Munster Rugby 31 - 27 Cardiff Blues
HT 21-10
Fri 28 May 19:35 Thomond Park Ref: Andrew Brace Rainbow Cup
80

Nail-biting finish here as Munster are penalised deep in their 22. We will scrum down. 31-27

80

Composed attack, particularly from Ben Thomas who makes a half break, while Jason Harries does brilliantly to stay in play and keep it alive. 31-27

79

Roll of the dice comes to nothing. Munster have over 90 seconds to run down on the clock. 31-27

78

Matthew Morgan taken down by a high tackle and Jarrod finds the corner with a wonderful effort from a high angle. It's initial smart work from the pack, but Munster win the turnover. However, we're sending in a captain's challenge for the decision. 31-27

67

Adams seems to be in a bit of space down the left, but Morgan's quick hands was judged to have drifted forward. Fine, fine margins. 24-24

64

Munster with a set play from the training ground, but fumble and Cory Hill is sharp to feed Williams on the wing. The scrum half hacks ahead but Carbery just about beats Adams in the footrace and Casey clears. 24-24

62

Replacement

Triple change after a massive effort from Domachowski, Dacey and Lewis in the front row. Fresh legs as Carre, Belcher and Arhip are introduced. 24-24

61

Olly Robinson with a huge steal on his own try line as Munster were turning the screw. 24-24

59

They say he's versatile - Turnbull dons the number 24 jersey from now. 24-24

58

Brace gives O'Mahoney a word for what looked like a shoulder charge on Dillon Lewis. 24-24

56

Try

Munster cope with the driving line-out, forcing Cardiff back to the fringes of the 22. It requires a bit of magic at this point, and it comes from an unlikely source - Turnbull throws a dummy and slices through the defence, finding Lloyd Williams in support to finish. 24-24

55

Amos is forced off for a HIA here, and is replaced by the returning Matthew Morgan. Haley has received a yellow card for his effort and Evans puts it in the corner. 24-17

54

Nice work down the blindside from Amos and Ben Thomas, before a typically ruthless burst fro Adams wins extra yards. Plenty of pace in the attack but as Amos is put into touch it looks like he's received a nasty blow to the head. 24-17

53

Replacement

Lloyd Williams replaces double try scorer, Tomos, at scrum half. 24-17

52

Scannell looks for space in the backfield, but has mis-judged it, sending it dead. We're back on the halfway for a Cardiff Blues scrum. 24-17

50

Penalty Goal (Opp.)

Adams finds himself isolated in the back field, and Munster win the penalty in front of the sticks. A simple effort for Carbery to stretch Munster's lead. 24-17

48

What a leap from Hill to steal Munster's line-out. It sparks the backs into action, but as they look to take advantage, the space just runs out and Harries is fumbled into touch. 21-17

47

Try

Dillon Lewis trucks it up and Evans calls for it out the back. He combines with Ben Thomas to send Seb Davies galloping through the defence. He pops inside to Amos, who in turns feeds scrum half Williams for his brace. Evans sends the extras over! 21-17

46

Another huge effort at scrum with the homegrown Doma-Dacey-Dillon combination winning a crucial penalty, allowing Evans to bring play to the halfway line. 21-10

45

Munster once again in the corner after Robinson is penalised for a high tackle. The drive is this time dealt with, resulting in a scrum for the visitors. 21-10

40

Half Time

Tempers flaring at the end of the half here, but it's the hosts who head into the sheds in the lead, despite a promising opening 20 from Young's men. 21-10

38

Try (Opp.)

A quick fire third from Munster as another driving line-out leads to Scannell dotting down. 21-10

35

Try (Opp.)

Munster enjoying a purple patch and are clinical to cross for a second. Again it's the penalty which puts them in territory, and while de Allende is stopped just short, Casey opts to go blind and Wycherley slides over. 14-10

33

CJ Stander is full steam ahead from the restart return, but is stopped right in his tracks by a thumping hit from Dillon Lewis. 7-10

32

Try (Opp.)

Twice now Brace has awarded the hosts an extra 10m at penalties. It leads to Munster setting up camp in the corner, and they make the territory count as the pack powers over from close range. 7-10

27

Munster have their first line-out in Cardiff's 22, but after setting up for a drive they head out to de Allende, who drops possession. 0-10

25

It's an intriguing battle for territory here but Jason Harries' drilled kick puts pressure on Haley, who finds touch just outside the 22. A good outcome for the visitors. 0-10

18

Penalty Goal

With an advantage behind him, it's mesmerising stuff from Evans, who shapes up for a chip but dummies to throw a bullet pass, almost putting Adams clear, but the Munster defence hold out. However, it gives Evans an opportunity to add another three from the tee. 0-10

17

After a strong driving line-out from the visitors, Ben Thomas shrugs off a big Rory Scannell hit to win some crucial couple of yards. The ball goes wide early but is knocked on by the rushing Munster defence, who escape with just a scrum against them. 0-7

14

Huge boost for the front row to win a penalty against the head on the halfway line. Evans' kick finds touch inside the 22. 0-7

11

Ben Thomas this time with the flat pass, almost putting Seb Davies in the hole, but the towering lock just can't keep his hands on it. Encouraging signs in these early stages from the visitors. 0-7

8

Munster look threatening from their first attacking set, after CJ Stander carries from the base. But as the pressure is on, it's savvy work from James Botham who tempts the Munster clean-out off their feet, winning the turnover under the sticks. 0-7

5

Try

It's been a action packed start here in Limerick, and Cardiff draw early blood. Jarrod Evans' flat pass sends Halaholo through on a clean break. With the covering defence closing in, Tomos Williams calls for the scissors and has the legs to reach the whitewash. 0-7

2

A wonderful no-look pass from Halaholo puts Harries in a bit of space down the right. He looks for support on the inside, but his looped effort sails over both Adams and Tomos Williams, allowing Wycherley to gather. 0-0

0

Replacement

Olly Robinson replaces James Ratti at the break, with the number eight picking up a knock during the opening 40. 40' Tempers flaring at the end of the half here, but it's the visitors who head into the sheds in the lead, despite a promising opening 20 from Young's men. 21-10

0

Kick Off

Jarrod Evans gets us underway in good conditions here at Thomond Park. Casey sends it back after a couple of phases, but Amos wins the early aerial battle. 0-0