Report | Five-Try Win For Munster Over Ospreys

Munster completed their Heineken Champions Cup campaign with a five-try win over Ospreys at Thomond Park on Sunday afternoon.

The tries were scored by CJ Stander (two), Stephen Archer, Man of the Match Conor Murray and Craig Casey with the young scrum-half scoring within seconds of coming on.

Calvin Nash, Ben Healy and Jack O’Sullivan made their European debuts in the clash with Fineen Wycherley making his first start in the Champions Cup.

The crowd supported Munster superbly from the off with the official attendance of 19,891 the highest attendance across all round 6 fixtures in the competition.

A late change to the starting XV saw Sammy Arnold replace Chris Farrell at outside centre.

Munster trailed 6-0 early on after a strong Ospreys start with Luke Price landing two long-range penalties for a Munster high tackle and scrum infringement respectively.

Munster hit the front for the first time just past the half hour after Sammy Arnold and Murray made the initial breaks down the right wing before Stander finished off the move. JJ Hanrahan’s conversion put Munster 7-6 in front.

Johann van Graan’s men had the momentum and scored their second try just before the break with Dan Goggin doing superbly to claim JJ’s crossfield kick and Archer eventually scoring off the base of the post. JJ converted for a 14-6 half-time lead.

It was nearly all one-way traffic in the second half and Murray stretched to score from close range for the third try after 47 minutes.

Rory Scannell looked to have scored the bonus-point try on 55 minutes but lost the ball forward as he looked to ground after Arnold sent him through.

Munster had the penalty advantage however and attacked again with Mike Haley held up over the line. From the resulting five-yard scrum, Casey scored his first Munster try with his first touch of the game as he sidestepped through for a great score.

The hosts refused to let-up with the rampaging Jack O’Donoghue leading the charge and Nash was unlucky to spill possession after an excellent chip and chase.

A yellow card for Olly Cracknell saw Ospreys reduced to 14 and Munster kept up the pressure with Stander driving over late on for the fifth try and Hanrahan added the extras.

Champions Cup Round 6 Round-Up

Calvin Nash made his Champions Cup debut and Fineen Wycherley made his first Champions Cup start.

The game was Dave Kilcoyne’s 50th Champions Cup appearance.

Greencore Munster Rugby Academy duo Jack O’Sullivan and Ben Healy made their Champions Cup debuts off the bench.

Chris Farrell was withdrawn after sustaining a knee contusion in training.

Munster: Mike Haley (Ben Healy, 68); Andrew Conway (Dan Goggin, 10), Sammy Arnold, Rory Scannell, Calvin Nash; JJ Hanrahan, Conor Murray (Craig Casey, 57); Dave Kilcoyne (Jeremy Loughman, 66), Niall Scannell (Kevin O’Byrne, 67), Stephen Archer (John Ryan, 53); Fineen Wycherley, Billy Holland (Arno Botha, 66); Peter O’Mahony (C) (Jack O’Sullivan, 60), Jack O’Donoghue, CJ Stander.