Munster 17
Scarlets 6
IT WAS NEVER likely that Munster would hit the same heights as they did at the Aviva last weekend, but head coach Anthony Foley will be pleased with a second win in two games ahead of the province’s Champions Cup campaign.
A first-half try from Australian centre Andrew Smith and four penalties from out-half JJ Hanrahan were enough to claim all four points against the Scarlets, who suffered from an inconsistent performance by Rhys Priestland and a poor line-out platform.
Munster had far too much up front for Wayne Pivac’s side in front of an official attendance of 13,851. Back row CJ Stander was in excellent form again to claim the man of the match award.
This win sees Munster up to third in the Pro12, for the night at least.
Priestland opened the scoring early on for the Scarlets, when his speculative drop goal edged over, with referee Claudio Blessano consulting his TMO to confirm the three points. Hanrahan had a chance to reply from the tee soon after, but dragged his penalty wide to the left.
Peter O’Mahony was looking eager on his first start of the season, with himself and Dave Foley launching themselves into contact. Hanrahan levelled the game after 21 minutes, kicking a penalty when the Scarlets failed to roll away.
Four minutes later, Munster constructed a magnificent try. Smith finished the passage off in the right corner, but it was the 26 phases that preceded that moment that stood out.
Foley’s men were composed as they retained possession in the Scarlets’ 22, smashing the breakdown and being directed masterfully by scrum-half Conor Murray. It was a clever pass from the Ireland international that allowed Hanrahan to send Smith scampering into the corner, but an unsuccessful conversion followed.
Priestland was having issues with his goal-kicking, missing two chances – one of which hit the post – before he was on target from 40 metres out just before half time.
Munster out-half Hanrahan slotted three penalties for Munster in a scrappy, error-strewn third quarter, before making way for Ian Keatley.
With both replacements’ benches being emptied in the closing stages, the game broke up, before Munster went close late on through James Cronin. The sub loosehead was denied a try by the TMO, who cited “inconclusive evidence” in advising Blessano.
Seamus Flannery in the TMO box was called upon again barely a minute later, as Johne Murphy went close, but the fullback was shown to have spilled the ball forward as he dived for the tryline.
Munster scorers:
Try: A Smith
Penalties: JJ Hanrahan [4 from 6]
Scarlets scorers:
Penalties: R Priestland [1 from 3]
Drop goal: R Priestland
MUNSTER: Johne Murphy; Gerhard van den Heever, Andrew Smith, Ivan Dineen, Simon Zebo; JJ Hanrahan (Ian Keatley ’64), Conor Murray (Duncan Williams ’72); Dave Kilcoyne (James Cronin ’51), Kevin O’Byrne (Eusebio Guinazu ’51), BJ Botha (Stephen Archer ’74); Dave Foley (Donncha O’Callaghan ’74), Billy Holland; Peter O’Mahony (capt.) (Robin Copeland ’64), Tommy O’Donnell, CJ Stander.
Replacement not used: Ronan O’Mahony.
SCARLETS: Liam Williams; Harry Robinson, Gareth Owen (Michael Tagicakibau ’22), Scott Williams (capt.), Kristian Phillips; Rhys Priestland, Aled Davies (Rhodri Williams ’68): Phil John (Rob Evans ’48), Kirby Myhill (Emyr Phillips ’48), Rhodri Jones (Samson Lee’48); Jake Ball, Johan Snyman (George Earle ’53); Aaron Shingler, John Barclay (James Davies ’66), Rory Pitman.
Replacement not used: Steven Shingler.
Referee: Claudio Blessano [FIR].
