Munster Lose in Edinburgh

Munster lost to Edinburgh at Meadowbank on Friday night by 20-9. Despite starting with some strong attacks and an O’Sullivan Penalty, Munster could not catch up with the Scots once they took the lead.

Munster lost to Edinburgh at Meadowbank on Friday night by 20-9. Despite starting with some strong attacks and a Conrad O’Sullivan Penalty, Munster could not catch up with the Scots once they took the lead. Edinburgh’s Todd Blackadder was forced to leave the fray midway through the first half – and then centre Tom Philip was taken off with a knee problem. Munster went into attack from the outset and rocked Edinburgh by taking the lead with a penalty by Conrad O’Sullivan. But the home side were quickly stung into action at the other end. Inspired by a try-saving tackle by Hugo Southwell on Martin McPhail, they levelled with a long-range Brendan Laney kick. The Scotland reject grabbed the lead in identical fashion before Andy Dall claimed the crucial opening try following a well-controlled maul. Laney managed another penalty from a wide angle. But with Derrick Lee in the sin bin, Munster clawed back three points thanks to O’Sullivan before the break. Edinburgh found themselves under heavy pressure after the restart; yet they added to their advantage. They cashed in on a Munster knock-on to race up field where Marcus Di Rollo and Simon Webster combined to send Ally Hogg cruising in under the posts to give Laney an easy conversion. O’Sullivan reduced the leeway with his third penalty, but Edinburgh held out for the vital win.

Munster:

D Crotty; M McPhail, M Mullins, C O Sullivan, M Lawler; J Holland, E Reddan; S Kerr, A Long, F Roche, T Hogan, S Keogh, D Leamy, J Williams, C McMahon.

Replacements: Eugene McGovern James Blaney Donal Sheehan Tom Hayes Frank Murphy Keith Matthews Clem Casey

Edinburgh:

D Lee; S Webster, C Joiner, T Philip, H Southwell; B Laney, R Lawson; C Smith, A Kelly, R Mathieson, G Perrett, A Kellock, T Blackadder capt, A Hogg, S Cross. Subs: C Di Ciacca, J Brannigan, N Pike, A Dall, G Burns, A Warnock, M Di Rollo.