Munster v Racing 92: Five takeaways as ‘fitting tribute’ to Anthony Foley propels hosts to victory on ’emotional’ night
Munster's Tadhg Beirne and Racing 92's Maxime Baudonne before Investec Champions Cup game.
Following a 33-25 win for Munster against Racing 92 at Páirc Uí Chaoimh, here’s our five takeaways from the Investec Champions Cup match.
The top line
Munster got their European campaign off to a positive start as they saw off their French visitors in an emotional fixture for the Irish province.
A decade since the death of club great Anthony Foley, Munster had to fight hard to come out with the win and fight they did on Saturday night.
Brian Gleeson, Shay McCarthy, Tadhg Beirne, Fineen Wycherley and Craig Casey crossed, Charlie O’Shea and JJ Hanrahan adding the extras.
For Racing, their scores came via Wilfried Hulleu, Maxime Machenaud and Joey Manu tries, with Antoine Gibert kicking 10 points off the tee.
Fitting Axel tribute
It has been 10 years since the sad passing of Munster Rugby legend Foley and before kick off both teams and the supporters paid their respects.
A decade ago it was when Foley died in his sleep due to a heart rhythm disorder the night before his team was set to take to the field in Paris to face Racing 92, so this Champions Cup pool game between the sides felt somewhat fitting to remember the former Ireland number eight.
There was a shirt swap between respective skippers Beirne and Maxime Baudonne, but the sight of Gleeson, wearing No.24 tonight as the 8 jersey was retired for the night, crashing over the whitewash for the game’s first try early on was something special indeed. It was the tribute.
Half-backs stand tall
Another confident display from young fly-half O’Shea as he continues to settle into the number 10 shirt in the absence of the injured Jack Crowley.
His excellent showing in the United Rugby Championship win over the Bulls earned him this start and he more than repaid the faith shown in him by Clayton McMillan with a measured performance with ball in hand. O’Shea had a solid 58 minutes before being replaced by Hanrahan.
The experience of Casey inside him is clearly helping his transition to top level rugby and his almost full 80 minute showing proved crucial in where the result ended up. The tempo and hunger he provided, especially late on, helped seal victory and it was fitting he claimed the final try.
Frustrating Racing
The Parisians looked a team devoid of confidence and ideas in the opening stanza as error after error and strange decisions became their undoing.
Twice opting for three points in the first 25 minutes was odd in itself in an age where tries win games, and it ultimately left them playing catch-up.
It was only in the second period that they finally backed themselves, increased the tempo and offered greater width, which led to some fluid rugby.
The net result was three tries on the board and a team full of confidence. The question from their fans will be where was this earlier on as it cost them?
Ireland watch
The Munster back-row put in a shift tonight with Sean Edogbo bringing the physical, John Hodnett work-rate and Gleeson the carry. That trio along with Beirne stood out in the forward pack from an Irish perspective while the aforementioned half-backs were the pick of the backline.
But what comes next will be the acid test as a trip to Leinster awaits in the URC, a game that will have Andy Farrell watching intently as he deliberates some key calls ahead of the Nations Championship. How these players fare against their rivals is a fascinating subplot to the Interpro.
READ MORE: Munster v Racing 92: Result, scorers, match stats, line-ups