On a cold and windy evening in Scotland, Munster were defeated by URC table toppers Glasgow Warriors but secured a try scoring bonus point

In the first half, Glasgow dominated, earning their bonus point before the half-time whistle. In the second 40 momentum swung in Munster’s favour, with Dan Kelly, Brian Gleeson and Diarmuid Kilgallen all getting on the scoreboard. Despite these much-needed tries, several missed conversions and two yellow cards meant the visitors left Scotstoun beaten by 9 points.

Next Munster will take on Zebre Parma in Round 12 at Thomond Park on Saturday, February 28^th, 5.30pm kick-off.

Munster dominated possession in the opening minutes with brilliant carries from Shane Daly, Mike Haley and Brian Gleeson. Solid defence from the Scotsmen denied the young number 8 a try, forcing a double movement.

Glasgow came to life from their set piece with speed and pace, and despite Diarmuid Kilgallen’s last-ditch tackle attempt on the line, winger Ollie Smith succeeded in getting the ball down in the corner for the first score of the game after just six minutes. Dan Lancaster bent the ball through the posts for the conversion, 7-0.

The hosts ran in another try almost immediately after their first, with Lancaster intercepting a pass and running all the way down the pitch, he converted his own try putting 14 points to Munster’s zero.

Munster responded in kind, Ethan Coughlan intercepting a pass of his own, using his pace to dot down in the right corner. Butler missed the conversion, the visitors getting on the scoreboard, 14-5.

There were moments of good play from both sides, Evan O’Connell winning a turnover in midfield and Glasgow kicking a 50:22. Heroic defence from Munster wasn’t quite enough to stave off Jare Oguntibeju who got the hosts’ third try. Lancaster converted, 21-5.

Thaakir Abrahams received a yellow card at 38 minutes for a deliberate knock-on. Glasgow exploited the 14-man Munster side, earning their fourth and bonus point try before half time, the conversion sailed through the uprights, 28-5.

Glasgow came out fast on the attack in the second 40, and in first five minutes looked to have got down for two tries. However, one attempt was not grounded, and the other saw a knock on in the build-up.  Munster made a number of changes, with Abrahams returning from the sin bin at 50 minutes.

Dan Kelly made a superb run down the pitch, weaving his way around defenders to score a fantastic individual try. 19-year-old Tom Wood, on his debut, was just wide with the conversion. 28-10. Gleeson gave Munster their third try using his pace and strength, Wood’s conversion was wide.

Momentum looked to have shifted slightly, Mike Haley bursting through, breaking several tackles. Diarmuid Kilgallen got Munster’s fourth and bonus point try, following good set piece and a great looping pass from Abrahams.  Wood came good with the conversion bringing Munster within six points.

Glasgow won a penalty in front of the posts, earning themselves a further three points.

Jack O’Donoghue was shown a yellow card with the clock already in the red, Glasgow knocked on the ball finishing the game, making it nine wins on the bounce for the URC leaders. The final score was 31-22.

Round 11 round up

Academy player Tom Wood earnt his Munster debut at 19-years old.

Munster earnt a try-scoring bonus point.

Munster Rugby: Mike Haley; Thaakir Abrahams, Shane Daly, Dan Kelly, Diarmuid Kilgallen (Seán O’Brien 70’); Tony Butler (Tom Wood 47’), Ethan Coughlan (Paddy Patterson ’47); Mark Donnelly (John Ryan 70’), Diarmuid Barron (C) (Lee Barron 54’), Oli Jager (Michael Ala’alatoa 16’); Evan O’Connell, Fineen Wycherley (Gavin Coombes ’47, Fineen Wycherley ‘55); Seán Edogbo, Ruadhán Quinn (Jack O’Donoghue ’47), Brian Gleeson.

Replacements: Lee Barron, John Ryan, Michael Ala’alatoa, Gavin Coombes, Jack O’Donoghue, Paddy Patterson, Tom Wood, Seán O’Brien.