A wonderfully worked score by Francis Saili saw a ballsy Munster rescue a late victory at Glasgow this evening - their 14-12 win seeing them through to the Champions Cup quarter finals.
An occasionally ill-tempered affair was, for the most part, a battle of brawn, with neither side necessarily edging the physicality stakes, but Munster's newfound composure in their opponents' 22 guiding them over the line - literally - at Scotstoun.
Munster's celebrations were cut short by some needless Glasgow antics, but when the Sky cameras cut to the away dressing room minutes after the final whistle, potential scenes were always on the cards.
Nevertheless, surely nobody could have foreseen the sight which followed. When captain Peter O'Mahony was ushered into the middle of his side's huddle, one might have expected him to give a typically rousing speech, or perhaps kick off a rendition of Stand Up and Fight. He was quickly followed by the man who deputised in his absence last season, CJ Stander. Again, nothing overly suspect; Stander is, after all, a leader for his adopted province, and is famously vocal towards teammates.
But there was no team talk. No song. At least, not while Sky's cameras were fixed on the Munster squad indoors. Instead...Eh, well, this happened:
WATCH: @Munsterrugby celebrate in style after brutal contest with @GlasgowWarriors #GLAvMUN HIGHLIGHTS HERE: https://t.co/B8HW1QZ65D pic.twitter.com/beQ581smcI
— Sky Sports Rugby ? (@SkySportsRugby) January 14, 2017
The back row duo seemed to have skipped the 'bromance' stage altogether, and catapulted their relationship into the 'romance' bracket. Whatever the reason for their impassioned embrace, their teammates absolutely loved it - with Donnacha Ryan in particular giving it loads to O'Mahony as he retreated. No surprises there.
As you can plainly see, Alan Quinlan's face after he watched the smooch unfold was one of utter admiration for two men who have never lacked courage, but probably stepped it up a notch - even by their own standards - after this evening's fixture.
This Munster outfit is one of the most unified squads in European rugby, and they proved it once more both on and off the field in Glasgow on another monumental evening for the province.
Update: We contacted CJ's missus to get her view on this latest development, and she didn't let us down. Looks like CJ has escaped a telling off on this occasion.
😆CJ doesn't even kiss me like that!!! I guess its true what they say, real men aren't afraid to show their softer side..?! 🤔😄
— Jean-Marié Stander (@JMNeethling) January 14, 2017
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