Hanrahan drop-goal goes wide so it’s a tie

MUNSTER full-back Mike Haley insisted they were thrilled to secure a draw even though his side should have beaten Racing 92 at the death in another epic at Thomond Park.

Finn Russell and Teddy Thomas scored before Keith Earls hit back and Munster trailed 14-11 at half-time. Juan Imhoff pushed Racing further clear on the resumption only for Andrew Conway to cross in the 75th minute.

JJ Hanrahan produced a sublime touchline conversion to level matters but he then missed a drop-goal from close range in the 80th minute.

Nevertheless Haley was pleased his team fought back and avoided a devastating defeat in Pool 4.

“We were very happy to get ourselves back into the game. We got ourselves in a bit of a sticky situation,” said Haley.

“Racing are a classy side and we had a couple of great tries. JJ’s kick to even it up was unbelievable and we showed great resilience.”

Munster took the lead in the ninth minute when Conor Murray earned a penalty and Hanrahan slotted the kick.

Racing scored when Russell picked up the ball on the Munster 22, chipped through the legs of Rory Scannell and touched down. Teddy Iribaren kicked the conversion and the French were 7-3 in front at the end of the opening quarter.

Hanrahan scored a second penalty which was bettered when Thomas scored the second Racing try following an audacious chip over Haley. Iribaren’s conversion gave Racing a 14-6 lead.

Munster were desperate to score a try and they continually battered the Racing 22. They were held up after their initial drive but surged again and when Hanrahan was just about to touch down Zebo rescued the Top 14 outfit.

The pressure was briefly relieved when Russell cleared, but Hanrahan and Haley combined down the left to set up Earls who fended off Zebo to score. Hanrahan couldn’t convert as Racing 92 took a 14-11 lead into half-time.

Munster were level by the 47th minute when Hanrahan kicked his third penalty.

But one minute later Russell spotted a gap left by the hobbling Jeremy Loughman in midfield, and Imhoff ran off his left shoulder to finish under the posts. Iribaren added the conversion.

Munster fought back well, though, and Conway scored a try down the right wing with Hanrahan’s stunning conversion levelling it 75th minute.

But the Munster out-half failed to find the target with a drop-goal under the posts and two points each was the final result.