Hello and welcome to our coverage of today’s Champions Cup clash between Leicester Tigers and Munster. Kevin O’Brien here and I’ll be taking you through all of today’s action at Welford Road Stadium.
Here’s how the sides will line up.
Munster
15. Simon Zebo
14. Darren Sweetnam
13. Jaco Taute
12. Rory Scannell
11. Keith Earls
10. Tyler Bleyendaal
9. Conor Murray
1. Dave Kilcoyne
2. Niall Scannell
3. John Ryan
4. Donnacha Ryan
5. Billy Holland
6. Peter O’Mahony (captain)
7. Tommy O’Donnell
8. CJ Stander
Replacements:
16. Rhys Marshall
17. James Cronin
18. Stephen Archer
19. Jean Kleyn
20. Jack O’Donoghue
21. Duncan Williams
22. Ian Keatley
23. Andrew Conway
Leicester Tigers
15. George Worth
14. Peter Betham
13. Jack Roberts
12. Manu Tuilagi
11. Adam Thompstone
10. Owen Williams
9. Ben Youngs
1. Ellis Genge
2. Tom Youngs (captain)
3. Pat Cilliers
4. Ed Slater
5. Graham Kitchener
6. Luke Hamilton
7. Brendon O’Connor
8. Lachlan McCaffrey
Replacements:
16. Harry Thacker
17. Logovi’i Mulipola
18. Greg Bateman
19. Mike Fitzgerald
20. Mike Williams
21. Will Evans
22. Sam Harrison
23. Tom Brady
And we’re underway…
Munster’s start has been very composed with half backs Conor Murray and Tyler Bleyendaal dealing comfortably with everything that’s been thrown at them so far. Bleyendaal’s kicking has been top class.
Leicester 0-3 Munster (Bleyendaal pen, 10)
Bleyendaal’s penalty is good and Munster take the lead.
There’s a coming together between Simon Zebo and George Worth. Bleyendaal puts the ball into touch and it’s a line out for Munster.
Bleyendaal started that move with a superb crossfield kick.
Penalty for Munster inside the Leicester 22m. That Munster maul is looking really effective, as it did last week. Peter O’Mahony makes the decision to go for the posts, allowing his head rule his heart. Bleyendaal stands over the kick…
Leicester 0-6 Munster (Bleyendaal pen, 19)
That’s the reason Munster didn’t go for the corner, they’ve such confidence in Bleyendaal’s kicking. Very tidy kick there. Munster build their lead.
Munster illegally turn over Leicester after a brilliant hit and strip from Jaco Taute, but one of his colleagues came in illegally from the side. Owen Williams sends the ball into the stand. The Tigers have a lineout on Munster’s 22.
Bleyendaal misses his first penalty of the afternoon. He just didn’t strike that one right.
The referee is going to the TMO to review a late shoulder by Manu Tuilagi on Rory Scannell. That was late, high and pretty stupid. He’s sent to the sin bin by the referee. Leicester are down to 14 players. That’s their sixth yellow card in the competition so far this year.
Leicester 3-6 Munster (Williams pen, 34)
Munster are quite happy to see Leicester go for the posts after a dangerous move by the English side. Good response there by the Tigers. Owen Williams narrows the gap between the teams and gets Leicester on the board.
It’s a huge boost for Leicester to register that score while down to 14 men. Ellis Genge made an excellent run there.
Owen Williams thumps a penalty into touch near the Munster 22. The Irish province have faded badly near the end of this half. Leicester press for another score before the interval.
Leicester 6-6 Munster (Williams pen, 39)
Williams level us up on the stroke of half-time.
Leicester have handed Munster a golden chance to retake the lead at half-time. Jack Roberts kicked the ball out with three seconds left on the clock, thinking the half was up. From the resultant lineout, Munster win a penalty.
Munster let Leicester off the hook. Jack Roberts smiles as he watches Bleyendaal’s kick sail wide.
HALF-TIME: Leicester 6-6 Munster
We’re back underway for the second 40 minutes.
Leicester 6-9 Munster (Bleyendaal pen, 43)
The perfect start to the second-half by Munster. Bleyendaal nails the penalty to send them back into the lead.
Munster have just about got their noses in front but you do feel the next 10 minutes of this game are absolutely crucial.
Leicester 9-9 Munster (Williams pen, 49)
A very good kick from Williams draws Leicester level. Munster make two changes, it’s unusual to see them making changes so early in the game. Rassie Erasmus clearly feels he needs to do something to spark his side into life.
PENALTY! Leicester have been rampant in the past few minutes and Munster are forced to give away the penalty. Bleyendaal took a bang and rather worryingly he’s receiving treatment.
Leicester 12-9 Munster (Williams pen, 54)
The home side are into the lead for the first time. The pressure is now on Munster to respond.
James Cronin is penalised for scrummaging illegally. It’s one of those marginal decisions that could have gone either way.
We’re into the final 15 minutes as Munster still trail by three.
Leicester 15-9 Munster (Williams pen, 67)
Williams has converted five penalties today. He stretches the lead to six. Munster have a big challenge ahead of them to save this game.
Munster have struggled to go through the multi-phase game that was so successful for them last week.
Munster haven’t scored since the 44th minute of this game. It’s been a real arm wrestle of a game. We’re into the final 10 minutes. Leicester are now playing a territory-type game. Simon Zebo is in the sin bin for another five minutes, as Munster operate with 14 men.
Munster are brave and kick for a lineout instead of taking a shot on goal. The lineout is good and they are inches away from the try line.
Munster are awarded a penalty and Bleyendaal will kick for the corner again.
TRY! Niall Scannell took the brave decision to sheer off and power over the line. Munster are rewarded for their bravery.
Leicester 15-16 Munster (Bleyendaal conversion, 76)
Bleyendaal slips as he kicks the conversion but it just about sneaks over the crossbar. We’re in for a frantic final couple of minutes.
Leicester 18-16 Munster (Williams pen, 79)
The longest kick of the season for Williams edges Leicester back in front. That was a sensational kick from distance. From 52 yards Williams nailed it. All Leicester have to do now is hold onto possession and kick the ball into touch.
FULL-TIME: Leicester 18-16 Munster
What a finish it was to that game. You have to admire Leicester’s courage and character. Despite a very good opening 30 minutes, Munster lost their way. They never controlled possession like they did last week. Huge win for Leicester. That’s Munster’s first defeat in eight games, but at least they’ll take a losing bonus point out of the visit to England.
That’s all from me, thanks a lot for joining us.
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