| Leinster (17) 27 |
| Tries: Healy, Ringrose, Lowe Cons: Sexton 3 Pens: Sexton, Byrne |
| Munster (13) 25 |
| Tries: Conway 2, Earls Cons: Hanrahan 2 Pens: Hanrahan 2 |
Leinster resumed where they left off in February as they edged out their big Irish rivals Munster 27-25 to record a 14th straight win of the Pro14 season.
Andrew Conway’s try put Munster ahead but Cian Healy’s score levelled the game before Garry Ringrose’s touchdown left Leinster 17-13 up at the break.
Johnny Sexton’s break set up James Lowe’s try as Leinster moved 11 ahead.
But Keith Earls and Conway scored tries during Devin Toner’s sin-binning either side of a Ross Byrne Leinster penalty.
Munster fly-half JJ Hanrahan had the opportunity to level from the most difficult of conversions after Conway’s 73rd-minute try but pulled his effort just wide as Irish rugby made its return in front of 220 people at the Aviva Stadium.
Toner makes crucial late interception
Byrne came on as a second-half replacement for Sexton and his penalty ultimately proved the difference between the sides as Toner atoned for his yellow card by making a crucial late interception when Munster were threatening.
The Pro14 holders had long booked their semi-finals spot but Munster will also reach the last four by beating Connacht next weekend and the Irish sides are likely to meet again in that very knockout contest.
South Africa’s World Cup-winning lock RF Snyman’s Munster debut lasted only seven minutes as he landed awkwardly on his left leg following a line-out steal while his Springboks team-mate Damian de Allende was outshone for the visitors by centre partner Chris Farrell.
Munster also lost Ireland prop Dave Kilcoyne to injury early on while the bruising contest saw their replacement centre Rory Scannell having to operate in the back row in the closing stages.
Leinster suffered an injury blow on their own in the second half as wing Dave Kearney appeared to pull a hamstring while prop Cian Healy was also forced off by a knock.
Farrell’s early industry helped Ireland wing Conway notch his opening try in the 13th minute after a period of sustained Munster pressure on the Leinster line.
But Leinster were on terms within six minutes as De Allende’s late hit on Sexton yielded a penalty, with the fly-half’s kick to the corner then mauled to the line by Healy.
Two Hanrahan penalties – either side of a Sexton kick – twice restored Munster’s lead but the Ireland and Lions fly-half’s gamble of going for the corner instead of a certain three points paid off if first-half injury-time as Robbie Henshaw’s grubber kick was finished off by a diving Ringrose.
Slick hands by both Sexton and young lock Ryan Baird set up Lowe’s 51st-minute try but to their credit Munster refused to fold and Earls’ brilliant finish past Luke McGrath in the left corner got them back into the game.
Hanrahan landed a superb conversion from the left touchline but after Byrne’s 70th-minute penalty had extended Leinster’s lead to seven, the Munster fly-half couldn’t repeat the dose as he missed with the extras following Conway’s second touchdown.
Leinster: Larmour; D Kearney, Ringrose, Henshaw, Lowe; Sexton (capt), McGrath; Healy, Kelleher, Porter; Baird, Fardy; Doris, van der Flier, Conan.
Replacements: Gibson-Park for Kearney 61, R Byrne for Sexton 59, Deegan for McGrath 67, E Byrne for Healy 57, Cronin for R. Kelleher 59, Bent for Porter 59, Toner for Fardy 53, Connors for van der Flier 57
Munster: Daly; Conway, Farrell, de Allende, Earls; Hanrahan, Murray; Cronin, N Scannell, Archer; Snyman, Holland; O’Mahony (capt), O’Donnell, Stander.
Replacements: Casey for Murray 70, Loughman for Kilcoyne 8, Marshall for N Scannell 53, Ryan for Archer 54, Kleyn for Snyman 8, Cloete for O’Donnell 49, R Scannell for Kleyn 57.
Not Used: Gallagher.
Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU).
Article courtesy of BBC Sport
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