Munster secured their place in the top eight of the URC with a convincing 24-17 win against the Fidelity SecureDrive Lions, who will travel to Leinster for their quarter-final, while Munster will travel to Pretoria to face the Vodacom Bulls.
Despite the Lions' dominant start, Evan O'Connell scored Munster’s first try of the match after they attacked off a 22/50 lineout. JJ Hanrahan converted to extend Munster’s lead to 07-00 after eight minutes of play in the first half.
Eight minutes later, with Munster on the attack, Quan Horn intercepted a loose pass in his own half to score the Lions’ first try. Chris Smith converted to level the scores 07-07.
JJ Hanrahan converted a penalty to extend Munster’s lead to 10-07.
The Lions’ “comeback” was helped by two silly yellow cards conceded by Munster; however, Munster’s defence held until Kelly Mpeku found space out wide to score the Lions' second try. The conversion by Chris Smith claimed a 14-10 lead for the Lions with five minutes to play in the first half.
The 13-man Munster refused to allow the Lions to dominate, and their defence was brilliant. Munster upped the pace of their attack, and with time up in the first half, Munster attacked off a 5m lineout-maul and, following wave after wave of attacks, Craig Casey crashed over the Lions’ tryline for Munster’s second try. JJ Hanrahan converted to edge Munster 17-14 into the lead.
Munster continued their dominance in the second half, and after 13 minutes of play in the second half, Munster’s Tom Ahern crashed over. JJ Hanrahan converted, extending Munster's lead to 24-14.
Chris Smith converted a penalty, cutting Munster’s lead to 24-17 with twenty minutes still to play in the second half.
Munster deservedly secured a 24-17 win.
Scorers:
Munster Rugby: Tries: Evan O'Connell, Craig Casey, Tom Ahern. Conversions: JJ Hanrahan (3). Penalty: JJ Hanrahan.
Fidelity SecureDrive Lions: Tries: Quan Horn, Kelly Mpeku. Conversions: Chris Smith (2). Penalty: Chris Smith.
Teams:
Munster Rugby: 15 Mike Haley, 14 Andrew Smith, 13 Alex Nankivell, 12 Dan Kelly, 11 Seán O’Brien, 10 Jack Crowley, 9 Craig Casey, 8 Brian Gleeson, 7 John Hodnett, 6 Jack O’Donoghue, 5 Fineen Wycherley, 4 Tom Ahern, 3 Michael Ala’alatoa, 2 Niall Scannell, 1 Jeremy Loughman. Replacements: 16 Diarmuid Barron, 17 Josh Wycherley, 18 John Ryan, 19 Evan O’Connell, 20 Gavin Coombes, 21 Ben O’Donovan, 22 JJ Hanrahan, 23 Alex Kendellen.
Fidelity SecureDrive Lions: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Kelly Mpeku, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Richard Kriel, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Francke Horn (c), 7 Batho Hlekani, 6 Siba Mahashe, 5 Darrien Landsberg, 4 Reinhard Nothnagel, 3 Sebastian Lombard, 2 PJ Botha, 1 SJ Kotze. Replacements: 16 Morne Brandon, 17 Eddie Davids, 18 RF Schoeman, 19 Ruan Delport, 20 Siba Qoma, 21 JC Pretorius, 22 Haashim Pead, 23 Rynhardt Jonker.