Munster Out-Muscle Scarlets in Pro14

It was a special evening for Tadhg Beirne, making his 50th appearance against his future employers as he took to the field in Thomond Park as the Scarlets met Munster for the first time since last season’s Pro12 Final. It was also a welcome return to the jersey for Steff Evans who was playing his first game for the Scarlets in 2018 following his red card against the Ospreys in the Boxing Day Derby.
With several Internationals rested in preparation for the La Rochelle game on Friday, Scott Williams, Steff Evans, Samson Lee, Rhys Patchell, Aled Davies, James Davies and Ryan Elias all returned from the Welsh Camp to start for the visitors.
It was an impressive start for the Scarlets, however, decision making could have cost the Scarlets points in the opening 20 minutes as the kicking game was rather over-used and penalty kicks turned down.
Superb work from Rhys Patchell who passed to Paul Asquith set up the first try as James ‘Cubby’ Davies burst through with a blistering run towards the try line before off-loading to Scrum Half Aled Davies who placed the ball over the try line for the first score. Patchell added the simple conversion to give the Scarlets the lead by 0 points to 7.
After turning down the opportunity to put points on the board on two occasions, the Scarlets’ intent was obvious as they opted for another kick to gain a solid attacking position in the Munster twenty-two. However, it could have resulted in the first try for Munster as Wing, Alex Wootton intercepted the ball, but it appeared to have been knocked on. Despite this, he scampered the length of the pitch to cross unopposed under the posts only for the TMO to deem that the ball had indeed come off his upper arm and the try was disallowed.
Despite the impressive standard of rugby from the Scarlets, the Munster scrum proved to be a huge threat and enabled Munster a good attacking platform. Securing the line-out, the home team drove towards the try line but superb work from the Scarlets’ defence held the ball up.
Steff Evans and Will Boyde appeared to have held the ball up a second time when Scrum Half, James Hart, drove over from short-range, however the TMO was unable to find any reason why the try could not be awarded and the try was given. Had the question been whether it was a try or not, the outcome would almost certainly have been different. Ian Keatley failed to add the extras as Munster trailed by 5 points to 7.
Rhys Patchell was offered the opportunity to put Scarlets further ahead but despite being on target, the ball hit the posts, denying the Outside Half the chance to put his side 5 points ahead as half time loomed.
It was a confident first half from the visitors, with Munster fortunate to be just two points behind as the Scarlets dominated the statistics with superior territory and posession. However, both teams were playing a typical game with the Scarlets attempting a wide attacking game with Munster trying to keep things tight, as the score remained 5 – 7 at the break.
It was a far stronger start to the second half from Munster. Despite heroic defending, the wave after wave of quick attack from the Munster forwards from short range eventually saw Robin Copeland power over under the posts. Ian Keatley added the simple conversion to put the home team ahead for the first time by 12 points to 7.
However, the Scarlets were soon back on the attack, recycling the ball well as they worked through the phases before Munster slowed things forcing errors to creep into the Scarlets’ game.
James Davies appeared to be fortunate not to have been shown a card for a possible deliberate trip, but despite a TMO review, referee Mitrea deemed that there was no foul play.
As the game reached the hour mark, it became very much an arial battle with both teams reluctant to run the ball, as the Scarlets began to bring on fresh legs.
Controversy ensued after James Cronin appeared to have crossed the try line, however, despite Mitrea awarding the try, the TMO intercepted to the fury of the Munster faithful and the try was disallowed due to a double movement as Cronin’s arm had hit floor before he placed the ball.
The decision seemed to have given the Scarlets a spark as Steff Evans managed to find some space down the wing, demonstrating his pace. Unfortunately, he knocked the ball on and another scoring chance was thwarted.
A break from Hanrahan saw mis-tackles cost the Scarlets as the home team set up another attack in an attempt to deny the Scarlets any reward from the match as they inched closer to the whitewash.
With just 3 minutes left on the clock, Munster finally got their third try to cement victory with Wootton stretching over to touchdown in the corner. Keatley added the conversion to give the home team the lead by 19 points to 7, denying the Scarlets the losing bonus point.
Despite the start, it was the strength of the Munster pack that was the main difference in the two teams, but as in previous matches, often a loss has made the team even hungrier in the next game as they strive to stamp out errors.
Not that any more motivation is needed, but hopefully, next Friday’s fixture against La Rochelle will be an opportunity for the Scarlets to showcase their skills as they aim to reach the Semi Finals of the Champions’ Cup.
The capacity of Parc y Scarlets has been increased to 15,400 for the fixture with temporary seating in place for the sell-out as the Scarlets aim to make history, kick off is at 5.30pm on Good Friday, March 30th 2018.