UNLESS YOU HAD an exceptionally heavy St. Stephen’s night you will know by now that Munster comprehensively beat Leinster 28-13 at Thomond Park.
The majority of the game saw Munster employ a similar pick-and-go style that they used in the first fixture between the sides this season at the Aviva – and the men in red enjoyed just as much success this time around.
But while CJ Stander and Dave O’Callaghan burrowed over from close range for the home side, their second try, scored by Andrew Conway, was an impressive show of strength that sent the crowd wild.
Ian Keatley gets the ball and gives it in one fluid movement, which allows Conway to explode onto the pass. His running line gets him through the initial gap but in the replay you see that he gets a great fend on Dave Kearney.
Leinster’s attack was uninspired for much of the defeat but there was one lovely moment of skill from replacement back row Jack Conan late on. Conan showed great dexterity to free one hand and throw a lovely little pop pass for Shane Jennings to dot down.
It is the kind of pass that Sonny Bill Williams uses frequently – he moves the size 5 ball around in one hand like a normal person holds a mini rugby ball. It might not always be the most economical way to throw a pass, but you look damn cool when doing it.
That was nice from Conan, but he still has a long way to go to be as good an offloader as the maestro.
You can watch some extended match highlights here.
So what did you prefer, Conway’s strength or Conan’s skill?
