of his three penalty shots in the first half and Hanrahan was on target with one of his two. The Munster fly-half also pulled down Jones inches short to save a try.

In the second half hooker Kevin O’Bryne and flanker Gavin Coombes smashed their way over from close range to punish two poor defensive lineouts by the Ospreys. Replacement prop John Poland added a third three minutes from time.

“Munster are a really good side, but we didn’t help ourselves,” said Ospreys coach Tom Smith.