Munster 21 - Saints 23

Anyone who knows the history of these two teams would have known that this was always going to be close.  But Thomond Park is a really tough place to play, I've been there, it epitomises the word "cauldron".  The Saints have learnt in the last few years, but had they learnt enough.

Within 3 minutes of kick off Munster had scored a try.  And not only had they scored but they had done it by pushing our forwards over the line.  It could all have gone wrong then.  But instead the Saints lifted their heads and came at Munster.  They got ahead with a try and almost went into the half time oranges ahead, but a panicky end to the half gave Munster the chance to get back ahead.  Again the Saints came back and took the lead.  They held it for all of the second half.  The game went past the 80 minute mark, the next time the ball went dead then it was all over.  But Munster had the ball and were in the Saints half.  The Saints drove them back, but then they came again.  Over 40 phases and four and a half minutes neither side gave away a penalty.  Munster were left with one choice and one choice only, but they had a sublime player for it, and sure enough Ronan O'Gara took a drop goal and planted the ball between the sticks.

It was all over.  The Saints had played one of their best games, but it wasn't enough and they had victory snatched away.  A painful painful end.  But both teams could be proud of their work on the pitch.  A fantastic spectacle and a great advert for the game.

Match Details

• Half Time 17-13
• Attendance 26,500
• Referee Nigel Owens

Munster Rugby

15	Johne Murphy
14	Doug Howlett	1T
13	Danny Barnes
12	Lifeimi Mafi
11	Denis Hurley
10	Ronan O'Gara		2C	1D	2P
9	Conor Murray
1	Wian Du Preez
2	Damien Varley	1T
3	Brendan Botha
4	Donnacha Ryan
5	Paul O'Connell
6	Peter O'Mahony
7	Niall Ronan
8	James Coughlan
16	Denis Fogarty
17	John Ryan
18	John Hayes
19	Donncha O'Callaghan
20	Denis Leamy
21	Tomas O'Leary
22	Ian Keatley
23	Will Chambers

Northampton Saints

15	Ben Foden
14	Chris Ashton	1T
13	Jon Clarke
12	James Downey	1T
11	Vasily Artemyev
10	Ryan Lamb		1C		3P
9	Lee Dickson
1	Soane Tongauiha
2	Dylan Hartley
3	Brian Mujati
4	Courtney Lawes
5	Mark Sorenson
6	Calum Clark
7	Tom Wood
8	Roger Wilson
16	Mike Haywood
17	Alex Waller
18	Paul Doran-Jones
19	Samu Manoa
20	Phil Dowson
21	Martin Roberts
22	Stephen Myler
23	George Pisi