Good afternoon and welcome along to our live coverage of today’s Pool 4 clash from Welford Road, where Munster are looking to make it back-to-back wins against the Exeter following last Saturday night’s 33-10 win at Thomond Park.
Kick off in Leicester is at 5.30pm, and we’ll have all the build-up between now and then right here.
Let’s have a quick reminder of today’s teams…
Munster:
15. Simon Zebo
14. Darren Sweetnam
13. Sam Arnold
12. Rory Scannell
11. Alex Wootton
10. Ian Keatley
9. Conor Murray
1. Dave Kilcoyne
2. Kevin O’Byrne
3. Stephen Archer
4. Jean Kleyn
5. Billy Holland
6. Peter O’Mahony (Captain)
7. Chris Cloete
8. CJ Stander
Replacements:
16. Niall Scannell
17. Brian Scott
18. John Ryan
19. Darren O’Shea
20. Jack O’Donoghue
21. Duncan Williams
22. JJ Hanrahan
23. Keith Earls.
Leicester Tigers:
15. Mathew Tait
14. Adam Thompstone
13. Manu Tuilagi
12. Matt Toomua
11. Jonny May
10. George Ford
9. Ben Youngs
1. Kyle Traynor
2. Tom Youngs (Captain)
3. Dan Cole
4. Mike Fitzgerald
5. Graham Kitchener
6. Valentino Mapapalangi
7. Mike Williams
8. Sione Kalamafoni
Replacements:
16. Tatafu Polota-Nau
17. Logovi’i Mulipola
18. Chris Baumann
19. Dom Barrow
20. Luke Hamilton
21. Sam Harrison
22. Joe Ford
23. Nick Malouf.
Here are the 23 Munster men that will face the Leicester Tigers in the Champions Cup at Welford Road on Sunday (5.30pm).#SUAF #LEIvMUN pic.twitter.com/9PbyC0PAOF
— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) December 15, 2017
TEAM NEWS 📋 | #LEIvMUN 🏉
— Leicester Tigers (@LeicesterTigers) December 15, 2017
Here is your #tigersfamily 🐯 side for this Sunday’s #ChampionsCup 🏆 clash with Munster at Welford Road, including the return of an international centre pairing from injury. pic.twitter.com/mstzo5fGhJ
A dry evening in Leicester as the travelling Munster players continue to arrive at Welford Road.
We can only hope that today’s Champions Cup game is of equal drama and brilliance as yesterday’s, with Leinster’s comeback against Exeter at the Aviva Stadium putting them in complete control of Pool 3.
Attention now turns to Munster as they too aim to make it back-to-back wins in Europe against English opposition.
The big news this week saw skipper Peter O’Mahony announce a new contract with the IRFU, with the spotlight firmly on the 28-year-old again this evening following a brilliant individual display at Thomond Park last weekend.
Johann van Graan will be looking for a similar team performance from his side at Welford Road if they are to maintain top spot in Pool 4 ahead of Racing 92, who are level on 11 points.
A little over 20 minutes to go before we get underway.
This meeting is not only important for the current pool standings, but Munster could be on the brink of history were they to inflict back-to-back defeats on Leicester, who have always been able to bounce back from an initial defeat in Europe.
Read more on today’s game here:
🎥 @MunsterRugby arriving at Welford Road ahead of our final match a little later on. #ChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/xL1xEJPTC0
— Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) December 17, 2017
#LEIvMUN 🏆 | Warm Up underway! pic.twitter.com/tXDs5IFOPv
— Leicester Tigers (@LeicesterTigers) December 17, 2017
Just minutes to go now before we get underway. In teams news Johann van Graan has made two changes to the starting XV from last Saturday’s win at Thomond Park.
It’s a first European start for Kevin O’Byrne as he and winger Darren Sweetnam are promoted from the bench, with Andrew Conway and Rhys Marshall continuing to follow the return-to-play protocols.
Notable returnees come in the form of Keith Earls and Niall Scannell from their respective hamstring and thumb injuries.
They are included in the matchday 23 while Billy Holland continues in the second row having already started all 13 of Munster’s matches so far this season.
Perfect evening for rugby at Welford Road. pic.twitter.com/u1ErVwXW3L
— Ryan Bailey (@RyanK_Bailey) December 17, 2017
KICK-OFF: 1 – Leicester 0-0 Munster: We’re underway at Welford Road as Leicester kick off!
1– Leicester 0-0 Munster: Leicester earn an early penalty inside the opening minute as George Ford prepares to take the kick.
2 – Leicester 3-0 Munster: Ford makes no mistake and kicks a clean effort flying between the posts as first blood goes to the Tigers.
2' First points of the night go to the #tigersfamily as @George_Fordy sends a successful penalty attempt through the posts. #LEIvMUN 🏆
— Leicester Tigers (@LeicesterTigers) December 17, 2017
2 – Leicester 3-0 Munster: Munster dominate the first big scrum of the evening and earn their first penalty of the game — it’s loosehead Kyle Traynor who’s penalised for Leicester.
6 – Leicester 3-0 Munster: Ian Keatley punts the kick from 60 yards right into the corner. It’s a brilliant piece of skill following two very nervous early touches for the Dubliner.
8 – Leicester 3-0 Munster: A good lineout maul from Munster in the corner. An eager Ben Youngs came in from the side and Munster have another penalty in succession in a promising position under the posts.
10 – Leicester 3-3 Munster: We’re all square as Ian Keatley makes no mistake and kicks the penalty over to put Munster’s first points on the board. That all started from the 30-year-old’s pinpoint kick into the corner a few minutes before, and it ends with a well-taken penalty from Keatley too.
PEN | Keats kicks the penalty
— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) December 17, 2017
after 10 #LEIvMUN 3-3
12 – Leicester 8-3 Munster: TRY!!! Leicester make a snappy switch of play and expose a massive gap at the blind side. It’s a wonderful run from Matt Tait who touches down under the posts.
12’ TRY - MAT TAIT!!
— Leicester Tigers (@LeicesterTigers) December 17, 2017
A switch of play at the ruck brings the play to the blind side and Mat Tait offers a show-and-go to score! #LEIvMUN 🏆 pic.twitter.com/Yx1WUoKyjY
14 – Leicester 10-3 Munster: Ford knocks the conversion over and Leicester have a seven point lead.
16 – Leicester 10-3 Munster: Munster take possession but again Leicester force the turnover and the referee calls a penalty to the hosts. Dan Cole is having a commanding display so far.
20 – Leicester 10-3 Munster: It’s a good lineout from European debutant Kevin O’Byrne and the ball is worked out to Darren Sweetnam close to the 10m line. It’s a promising move but Alex Wootton hands possession over following a sloppy kick.
23 – Leicester 10-3 Munster: Munster win another lineout and manage to chip the ball deep into the 22 via Conor Murray. Leicester push back but only succeed in conceding a penalty which is at a comfortable distance for Keatley.
24 – Leicester 10-6 Munster: Keatley knocks it over and the referee has a word with Dan Cole and his captain Tom Youngs, with the former deemed to have lost his composure and discipline for a moment conceding that penalty. The gap is down to four points.
PEN | Keats kicks his 2nd penalty after 24' #LEIvMUN 10-6
— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) December 17, 2017
26 – Leicester 10-6 Munster: Ooooof that was close. Chris Cloete makes a powerful, charging break however his offload is poorly timed after covering a huge distance. The ball goes forward approaching the 22 and Leicester regain possession (offering a momentary sigh of relief they weren’t punished there).
An early change for the hosts.
28' Early replacement made by MOC for the #tigersfamily
— Leicester Tigers (@LeicesterTigers) December 17, 2017
⤴️ @logoviimulipola
⤵️ @KyleTraynor
[10-6] #LEIvMUN 🏆
29– Leicester 10-6 Munster: It’s another good lineout from Munster. Keatley kicks another another crossfield ball out to Darren Sweetnam but he is driven out of touch.
33 – Leicester 10-6 Munster: Munster earn a penalty (their ninth of the first half), giving Keatley a chance to bring it back to a one point game. Dan Cole penalised for not releasing, conceding his fourth penalty of the evening thus far.
34 – Leicester 10-9 Munster: Keatley knocks it over confidently to make it three from three for him as Munster continue to erode away at Leicester’s lead which is getting slimmer and slimmer.
