Crowley helps Munster halt Leinster juggernaut
A 77TH-MINUTE drop goal from Jak Crowley saw Munster edge out Leinster 16-15 in an epic BKT United Rugby Championship semi-final at the Aviva Stadium.
Leinster’s double dreams were ended by a Herculean effort from Munster in their fifth successive away game, which ended with their first win in six semi-finals in all competitions.
Munster, who defeated Glasgow in the quarter-finals at Scotstoun last week, will now face the Stormers in the final in South Africa after the reigning champions defeated Connacht in the first semi-final earlier on Saturday.
In a hard-fought clash in Dublin, Leinster’s South African lock Jason Jenkins scored against his former employers just before half-time to give the table toppers a 10-6 lead at the break. However, the hosts, who had rested most of their frontliners ahead of next week’s Heineken Champions Cup final against La Rochelle, trailed soon after the interval as a converted 45th-minute score from Tadhg Beirne put Munster back ahead.
The lead continued to change hands as Leinster replacement Joe McCarthy touched down but Ciaran Frawley’s missed conversion left the advantage at just 15-13, and Munster’s persistence was rewarded with Crowley’s coolly-struck winner.
It was a second successive shock URC semi-final exit for Leinster, who lost the Bulls last year, and means the Stormers will host the league decider again, with Graham Rowntree’s men travelling to Cape Town in two weeks’ time.
Will Connors’ injury-enforced departure meant an early change for Leinster, with 2022 World Rugby player of the year Josh van der Flier sent into the fray, and the hosts took the lead when fly-half Harry Byrne turned the penalty earned into three points.
A booming 10th-minute strike from Ben Healy brought Munster level, although a Van der Flier rip in a tackle spoiled their first try-scoring opportunity.
Leinster forward Ryan Baird then had a superb solo try ruled out by Tommy O’Brien’s knock-on in an aerial duel, which was spotted by TMO Ben Whitehouse.
Apart from that, Munster’s defence was rock solid and rewarded with a second Healy penalty.
Frustratingly for the visitors, their well-oiled maul was foiled by turnovers, one from Max Deegan and another from Ronan Kelleher off a dummy drive.
Leinster made them pay when Robbie Henshaw’s well-timed offload sent Jenkins powering over from the edge of the Munster 22, with Byrne converting.
The dam finally broke for Munster early in the second half when a well-supported Beirne drove over beside the posts. Referee Frank Murphy spotted the grounding, with Crowley converting.
A vital Beirne steal prevented a quick response from Leinster, yet having turned down a simple three-pointer, Munster watched replacement Roman Salanoa knock-on near the home try-line.
Leinster took full advantage of some subsequent possession and territory, McCarthy burrowing over despite the best efforts of Keith Earls and Josh Wycherley.
Tireless Munster kept coming, breaking from deep following a Fineen Wycherley turnover and running back kicks, before Crowley’s right boot delivered the decisive points, putting them within reach of a first trophy since 2011.
Stormers booked their place in the final with a thumping 43-25 home win over Munster yesterday.
Meanwhile in the Gallagher Premiership, Scotland international Sean Maitland scored two tries in Saracens’ 38-15 play-off semi-final victory over Northampton.