Healy holds his nerve to finish off late fightback

BEN Healy was Munster’s hero for the second week in a row as he converted CJ Stander’s late try to seal a come from behind victory at Thomond Park.

Healy kicked six penalties to keep his side in touch, but Edinburgh were unable to hold on for a deserved victory after tries from Mark Bennett and WP Nel.

“It is a game we should have won,” said Edinburgh coach Richard Cockerill.

“We are disappointed we didn’t. It was a better performance than last week but I expect better from this team.”

Two early Healy penalties got Munster off to a perfect start but Edinburgh were looking good in the opening exchanges. Their maul was a real weapon throughout and only Grant Gilchrist’s poor handling stalled a good move off the back of a powerful maul after nine minutes.

That was only a hint of things to come from the Scottish side. Edinburgh took the lead when George Taylor sent Bennett over for a converted try after 12 minutes.

Munster reclaimed the lead when Healy kicked his third penalty but tighthead Nel turned the game in Edinburgh’s favour ten minutes from time.

The loss of second row Gilchrist to injury was a blow for Edinburgh as half time approached, but with their defence rock solid and Munster’s set piece misfiring they held on.

But just before the halftime whistle Tadhg Beirne won another breakdown penalty for Munster and Healy’s fourth successful kick cut Edinburgh’s half time lead to 14-12.

Cockerill rallied his troops at half-time and

Edinburgh extended their advantage to 17-12 in the 49th minute when another Hamish Watson carry drew Munster offside in defence and van der Walt kicked the three points from the left.

A high tackle on the busy Craig Casey allowed Healy to maintain his perfect record off the tee. Another high tackle from van der Walt earned him a yellow card in the 57th minute and Healy drilled over the penalty to reclaim the lead for Munster.

Chasing a second straight win in Munster, Edinburgh were not done yet and a break from Darcy Graham drew the penalty concession. With van der Walt still in the bin Bennett kicked the penalty from in front of the posts.

On his return van der Walt moved his side into a 23-18 lead, but Stander burrowed over from a few inches to level three minutes from time and Healy converted for the win.