Munster 33 – 7 Stade Français (HT: 14-0)
Munster got their Investec Champions Cup campaign off to a dream start in Thomond Park on Saturday night with a comprehensive 33-7 victory over Stade Français.
In a game where the away side coughed up two men to red cards, Player of the Match Thaakir Abrahams and fellow try scorers Shane Daly, Alex Kendellen, Tom Farrell and Gavin Coombes all helped Munster to the full five points.
Munster made their intentions known from the off. The usually high-tempo attacking structures threatened through Crowley, Abrahams and co, but to no avail. First a breakdown penalty stopped the home side in their tracks, before Calvin Nash narrowly missed out on finishing a solo effort in the corner.
The next territorial chance came after further Jack Crowley brilliance. Fresh from saving Ireland’s blushes last weekend, the Bandon man put in a meticulous kick behind with his unfavoured left leg to give the hosts a lineout deep inside the Stade Français 22. From there another penalty was coughed up by Paul Gustard’s men, and Munster finally struck for try number one.
Captain Barron again found O’Mahony at lineout time, and flashy winger Thaakir Abrahams dove over in the corner after Craig Casey created a 2v1 for the South African. Jack Crowley drained the touchline conversion as Munster deservedly got reward for an impressive opening seventeen minutes.
Zach Henry’s excellent 50/22 in the twenty-third minute was the only real chance for Stade in the half. Tom Farrell, Jack Crowley and Thaakir Abrahams all came up big with defensive stops, which were met with the usual Thomond roar.
The game almost had a defining moment seconds later as Alex Nankivell escaped a potential red card for his shoulder high tackle on hooker Lucas Peyresblanques. Despite this Munster’s momentum never wavered, and their electric backs stood up next.
Thaakir Abrahams superbly reclaimed a garryowen under the Limerick lights, and when Munster went wide, a chance was on. Craig Casey got multiple touches as he found Shane Daly who finished superbly. The Irish international, on the night of his 100th Munster appearance, kicked behind the rush defence, beat everyone to the ball, fly hacked it further with his second touch and dotted down for one of the best tries Munster have ever scored in Europe. Crowley slotted a tricky conversion, and Munster took a two score lead right on the half hour mark, in a truly emphatic opening thirty.
Despite some close calls from Craig Casey and Dian Bleueler, Munster failed to capitalise and it remained a two score game heading into the sheds.
The second half picked up at the same frantic pace and deafening noise, but without the accuracy that made the first forty so enjoyable. The first sign of life was provided through Peter O’Mahony. His initial one-handed lineout catch was followed by a break from electric Abrahams. When O’Mahony got the return pass, he was met by a wild swinging arm by lock Pierre-Henri Azagoh, and the Stade forward was sent off, despite some hesitation from the officials.
O’Mahony was the one to claim the ensuing lineout, and fittingly it led to a try. The rolling maul splintered Stade’s defensive efforts, and flanker Alex Kendellen dotted down on consecutive weeks for the hammer blow. Crowley again added the extras for a twentyone point cushion, and the losing bonus point within sight.
The fisticuffs and brawls continued following another suspect tackle on Craig Casey this time. This time it was Baptiste Pesenti who lifted the Munster nine above the horizontal, and Luke Pearce had no option but to give fellow second-row his marching orders.
Munster got that five pointer moments later, as again the Stade defence proved no match. Tom Farrell had the easiest of run-ins but the initial break from substitute Niall Scannell and expert pass from Jack Crowley made it a simple finish for the former Connacht centre.
Stade Français would not leave without scoring. A simplistic lineout move saw Clement Castets and Lucas Peyresblanques away down the touchline, with the former dotting down. Out-half Zack Henry expertly added the extras despite the blustery conditions to claw back the deficit back to twentyone.
The game fizzled out as Munster failed to keep their composure against thirteen men. Handling errors and penalties increased. 19 year-old Setareki Turagacoke almost got the visitors’ second try, as he did for Fiji against Ireland a fortnight ago, but he too was bitten by the knock-on bug.
Ryan Chapuis tried and failed to add to the litany of cards from Luke Pearce towards the end for a body check on Shane Daly, but it did allow Munster a final opportunity. Jack Crowley’s half break teed it up before Gavin Coombes finished the move for his 47th Munster try in the right hand corner. Icing on the cake.
The win was a mixed bag but given conditions and the returning internationals, it was one Munster should be chuffed with. Thaakir Abrahams was a standout with his twinkle toes and game-changing eye for a line break, while the Casey-Crowley-Nankivell-Farrell axis fired on all cylinders. Stade Français will be fuming with their lack of discipline, but this was a night that would thrill Ian Costello and his men. Captain Diarmuid Barron said postgame proud with how they worked for it as his side overcame tough conditions, and was at pains to credit the supporters for turning out despite Storm Darragh’s best efforts.
The win sees Munster sitting pretty in second place in Pool 3 after an opening weekend where Northampton and Saracens also recorded victories. Munster travel to Castres Olympique next Friday looking to make it two from two against an old foe (8 pm on Premier Sports 1).
Munster: Shane Daly; Calvin Nash (Billy Burns, 12’-25’ (HIA)) Tom Farrell , Alex Nankivell, Thaakir Abrahams (Billy Burns, 70’); Jack Crowley, Craig Casey (Paddy Patterson, 60’); Dian Bleuler (Kieran Ryan, 70’), Diarmuid Barron (captain)(Niall Scannell, 52’), John Ryan (Stephen Archer, 55’); Evan O’Connell (Tadhg Beirne, 52’), Fineen Wycherley, Peter O’Mahony (Jack O’Donoghue, 60’), Alex Kendellen (John Hodnett, 55’), Gavin Coombes
Tries: Thaakir Abrahams, Shane Daly, Alex Kendellen, Tom Farrell, Gavin Coombes
Conversions: Jack Crowley (4/5)
Yellow Card: Alex Nankivell 25’
Stade Français: Joe Jonas (Setareki Turagacoke, 52’); Charles Laloi, Joe Marchant, Pierre Boudehent, Samuel Ezeala; Zack Henry, Thibaut Motassi (Louis Foursans-Bourdette, 73’); Clement Castets, Lucas Peyresblanques (Luka Petriashvili, 25’-38’ (HIA) and 60’), Francisco Gomez Kodela; Pierre-Henri Azagoh, Baptiste Pesenti; Pierre Huguet (Andy Timo, 55’), Ryan Chapuis (captain), Yoan Tanga (Juan Martin Scelzo, 52’)
Replacements not used: Moses Alo-Emile, Paul Alo-Emile,, Louis Carbonel
Tries: Clement Castets
Conversions: Zack Henry (1/1)
Red Cards: Pierre-Henri Azagoh 49’, Baptiste Pesenti 52’
Referee: Luke Pearce (Eng)