Five-try Munster overhaul 13-man Stade Français

MATCH REPORT: Munster got their European campaign off to an excellent start after securing a bonus-point 33-7 win over Stade Francais at Thomond Park.

Munster opened the scoring after a Jack Crowley 50-22 got Munster into prime position, where, from a line-out maul, Craig Casey went down the blindside before passing to Man of the Match Thaakir Abrahams, who crossed in the corner.

Crowley’s touchline conversion sailed through the posts to give Munster a 7-0 lead.

Midway through the first half, Stade started to dominate possession and territory.

During this period, Alex Nankivell received a yellow card for a high tackle.

Despite this, Munster went further ahead.

A Casey box-kick was superbly plucked out of the air from Abrahams and from this, the ball was spread wide to Daly, who on his 100th appearance for Munster, produced a moment of magic.

The Cork man chipped the ball over the Stade defence before hitting the bouncing ball on the volley to touch down for Munster’s second try. Crowley’s conversion ensured a 14-0 lead.

Munster came close to scoring a third try at the end of the first half with the home side opting for a tap-and-go five metres out rather than a shot at the posts but unfortunately, after a number of phases, the ball went forward and referee Luke Pearce signalled for half-time.

A superb line-out steal from Peter O’Mahony set up a lovely passage of play between the Cork man and Abrahams with Munster almost getting over for a try but the visitors won the turnover.

However, in the build-up, O’Mahony received a strike to the head from Stade second row Azagho which resulted in a red card.

From the penalty, Munster kicked to the corner and the line-out maul rumbled on which saw Alex Kendellen power over for a try.

The visitors saw red again from the kick-off when their other second row forward, Pesenti, left the field of play when he lifted Craig Casey upside down in a very dangerous tackle attempt.

From the resulting penalty, Munster went up the field and spread the ball wide to Tom Farrell who crossed for his first European try for Munster to secure the bonus point.

Munster went asleep at a line-out on the 58-minute mark when Stade Francais went down the blindside from this set-piece to score in the corner.

Entering the last 20 minutes, Munster had a 28-7 lead but were guilty of making mistakes to hand possession back to the visitors.

However, with the clock approaching 80 minutes, Munster got their fifth try after creating a big overlap which resulted with Gavin Coombes crossing in the corner.

Munster now travels to France to take on Castres next Friday.

The scorers

For Munster
Tries: Abrahams, Daly, Kendellen, T Farrell, Coombes
Cons: Crowley 4

For Stade Français
Try: Castets
Con: Henry

Red cards: Pierre-Henri Azagoh (Stade Français, 48 – foul play, strike to the head of an opponent), Baptiste Pesenti (Stade Français, 52 – foul play, spear tackle)
Yellow card: Alex Nankivell (Munster, 24 – foul play, high tackle)

Teams:

Munster: 15 Shane Daly, 14 Calvin Nash, 13 Tom Farrell, 12 Alex Nankivell, 11 Thaakir Abrahams, 10 Jack Crowley, 9 Craig Casey, 8 Gavin Coombes, 7 Alex Kendellen, 6 Peter O’Mahony, 5 Fineen Wycherley, 4 Evan O’Connell, 3 John Ryan, 2 Diarmuid Barron (captain), 1 Dian Bleuler.
Replacements: 16 Niall Scannell, 17 Kieran Ryan, 18 Stephen Archer, 19 Tadhg Beirne, 20 John Hodnett, 21 Paddy Patterson, 22 Billy Burns, 23 Jack O’Donoghue.

Stade Francais: 15 Joe Jonas, 14 Charles Laloi, 13 Joe Marchant, 12 Pierre Boudehent, 11 Samuel Ezeala, 10 Zack Henry, 9 Thibaut Motassi, 8 Yoan Tanga, 7 Ryan Chapuis (captain), 6 Pierre Huguet, 5 Baptiste Pesenti, 4 Pierre-Henri Azagoh, 3 Francisco Gomez Kodela, 2 Lucas Peyresblanques, 1 Clement Castets.
Replacements: 16 Luka Petriashvili, 17 Moses Alo-Emile, 18 Paul Alo-Emile, 19 Setareki Turagacoke, 20 Andy Timo, 21 Juan Martin Scelzo, 22 Louis Foursans-Bourdette, 23 Louis Carbonel.

Referee: Luke Pearce (England)
Assistant referees: Joe James (England), Jamie Leahy (England)
TMO: Andrew Jackson (Eng)