35 – Leicester 10-9 Munster: Murray with another box kick which forces Munster back out of their own 22 following the restart and relieve the pressure.
37 – Leicester 10-9 Munster: Some brilliant punishing play following a terribly poor lineout from Leicester. Keatley gathers and feeds the ball to CJ Stander who pushes forward with momentum. Tigers are forced offside following the drive forward and Munster have another penalty within kicking distance.
39 – Leicester 10-12 Munster: Keatley kicks it between the posts which makes it four for four from him, giving his side the lead for the first time this evening as we approach the break. An effective turnaround.
39' Keatley adds the extra three and Munster take the lead for the first time tonight.
— Leicester Tigers (@LeicesterTigers) December 17, 2017
[10-12] #LEIvMUN 🏆
40 – Leicester 10-12 Munster: Dan Cole is given a yellow card and is sent to the sin bin. He has given away half of his side’s penalties this evening and, being frank, has suffered a frustrating last 20 minutes.
Commentator just said it all.”Munster will be delighted as they have had to put in no effort for points- Tigers giving them on a plate”.
— T Finn-Kelcey (@TFinnKelcey) December 17, 2017
42 – Leicester 10-12 Munster: Conor Murray tries a final penalty off the ground from a demanding 54m but it tails off to the right as we approach the break. That is that.
HALF-TIME: LEICESTER 10-12 MUNSTER
HALF-TIME: Ian Keatley's boot has nudged @MunsterRugby ahead after a strong start from the hosts. #ChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/DY6j2pGhEu
— Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) December 17, 2017
HT | The whistle goes in Welford Rd where it's Leicester 10 Munster 12 #LEIvMUN
— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) December 17, 2017
Well, what did we make of that? It’s still all in the balance but Leicester’s ill-discipline has really cost them inside the opening 40 minutes. Mathew Tait’s excellent try got them off to the best possible start but Ian Keatley’s consistent kicking has Munster narrowly ahead. Dan Cole has had an awful time of it, sent to the sin bin just before the break.
An entertaining first half in Leicester as Munster take a two point lead into the break.
SECOND HALF: 40 – Leicester 10-12 Munster: We’re back underway for the second half…
41 – Leicester 10-12 Munster: Ian Keatley gets us back underway. Leicester break away from the restart however Mathew Tait’s chip through has too much on it and flies out of play.
42 – Leicester 10-17 Munster: TRY!!! CJ Stander gets it over the line as the referee awards it following some uncertainty. He consults with the TMO and it stands following some absolutely superb initial feet from Conor Murray.
43 – Leicester 10-19 Munster: Ian Keatley taps over the extras and Munster have exploded into this second half to take a nine point lead. Superb.
45 – Leicester 10-19 Munster: Munster showing a significant amount of confidence as Zebo chips over the Leicester D. Tait just about has it covered at the back and he boots it out for a lineout under pressure.
45 | Zeebs with the chip over the Leicester D, chases, but Tait has it covered off #LEIvMUN Munster lineout outside Tigers 22
— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) December 17, 2017
47 – Leicester 10-19 Munster: The crowd surges into life as Jonny May dodges a handful of challenges skilfully before booting a brilliant straight kick and chasing it deep inside the Munster 22. Murray, Cloete and Rory Scannell scamper back and diffuse the danger. Outstanding footwork from May there.
50 – Leicester 10-19 Munster: Excellent approach play from Leicester earns the hosts a penalty. They almost got over the line via Adam Thompstone but his handling was not up to scratch approaching the endline.
51 – Leicester 13-19 Munster: George Ford knocks it over and Leicester are within a converted try of Munster now as they turn the screw and up the ante.
51' Successful attempt on goal from @George_Fordy adds another three points and closes Munster's gap to six.
— Leicester Tigers (@LeicesterTigers) December 17, 2017
[13-19] #LEIvMUN 🏆
Pictured: Dave Kilcoyne and Peter O’Mahony celebrate CJ Stander’s try
55 – Leicester 13-19 Munster: Leicester succeed in maintaining the upper hand by winning a turnover penalty thanks to second-half introduction Luke Hamilton, who has made an immediate impact.
