Munster fell just agonisingly short against Northampton Saints at Franklin’s Gardens in a thrilling encounter which yielded nine tries.

Both sides had possession in the opening two and a half minutes but it was Saints who came out on top with a 50:22 giving them excellent field position. Some stern Munster defence off the resulting lineout ended in a turnover with the visitors soon getting a penalty to clear the danger.

A few moments later, Saints won possession from a box kick but Alex Kendellen produced an excellent breakdown turnover to win a penalty.

Munster produced a nice move off the resulting lineout as Calvin Nash carried hard into the home side’s 22 but Munster were penalised as Mike Haley cleared out a player beyond the ruck.

The see-saw nature of the match continued with Saints looking dangerous in the Munster half but they spilled the ball forward before getting penalised for holding on.

Unfortunately Munster were unable to secure possession from the lineout and Northampton took advantage. A dangerous kick in behind saw Munster carry the ball over the dead ball line before Northampton possession from the resulting scrum eventually saw winger Tom Seabrook cross in the corner. Fin Smith’s conversion drifted wide.

Munster drew level on 24 minutes. Tadhg Beirne stole a Saints lineout before carrying upfield. Conor Murray then spotted space in the backfield and produced an excellent kick for Calvin Nash to chase as the Limerick man won the foot race to dot down. Crowley’s touchline conversion sailed through the posts as Munster took a 5-7 lead.

Munster extended that lead after a Haley 50:22 gave Munster some territory. From the lineout possession, Munster edged closer to the line before Saints were penalised for offside. Crowley notched the penalty to give Munster a 5-10 lead with 12 minutes of the first half remaining.

Munster were soon further in front when Nash crossed for his second try after some excellent play. Crowley’s conversion unfortunately drifted wide with Munster’s lead now 5-15.

Saints piled on the pressure at the end of the first half which saw a number of penalty concessions from the men in red. This led to a yellow card for Gavin Coombes before Saints mauled over for a try through Curtis Langdon. Smith converted to leave Munster’s lead at three points at the interval.

On 48 minutes, Saints got their third try when the home side created space out wide as Seabrook went over for his second. Smith’s conversion dropped short as Saints took a two point lead.

That period would prove crucial with Saints scoring 12 points while Coombes was in the bin.

The home side’s lead stretched out to nine points when James Ramm received a ball at pace to burst through the Munster defence and cross for his side’s fourth try which Smith converted.

Munster reduced the deficit moments later when Crowley notched a penalty to leave the score at 24-18. Unfortunately, Munster conceded a penalty soon after which saw Smith stretch the lead back out to 27-18.

Munster got back into the game with a beautiful try from Diarmuid Kilgallen after Conor Murray produced a reverse pass to the supporting winger. Crowley’s conversion saw Saints’ lead reduced to two points with 15 minutes remaining.

It was Saints who got the next crucial try through Seabrook who completed a hattrick with Smith converting to put it back out to a nine-point game.

Kilgallen scored a try with a minute remaining and with Crowley’s touchline conversion sailing through the posts, there were just two points between the sides with 60 seconds remaining.

Munster made their way up the pitch but the home side stole the ball at the breakdown with the clock in the red with the comeback just stopping short as Ian Costello’s side leave Franklin’s Gardens with two bonus points.

Investec Champions Cup Round 4 Round-Up

Munster have qualified for the Round-of-16 of the Investec Champions Cup.

Munster are currently in second in Pool 3 with Saracens set to play Castres on Sunday. Saracens are two points behind Munster as it stands.

Tom Seabrook was awarded the Player of the Match.

Munster: Mike Haley; Calvin Nash (Butler 63′), Tom Farrell, Rory Scannell, Diarmuid Kilgallen; Jack Crowley, Conor Murray (Patterson; Dian Bleuler (Ryan 71′), Diarmuid Barron (Scannell 49′), Oli Jager (Archer 49′), Fineen Wycherley (Ahern 49′), Tadhg Beirne (C); Peter O’Mahony (O’Donoghue 49′), Alex Kendellen (Gleeson 67′), Gavin Coombes.

Replacements: Niall Scannell, John Ryan, Stephen Archer, Tom Ahern, Jack O’Donoghue, Paddy Patterson, Tony Butler, Brian Gleeson.