Munster player ratings v Ospreys: ‘Form of his life’ centre ‘leads by example’ and newcomer shows ‘enviable’ work rate
Alex Nankivell led the Munster defence at Ospreys on a night where Jack Crowley, inset, also did well
Following a 26-10 victory over the Ospreys in the United Rugby Championship clash at Brewery Field on Saturday, here are the Munster player ratings.
Backs
15 Mike Haley: His blocked 28th-minute clearance kick could have been costly, but he got away with it thanks to Shane Daly and he was celebrating again not long into the second half by scoring his team’s fourth try for the bonus point. Carried well in general, which was important for his team. 6
14 Calvin Nash: A quiet night in what was a rare start for him this season, but it didn’t totally pass him by as it was his well-timed clear-out that freed up the breakdown ball in the creation of the Haley score. 5
13 Tom Farrell: The new Ireland international hasn’t enjoyed the best of club returns, but his defence was on point here, ensuring there was nothing but midfield trouble for the Ospreys. 6
12 Alex Nankivell: In the form of his life and the glue in this on-point Munster back line defence. His best moment was the penalty-winning turnover after the Ospreys No.8 threatened the line from a scrum. That was leading by example. 8
11 Shane Daly: Enjoying a result-influencing flourish under new boss Clayton McMillan. Here, a trip on him led to an Ospreys yellow card and he exploited the space by soon scoring. Then, tidied up diligently after Haley’s blocked kick. 7
10 Jack Crowley: Came up with his second try in three matches, producing an emphatic finish on the stroke of half-time to leave Ospreys with a mountain to climb. Nicely pulled the strings in the opening half against the wind, laying the foundation for the win. The second half with the wind didn’t go as well, but it didn’t matter. Bring on Leinster and Sam Prendergast next weekend. 7
9 Paddy Patterson: Rare start for a player whose career has stalled. Some handling errors frustrated but he stuck at it and can be pleased with the break that set up the Crowley try. Needs way more exposure, though, to really bring his game on. 6
Forwards
8 Gavin Coombes: Wasn’t as influential as you had expected in the carry in a slow tempo game, but his intelligence was evident when it most mattered. He could have gone himself from the back of a ruck and tried to make the line, but he instead correctly recognised Daly was the better option and his assist got Munster into a lead they never lost. 6
7 Alex Kendellen: Having had the first months of his season wrecked by injury, his work rate in Bridgend was a reminder of what he has to offer. The chopped topped the tackle chart. 7
6 Jack O’Donoghue: The skipper looked crestfallen to be singled out for the yellow card brandished when Munster conceded a second-half try. That disappointment, though, was a good reflection on his level of commitment to his team’s much-improved defence. 6
5 Fineen Wycherley: Another is who is ticking along nicely with McMillan now at the helm. This was a welcome comeback after a hand injury ruled him out last weekend. Tidy and robust in his contribution. 6
4 Jean Kleyn: Having missed the battering at Bath, his value to Munster was seen in last weekend’s grind versus Gloucester. It was similar here, the Springbok bringing nuisance value and heft to frustrate the Ospreys. 7
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3 Michael Ala’alatoa: Showed potential to be one of the signings of the Irish rugby season. His work rate is enviable, and he deserves a pat for the improvement in the Munster set-piece. 6
2 Niall Scannell: Only played about half an hour, so this rating really belongs to sub hooker Lee Barron, who was driving over the try line at the back of a maul. Another front-rower whose industry and enthusiasm caught the eye. 6
1 Jeremy Loughman: Munster’s scrum had its difficult moments, but the loosehead’s winning of a penalty on an Ospreys feed was the prompt to ignite the pressure that resulted in the Barron score. That was important. 6
Replacements: Hooker Barron led the charge with his first-half introduction, but Munster can’t be chuffed with what the second half brought. With wind advantage, the incentive was there for the bench to add energy and inflict further misery on the Ospreys, but it didn’t happen. 5
