Van Graan thrilled to see Munster show their grit
MUNSTER head coach Johann van Graan hailed his side’s second-half display as they secured a 30-5 win over Castres in the Champions Cup at Thomond Park.
Rory Scannell, CJ Stander and man of the match JJ Hanrahan all ran in tries in the second period to help the Irish province seal a deserved victory over the reigning French champions.
The victory, which did not include a bonus point, leaves Munster three points clear of Gloucester at the top of Pool 2 after three games, with Castres six points off the pace in third.
Van Graan said: “It was a very tough European battle between two heavyweights. Credit to Castres, who stuck to their task.
“I was happy with the way we adapted to one or two disruptions pre-game and in-game it was a lot wetter than we anticipated in that first 40 minutes and we tightened up at half-time.
“All credit to the players who adapted to what we wanted in that second half.
“We went through them and I thought we got a comfortable victory in the end by 25 points.”
The South African was pleased with Hanrahan’s performance after the fly-half was brought in as a late replacement for the injured Joey Carbery, while they also lost Ireland centre Chris Farrell to an injury in the warm-up.
“It is not ideal losing players like Joey Carbery and Chris Farrell shortly before kick-off, but that is why you have a squad. Our squad depth got tested, both at 10 and at 13,” he said. “I am glad that JJ stepped up so well and that Sammy (Arnold) stepped up.
“It doesn’t matter who gets picked or what happens, we have to adapt and I’m very happy.”
Castres defence and forwards coach Joe El-Abd felt the best team won.
“I am very disappointed,” he said. “We had big ambitions, but we got dominated in every sector. We have no complaints with the result.
“In the first half we managed to stay in it, I don’t think they did much either, so we turned at 6-0 down and everything to play for. The early try in the second half was difficult and from there it was an uphill battle. I think they were on their game.
“You always know Munster are going to perform in the Heineken Cup. It is a competition they attack 100 per cent.
“They put us under pressure everywhere and we weren’t great. We weren’t very precise in what we did, but that is due in large amounts to what they did.”
The two teams will meet again in Castres on Saturday.
El-Abd added: “I think it’s going to be a very tough game (next Saturday). We know what to expect. We played them last season at home and the game was different to the one away.
“We need to win 4-0 in terms of match points. We are still alive in the competition.” Meanwhile, Mark McCall insists Saracens were not good enough against Cardiff Blues, even though they scored six second-half tries and ran out 51-25 winners at Allianz Park in Pool 3.
Ben Earl came off the bench to score two second-half tries while wing Sean Maitland also added two in quick succession, but the former champions had to turn it around after a poor first half.
Blaine Scully and Matthew Morgan both crossed for the Blues to hand them an 18-13 half-time lead and, despite the improved second-half display and ultimately comfortable win, McCall cut a frustrated figure at full-time.
“There’s a feeling of dissatisfaction in the dressing room because of how the first half went. There are certain things we did which just aren’t good enough,” the Director of Rugby said.
“It was a strange first half. We had a lot of possession and field position but we weren’t very strong with either, and we gave away two very sloppy tries.
“Individually there were some positives today but as a team we’re not really where I’d want to be. We need to be better next week.” IF there was any consolation to be found for Queen’s University, after they lost at home to Cashel, then it came from the way they doggedly managed to cope with considerable adversity.
The Division 2A side had to not only deal with conditions which clearly suited their forward-orientated opponents, but they also lost flanker James Catterson (below) who was, seemingly harshly, red-carded in the 36th minute for what was adjudged to be dangerous play.
Though this turned out to be Derek Suffern’s squad’s third straight defeat and resulted in Queen’s slipping out of the top four, there was plenty of spirit and determination on show in the students’ refusal to wilt after coughing up two tries and a penalty try off horribly disintegrating scrums.
But with impressive lock David Whitten, flanker Andrew McGrath and centre Rory Bell working overtime, they clawed their way back from trailing 19-8 to secure a late losing bonus point when Ulster Academy winger Angus Kernohan scythed through to score the students’ second try.
The red card was, of course, the game-changer and the losing bonus point did little to mask the deflation at another game having slipped away.
In 2B, Rainey Old Boys made it five wins on the trot to go third as they trounced Sunday’s Well 41-6 in Cork.
After an uneventful first half, the visitors scored six second half tries with Andrew Donaghy crossing for a brace.
At the other end of the table, Belfast Harlequins and Dungannon are now battling to avoid relegation after both failed to win.
Eighth-placed Quins could only draw 10-10 when hosting bottom side Skerries, Peter Dunlop scored their only try, while Dungannon, in ninth, fell 2017 at home to unbeaten leaders Greystones.
In 2C, fifth-placed Bangor put up a battling effort at leaders Ballina where a penalty try ensured the game ended 14-12 to the hosts, but giving the north Down side a losing bonus point.
Omagh, in fourth, hammered Seapoint 34-5 while City of Derry fell to eighth after they took a pasting at Midleton and lost 36-7.
2A: QUB 13 Cashel 19
2B: Quins 10 Skerries 10, Gannon 17 Greystones 20, Sunday’s Well 6 Rainey 41
2C: Ballina 14 Bangor 12, Midleton 36 Derry 7, Omagh 34 Seapoint 5