Munster, who like the other Irish provinces had already qualified for the business end of  the competition prior to today’s game, produced a dominant performance against the English Premiership Rugby side.

Murray opens the scoring

Conor Murray opened the scoring in usual circumstances. With Munster dominant in possession in the opening stages of the game, Wasps knocked the ball back to Murray when attempting to prevent Tadhg Beirne receiving possession. With many of the visitors believing Beirne had knocked the ball on, some stopped playing as Murray touched down.

The TMO was called into action, with the referee deciding, Beirne hadn’t knocked on when he consulted his officials and viewed the TV footage. Ben Healy added the extras to give the hosts a 7-0 lead within the first 10 minutes of the fixture.

With constant pressure from Munster, Wasps could not withstand the Munster effort and soon conceded a penalty. Healy opted to kick for the posts to extend his team’s advantage to 10-0.

Zebo now Munster’s highest try-scorer in Champions Cup

A deftly chipped through ball from Healy saw Simon Zebo, who was named in the starting team in place of Keith Earls, collect the ball and fight to touch down for his side’s second five-pointer of the afternoon, the first of two on the day for the former Racing 92 man.

The score saw the Corkman join Brian O’Driscoll as the third-highest try-scorer in Heineken Champions Cup history, and surpass the late Anthony Foley as Munster’s top try-scorer in the competition with 24 – it would become 25 later in the day. Ben Healy maintained his 100% record kicking for the posts by converting for 17-0 with less than 20 minutes on the clock.

ZEBO! ZEBO! ZEBO!

Simon Zebo becomes @Munsterrugby‘s top European try scorer, surpassing the late great Axel Foley

Look at what it means! #HeinekenChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/Ce5cw9soLe

— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) January 23, 2022

Dan Robson finally got the Premiership club on the scoreboard when touching down right of the Munster posts in the 26th minute. With Charlie Atkinson adding the conversion, Wasps’ delight was short-lived as Munster immediately headed downfield.

O’Donoghue try on 150th appearance in red

With Wasps scrambling to get back into position, Gavin Coombes burst through the Premiership Rugby side’s defensive effort, before Jack O’Donoghue, on his 150th appearance in red, scored his side’s third try of the afternoon. The reliable Healy kicked the two points for a 24-7 lead with only 30 minutes played.

Gavin Coombes what a carry!

Charlie Atkinson bounces off Coombs who blasts his way past the Wasps defence, setting it nicely for Jack O’Donoghue to finish for @Munsterrugby #HeinekenChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/olJv9DF3J0

— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) January 23, 2022

Gavin Coombes paid the price for constant Munster infringements when yellow-carded minutes before half-time. With Wasps nestled on the Munster line, the home side were penalised a number of times before Coombes was sent to the bin.

With Johann van Graan’s men missing the powerful Coombes, Wasps would have expected to cross the line, but incredible defensive work from the men in red saw them hold out with the referee eventually awarding them a penalty, which relieved the pressure.

A neck injury for Wasps’ Thomas Young saw the player treated on the field with the game stopped for 10 minutes, before being stretchered off to respectful applause from the crowd. The back-row was replaced by Ben Morris.

Half-time: Munster Rugby 24  Wasps Rugby 7

Loughman secures bonus-point try

Prop Jeremy Loughman, named in the starting team earlier in the day when Dave Kilcoyne was sick, scored his first Champions Cup try within the opening minute of the second half.

Munster, who had a penalty kick, opted for the line-out and despite the absence of Coombes, who was still in the sin-bin, the men in red powerfully drove for the try-scoring line, before Loughman crashed over.

With the bonus-point try now secured, Ben Healy added another two points to the score board, which read 31-7 in favour of Munster, with 46 minutes on the stadium game clock.

As both sides emptied their benches, an action that took the continuity and flow out of the game, it didn’t prevent Munster striking for two further tries late in the game.

Simon Zebo scored a second try to the cheers of the Munster faithful, before Rory Scannell claimed a five-pointer with the clock in red. Both scores were converted by Jack Crowley, leaving Johann van Graan’s side 45-7 victors.

Today’s game gave more valuable Champions Cup experience to some of Munster’s younger players, while veteran of 150 appearances in red, Jack O’Donoghue was named Heineken Star of the Match. The Waterford man, at 27 years of age, becomes the youngest Munster player to reach the 150 milestone.

Final score: Munster Rugby 45  Wasps Rugby 7

Munster Rugby:

15. Mike Haley, 14. Andrew Conway, 13. Chris Farrell, 12. Rory Scannell, 11. Simon Zebo, 10. Ben Healy, 9. Conor Murray.

1. Jeremy Loughman, 2. Diarmuid Barron, 3. Stephen Archer, 4. Jean Kleyn, 5. Tadhg Beirne, 6. Peter O’Mahony (captain), 7. Jack O’Donoghue, 8. Gavin Coombes.

Munster Replacements:

16. Scott Buckley, 17. John Wycherley, 18. John Ryan, 19. Fineen Wycherley, 20. John Hodnett, 21. Craig Casey, 22. Jack Crowley, 23. Alex Kendellen.