58 – Leicester 13-19 Munster: Another good scrum from Leicester inside the opposition 22. Munster have made two switches with John Ryan and Niall Scannell.
SUB | John Ryan & Niall Scannell on for Archer & O'B after 57' #LEIvMUN Scans returns after thumb injury picked up in opening round v Castres.
— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) December 17, 2017
60 – Leicester 13-19 Munster: John Ryan is shown a yellow card for slapping the ball out of an opponent’s hands. He is only just on the pitch a matter of moments and he is back off again for a strange, cynical foul.
61 – Leicester 16-19 Munster: George Ford knocks over the penalty with ease. Leicester are within three points and back in the thick of this with 20 minutes to go.
Yellow for John Ryan.
— The Loose Head 🏉 (@TheLooseH) December 17, 2017
This is very frustrating.
POM furious. #LEIvMUN
63 – Leicester 16-19 Munster: Simon Zebo goes for a dramatic Garryowen — he is hit late in the tackle and Munster earn the penalty.
65 — Leicester 16-19 Munster: Ian Keatley can’t knock it over and he registers his first miss of the evening with the ball dropping well wide of the posts. Munster miss the chance to create a bit of breathing space.
66 – Leicester 16-19 Munster: CJ Stander concedes a penalty for an extra roll on the ground, not releasing possession. Ford punts the ball way into the corner as Leicester push forward again.
We're into the final quarter and there's plenty of life left in this one!
— Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) December 17, 2017
📌 Leicester 16-19 Munster
📸 BT Sport 2
💻 Live blog: https://t.co/vPjW46K5vv#ChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/aRzPERIfvi
Another switch for Munster.
SUB | Jack O'Donoghue is on for Cloete after 66 #LEIvMUN
— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) December 17, 2017
67 – Leicester 16-19 Munster: Sammy Arnold and Alex Wootton applying real pressure as Leicester are pinned inside their own 22, driving Tait brilliantly out of touch.
69 – Leicester 16-19 Munster: George Ford pings a stunning kick right into the corner. O’Mahony thought he had enough ground to cover it as the ball went over his head but it goes out of touch for a Leicester lineout. Superb kick as Munster continue to be put under real pressure
72 – Leicester 16-19 Munster: Penalty Munster following more incredible, intense work in the maul with eight minutes to go.
73 – Leicester 16-22 Munster: Keatley succeeds in kicking it over. He is driving Munster towards the finishing line — six point lead and the visitors are growing in confidence with every passing minute.
PEN | Keats kicks the penalty after 73' #LEIvMUN 16-22
— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) December 17, 2017
75 – Leicester 16-22 Munster: Munster successfully wearing the clock down now as the Fields of Athenry echoes around Welford Road with Simon Zebo kicking the ball way into the corner.
76 – Leicester 16-22 Munster: Another penalty to Munster and this may be it with five minutes to go. CJ stander earns it as Tuilagi is penalised for holding on.
78 – Leicester 16-25 Munster: Keatley kicks it between the posts from 30m out and he extend’s Munster’s lead to nine points with only a couple of minutes remaining. They can potentially taste the knockout stages now…
77: Penalty Munster!
— eir Sport (@eirSport) December 17, 2017
Leicester 16-25 Munster. Brilliant from @CJStander to win the penalty & Keatley splits the posts. Live now on BT Sport 2! #LEIvMUN #ChampionsCup
FULL-TIME: LEICESTER TIGERS 16-25 MUNSTER
FT | All over & we win 25-16! #LEIvMUN
— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) December 17, 2017
Great win. Another clean sweep for the Irish provinces. 8 consecutive wins in Europe.
— Cian Tracey (@CianTracey1) December 17, 2017
FT: Leicester 16-25 Munster. Superb display from @Munsterrugby on the road as they win for the first time in 11 years at Welford Road. That was brilliant! #LEIvMUN pic.twitter.com/0jY1AyeDKP
— eir Sport (@eirSport) December 17, 2017
It’s all over! A phenomenal nine point win for Munster who really had to dig it out. They continue to sit atop Pool 4 and secure historic back-to-back wins against fierce rivals Leicester. Plenty more reaction to come from Welford Road. A monumental weekend for the Irish provinces, thanks for joining us!
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