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THOMOND PARK, Limerick, may
not boast modern spectator facilities but what it does have is
an intimidating atmosphere and a passionate home crowd that has
helped Munster build up an unbeaten Heineken Cup record there.
Last year the venue was centre stage for dramatic scenes as Munster
bundled Gloucester out of the European competition with four tries.
This year Gloucester again outplayed
the Irishmen at Kingsholm but once again back at Thomond Park,
Munster turned the tables on the Cherry and Whites with another
four tries. Unlike Gloucester, they also secured a crucial bonus
point, by scoring four tries and now top the group table having
scored more tries than Gloucester.
Rugby is essentially a team game played
between two sides for a period of eighty minutes. Most unfortunately
for Gloucester they had to play for two spells of ten minutes
with just fourteen men! It is hard enough with a full complement
of fifteen men against top teams but when you are a man down it
becomes very much ‘Mission Impossible’
Chris Fortey in his first outing after
a week’s suspension, was the first to go to the sin-bin for up-ending
a Munster line out forward. Such ill judged acts of stupidity
cost the team dear and have earned him the reputation for being
a liability. Henry Paul had his time out in the second half for
what could have been a hard decision for what was adjudged to
be a deliberate knock on and that effectively finished Gloucester’s
chances as Munster eased through.
PACK OUTPLAYED
On the day Gloucester’s line out just didn’t
function and the scrum was under non-stop pressure as Munster’s
pack out-muscled their opponents and had obviously done their
homework and were consequently much better prepared than the previous
week.
Gloucester had made a reasonable start,
surviving the expected initial Munster onslaught, tackling well
and putting the Munster half backs under pressure. Henry Paul
kicked an early penalty to put the visitors in front as this time
they tried to play positive rugby, rather than the negative containing
game which cost them so dear on their previous visit to Limerick.
LINE OUT BALL LOST
Ominously for Gloucester, Munster began to steal
ball on the Gloucester throw with worrying regularity and soon
after Fortey’s departure Irish international prop Marcus Horan
was driven over for the first try.
H.P was in fine form with the boot and
kept Gloucester in the game with three penalty goals from three
attempts in the first half.
Munster hooker Frankie Sheehan then got
in on the scoring act, burrowing over from close range as the
force was very clearly with the home side as their forwards ruled
the roost and Gloucester were hard pressed to hold out.
HANGING ON AT HALF TIME
Horgan added his second try close to half time
and Munster were well on top and Gloucester were struggling to
hang on at 19-9 at the break Gloucester’s backs had defended well
and gave the distinct impression that if only they had got their
share of the ball they would have had the edge over their opponents
but were forced to live off scraps of possession.
A fine run by full back Jon Goodridge
raised Gloucester’s hopes briefly with an excellent try but it
was not to be, although Marcel Garvey put in some strong runs
the ball was spilled and that was as close as it got for Gloucester.
H.P departed for his time in the bin
and as had happened last year O’Garas’ kicking got better and
better as the game went on, driving Gloucester back and slotting
two penalties.
Duncan MacRae, booed every time he touched
the ball, attempted an audacious interception close to the Gloucester
line, missed the ball and with the wide open spaces at their mercy,
Munster added the coup de grace, as John Kelly scored their bonus
fourth try.
Game, set and match to Munster, all too
easily.
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Out-
muscled again in Munster