Try: Murray, Zebo (2), O’Donoghue, Loughman, R Scannell

Conversion: Healy 4, Crowley (2)

Pen: Healy

Wasps:

15. Ali Crossdale, 14. Marcus Watson. 13. Paolo Odogwu, 12. Michael Le Bourgeois, 11. Josh Bassett, 10. Charlie Atkinson, 9. Dan Robson.

1. Tom West, 2. Tom Cruse, 3. Elliot Millar-Mills, 4. Elliott Stooke, 5. James Gaskell, 6. Brad Shields (captain), 7. Thomas Young, 8. Nizaam Carr.

Wasps Replacements:

16. Gabriel Oghre, 17, Rodrigo Martinez, 18. Pieter Scholtz, 19. Tim Cardall, 20. Ben Morris, 21. Will Porter, 22. Rob Miller, 23. Sam Spink.

Try: Robson.

Conversion: Atkinson.

The post Two tries for Zebo as Munster Rugby claim 45-7 Champions Cup win over Wasps appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Murray (32), has admitted that he was surprised to be named captain after Welsh veteran Alun Wyn Jones has been ruled out of the tour from a dislocated shoulder.

The Lions are reeling from the devastating loss of Jones merely lasting seven minutes Saturday’s 28-10 victory over Japan at Murrayfield.

The Limerick man has been a leader for Ireland and Munster on and off the field and is the favourite to start against The Emirates Lions on Saturday.

A player with little to no experience with captaining his teams, Murray has big boots to fill with the loss of Jones.

“We’re all incredibly disappointed for Alun Wyn and Justin,” said Lions head coach Warren Gatland.

“The timing of these injuries seem particularly cruel given we fly to South Africa tomorrow, but unfortunately they’re part of the game.

“Alun Wyn will obviously be a big loss, both on and off the field, but will be ably replaced by Connor.

“Conor is an outstanding rugby player and is held in the highest regard with both the players and coaches. As a three-time Lions tourist, he knows what will be required as captain and I am certain he will lead the squad with excellence. He will also be well supported by an experienced leadership group.

#LionsRugby

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻

Huge congratulations to Conor Murray, who will take over the @lionsofficial Captaincy for the Tour to South Africa! #IrishRugby #ShoulderToShoulder pic.twitter.com/mbyNGJGnFq

— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) June 26, 2021

When asked about his appointment to the captain of the group Murray said: “A little bit to be honest”.

The post Conor Murray makes it a Munster Threesome appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

CLICK HERE FOR LIVE STREAM FOR SCARLETS V MUNSTER

“We’d like to believe as a coaching group that we are a lot better equipped because of the time we’ve had together,” van Graan said yesterday.

We kick-off the new #GuinnessPRO14 campaign this Saturday with a trip to @Scarlets_Rugby at 3pm

See details of our upcoming fixtures #SUAF #NeverStopCompeting

— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) September 29, 2020

Murray Misses Out

Conor Murray will miss out on the province’s visit to Parc y Scarlets which could give 21 year old Craig Casey the opportunity to start at scrum half for the club.

Casey is expected to be rewarded for the improvements he has made in pushing Murray for the No 9 shirt and van Graan wants to see further pressure put on his senior players.

“That’s massive for the squad, one of our big aims is to improve the squad year on year and we don’t want the starting XV to become comfortable,” van Graan said.

“Someone like Craig has really been pushing, he’s pushed Neil (Cronin) and Nick (McCarthy) along as well.

Kilcoyne Blow but Conway Returns

Dave Kilcoyne who injured his ankle in the first game back after the restart is in a similar position to international teammate Murray in that he will miss Saturday’s game, and is doubtful for the Edinburgh game as well.

Joey Carbery will definitely miss out, while full back Shane Daly is a doubt with a thigh injury and will undergo a scan for further assessment.

In good news though Andrew Conway is available for the game after completing his return to play protocols after a concussion.

The Munster side has been named for Saturday’s Guinness PRO14 opener against Scarlets in Wales (3pm — live on eir Sport, TG4 & Premier Sports).

In the back three, full-back Mike Haley and Darren Sweetnam make their first PRO14 appearances since February with Andrew Conway starting on the right wing.

Damian de Allende and Chris Farrell form the centre partnership with Craig Casey and JJ Hanrahan in the half-backs.

James Cronin, Rhys Marshall and John Ryan pack down in the front row with Jean Kleyn and Tadhg Beirne, who faces his former side for the first time, in the second row.

Captain Peter O’Mahony, Jack O’Donoghue and CJ Stander complete the starting XV.

Greencore Munster Rugby Academy out-half Ben Healy is among the replacements.

Munster: Mike Haley; Andrew Conway, Chris Farrell, Damian de Allende, Darren Sweetnam; JJ Hanrahan, Craig Casey; James Cronin, Rhys Marshall, John Ryan; Jean Kleyn, Tadhg Beirne; Peter O’Mahony (C), Jack O’Donoghue, CJ Stander.

Replacements: Kevin O’Byrne, Jeremy Loughman, Stephen Archer, Fineen Wycherley, Gavin Coombes, Neil Cronin, Ben Healy, Rory Scannell.

Upcoming Media Schedule

As always the weekly schedule will confirm details. Guinness PRO14 Round 2 v Edinburgh – Tuesday, October 6.

Accreditation details for the above game will be sent once confirmed.

The post Scarlets v Munster – Preview and Team News – Kick off Saturday 3pm appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.