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Munster lose in France

11th January 2003 By Munster Rugby

Munster lose in France

Munster beaten in France (23 – 8) by a deserving Perpignan team. They now face the tough task of not only beating Gloucester, but beating them by no less than four tries.

Munster beaten in France (23 – 8) by a deserving Perpignan team. They now face the tough task of not only beating Gloucester, but beating them by no less than four tries, to ensure their qualification to the final eight of the Heineken Cup.

The French side took full advantage of the wind at their backs in the opening half, scoring twice in two minutes to take a valuable five-point lead into the break.

Perpignan fly-half Manny Edmonds and opposite number Ronan O’Gara swapped penalties as the teams sorted themselves out early on before the home side moved up a gear.

With Munster captain Jim Williams in the bloodbin, the French side tapped a penalty and drove into Irish territory.

From the ruck, and a neat kick by full-back Jean-Marc Souverbie Frederic Cermeno beat Munster full-back Jeremy Staunton to the ball.

Scrum-half Ludovic Loustau set up the his side’s second try when he delivered a clever scissor pass to centre partner Giordani, who ran 20 metres untouched to score.

Munster then hit back and piled on the pressure in the closing stages of the first half. That pressure paid off seconds away from half-time when Mick O’Driscoll secured line-out ball close to the Perpignan line and number eight Anthony Foley was driven over. However, O’Gara’s conversion was charged down. Half Time Score Perpignan 13 Munster 8

The second half followed the pattern of the first, with Perpignan enjoying more of the play and when the French team were awarded a five-yard scrum coach Olivier Saisset sent on the fresh legs of Stephane De Besombes & Christophe Porcu. The strenght of the newcomers proved too much for the Munster pack and Gregory Le Corvec went over for the all important try.

Munster ran out of ideas in the closing stages, all to often throwing away possession in search of points. Perpignan had the final say, with lock Rimas Alvarez-Kairalis slotting into the scrum at number eight and driving over in the final minute in a carbon Le Corvec’s effort.

Final Score Perpignan 23 Munster 8

Scorers:

Perpignan 23 Tries: Cermeno, Giordani, Le Corvec, Alvarez Kairelis Pen: Edmunds

Munster 8 Tries: Foley Pens: O’Gara

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