DOUBLE
Murray’s try hero as Reds grind out emotional win
CHAMPIONS CUP
FIt was a huge win for Munster who defended stoutly throughout, but they were stung four minutes from time as Leone Nakarawa’s try earned Racing a losing bonus point, which could be vital in a tight pool. Ian Keatley converted both Munster tries from the sidelines, but missed a routine penalty in between, which would have denied Racing the extra point in the end.
In an emotional week for the Munster, the crowd and players held a minute’s applause before the game to mark the first anniversary of Anthony Foley’s death, while former Munster players Ronan O’gara and Donnacha Ryan made a presentation to Peter O’mahony of a Racing 92 shirt with Foley’s number eight on the back.
Despite the opening 40 minutes failing to produce a score it was enthralling rugby.
Munster bossed the first quarter with Keatley and Rory Scannell kicking well from hand, but interestingly Keatley declined a couple of relatively straightforward kicks at goal as Munster sought tries. Perhaps playing into the teeth of Storm Brian it was a smart move, but on such a night every three points was priceless.
After 20 minutes Munster had their best chance to open the scoring when Murray took a quick tap penalty under the posts, but when Jean Kleyn was stopped just short, he conceded a penalty for holding on under pressure from the superb Antonie Classen.
Lineout woes haunted Munster throughout, and they brought their total to five losses on their own throws before the end.
But they always looked the likelier team to break the deadlock, and their patience finally paid off just after the hour mark. Maxime Machenaud tried to kick off the back of a Racing scrum on halfway, but Murray blocked his kick, pick up the bobbling ball and dived over the try-line.
Keatley slotted the tough conversion for a 7-0 lead, but four minutes later missed a far easier kick in front of the posts. He needn’t have worried as 11 minutes from time a rolling maul led to Scannell putting Conway over in the corner before Nakarawa replied in kind. MUNSTER: