Munster will go into next week’s Champions Cup second-leg against Exeter Chiefs hoping to recover a five point deficit, although being in an a position of an uphill battle is something they often relish.
It’s hard to say which side will be more pleased with today’s result, as both would have been expecting more. However, it sets up potentially the most intriguing second-leg round of 16 second clash.
Exeter ran out 13-8 victors, having survived being dealt the blow two yellow card within a minute of each other, putting them down to 13 men.
The home side got off to a flying start with Stuart Hogg scoring a try after latching on to a Tom O’Flaherty break, with just five minutes on the clock.
Fantastic start for Exeter! ⚡
Incredible @ExeterChiefs move, fantastic run by Tom O'Flaherty to create the space for Stuart Hogg to fly in for the try 🙌
Great seeing him play with a smile on his face 😌#HeinekenChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/QOnGEYFS33— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) April 9, 2022
After a relatively uneventful next 30 minutes, Munster’s Jack O’Sullivan received a yellow card before Jacques Vermeulen scored Exeter’s second try after a series of pick and goes close to the line.
Leading 10-0 at half-time, Exeter were in control but threatened to foil themselves with two yellow cards in quick succession.
The first card was for Olly Woodburn in the 60th minute for a high tackle, the second was for Patrick Schickerling for playing the ball on the ground.
Munster were able to take advantage with a try through Shane Daly after a beautiful finish by the winger. At 13-8, a betting man would have probably backed Munster to go on and steal the game.
It was not to be however, and arguably the play of the game came in the 65th minute when Stuart Hogg sent over a monstrous drop-goal in the 65th minute, which may prove crucial when both legs are said and done.
How about that from Stuart Hogg!! 😳
The @ExeterChiefs man sends an almighty drop-kick through the posts from 50 yards! 🙌
Has to be one of the plays of the season! 👏#HeinekenChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/aA5N3zVZ7n— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) April 9, 2022
Exeter could have gone further ahead were it not for some superb as latch ditch defending and a simply astounding try saving tackle from Keith Earls.
Incredible defending from Keith Earls and Chris Farrell!! 💪
Olly Woodburn looked to be clean through after a swift move finds him wide, but the @Munsterrugby men chase him down and force a crucial nock-on 👊#HeinekenChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/bLLxBMpYQ4— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) April 9, 2022
It finished 13-8 with it all to play for next week in the Champions Cup second leg at Thomond Park, and Munster will be buoyed by some epic performances by the of John Hodnett and Jack O’Donoghue who channelled the likes of David Wallace and Alan Quinlan, and showed signs of the Munster of old.
Speaking after the game, Johann van Graan said it was still all to play for in the return fixture.
"Both teams had opportunities to win it there in the end, I think it's a fair result" 🤝@Munsterrugby Head Coach Johann van Graan is pleased with his team's performance, and going back home just five points behind for the second leg 💪#HeinekenChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/yo7HW8vMhn
— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) April 9, 2022
It should be a cracker.
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