After being humiliated by Zebre last time out, it was Edinburgh’s turn to dish out the humiliation in Cork tonight
Munster 28-34 Edinburgh
Edinburgh have defeated Munster 34-28 in their URC Round 12 clash at Virgin Media Park in Cork tonight.
The scoreline will flatter a Munster side who were dominated physically by their Scottish opponents. Three late first-half tries, including two from winger Matt Currie, left Munster with a mountain that they never looked like climbing
In what felt like a direct response to the humiliation they suffered in the previous round against Zebre, Edinburgh were fast out of the blocks. After Munster were penalised at the scrum, out half Ross Thompson gestured at the posts before converting from impressive range to make it 3-0 after six minutes.
Munster set out to respond quickly and, after a few false dawns, finally broke through with an Alex Nankivell try under the Edinburgh posts on his return from injury. An easy conversion from Billy Burns left Munster 7-3 up after 15 minutes.
Edinburgh struck back, however and after a big carry by Magnus Bradbury, Ross Thompson was put through and touched down before adding the extras. Things went from bad to worse for Munster not long after when a ball in behind was not dealt with by Shay McCarthy, allowing Matt Currie to simply touch down for an easy try.
Munster simply could not get to grip with Edinburgh’s ball carriers and were punished once again shortly before half time, Currie going over for his second try of the game.
Munster’s defense fell away once again as the clock went into the red. Currie went straight through an enormous gap and, this time, was provider for Magnus Bradbury, who touched down to secure the bonus point for Edinburgh by half time. The score at the break was a humbling 29-7 lead for the Scots.
Though it took ten minutes after the restart, Munster struck back. Josh Wycherley blocked down a Thompson kick and from the resulting play, Alex Nankivell barged over for his second try of the contest.
Any talk of a Munster comeback was extinguished when Matt Currie completed his hat trick. Though Thompson missed the extras, the scoreboard still read a stunning 34-14 in favour of the Scots.
Munster were playing for pride at this point, Ben O’Connor scored before a late Sean O’Brien consolation left it at a 34-28 loss for Munster.
The province will now have three weeks to process the defeat before travelling to Glasgow on March 21.
TG4 Man of the Match: Matt Currie (Edinburgh)
Tries
Munster: Alex Nankivell (2), Ben O’Connor, Sean O’Brien
Edinburgh: Ross Thompson, Matt Currie (3), Magnus Bradbury
Conversions
Munster: Billy Burns 3/3, Tony Butler 1/1
Edinburgh: Ross Thompson 3/5
Penalties
Edinburgh: Ross Thompson 1/1
Munster: Ben O’Connor; Calvin Nash (O’Brien HT), Tom Farrell, Alex Nankivell, Shay McCarthy; Billy Burns (Butler 56′), Ethan Coughlan (Patterson 51′); Josh Wycherley (Donnelly 56′), Niall Scannell (C) (Barron 46′), John Ryan (Archer HT); Evan O’Connell (Kendellen HT), Fineen Wycherley; Tom Ahern, John Hodnett, Brian Gleeson (Quinn 56′).
Edinburgh: Goosen, M Currie (Bennett 66′), Lang, Tuipulotu, McCann; Thompson, Vellacott (c) (Price 66′); Venter (Hislop 66′), Ashman (Harrison 41′), Hill (Rae 66′), Sykes (Young 66′), Skinner, Crosbie (Watson 3′), Muncaster, Bradbury.
Unused replacement: Scott
Referee: Gianlucca Gnecchi (Italy)