Munster player ratings: Jack Crowley produces ‘Ronan O’Gara-esque’ display as ‘utterly exceptional’ Tadhg Beirne heroic
Jack Crowley and Tadhg Beirne in action for Munster.
Following a stunning 25-24 victory over La Rochelle in the Investec Champions Cup clash at the Stade Marcel-Deflandre on Saturday, here are the player ratings for Munster.
15 Thaakir Abrahams: Was a big call to bring him straight back into the XV after four months out, but it paid off as the fleet-footed back set up Craig Casey’s try with a brilliant break. 7
14 Calvin Nash: Offered plenty of threat with ball in hand, but he is such a good player in defence and he made several important interventions. The type of display which should earn him more international game time. 8
13 Tom Farrell: Made one good break and he was also solid defensively. Farrell has enjoyed a fine season and become a real rock in that midfield. 6
12 Seán O’Brien: Had the big job of replacing the banned Alex Nankivell and O’Brien produced a fine effort. Ran hard with ball in hand and also stood up well in defence. 6
11 Andrew Smith: Like Nash, Smith’s best work was in defence. He did get an early yellow card but made up for that when he came back on. 6
Ronan O’Gara-esque
10 Jack Crowley: A drop-goal that Ronan O’Gara would be proud of, so there would be a certain irony if it costs the Munster legend his job at La Rochelle. Despite making one error, Crowley was otherwise faultless in another excellent Champions Cup display. 8
9 Craig Casey: Classic scrum-half support line to score Munster’s first try while he kicked well throughout to keep La Rochelle at arm’s length. 8
8 Gavin Coombes: A tireless worker in that back-row and it was his charge down and try which changed the momentum. It was a huge moment. 7
7 John Hodnett: The breakdown master was absolutely superb in France, constantly spoiling La Rochelle ball and winning turnovers. Did his job to perfection. 8
6 Peter O’Mahony: Munster’s old warhorse is still going strong and his sheer determination and bloody-mindedness rather summed up the Irish province’s performance against La Rochelle. 7
Big players stepping up
5 Tadhg Beirne (c): Big players step up at key times and Beirne was utterly exceptional in the final quarter. Beirne had already been damn good before then with his huge hit on Tawera Kerr-Barlow providing a much-needed momentum shift after a difficult start for his side. 9
4 Jean Kleyn: Has returned from injury at just the right time for Munster with the big tighthead lock throwinng his weight about throughout. Very good at close quarters. 7
3 Oli Jager: The scrum did its best against a huge La Rochelle front-row, while Jager also did plenty of work in the loose. 7
2 Diarmuid Barron: Set-piece was generally solid and Barron joined the likes of Hodnett and Beirne in making life very difficult for the opposition at the contact area. 7
1 Jeremy Loughman: Like Jager, Loughman scrummaged well and provided a platform for his team to play from. 6
Replacements: The Wycherley brothers, Josh and Fineen, made a fine impact off the bench and they were joined in that regard by the impressive Tom Ahern. Alex Kendellen did get yellow carded but the back-rower came back on to make a couple of important tackles. 8
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