Leinster pip Munster in a Christmas classic

Leinster bested Munster 19-20 (7-6) in a Christmas classic that swung towards one side and the other at Thomond Park on Boxing Day thanks to Leinster’s accuracy and Munster’s enterprise.

Munster have played host to Leinster since 1879 and on nights like these, cult heroes and club legends are forged in the fires of club rivalry. Both sides were littered with Irish internationals.

Twenty minutes into the contest and Leinster were 0-6 up and cruising. Two Ross Byrne penalties were deserved rewards for his side’s early territorial dominance. Had it not been for some excellent red zone defence by the hosts, the URC’s most dominant team would have undoubtedly been further ahead.

Indeed, they were denied a certain try by the jackaling talents of Jack Crowley – playing with the number 12 on his back for the second time this season.

Munster, built on strong foundations at the scrum, constantly tried to play an attractive brand of rugby, positioning their two playmakers – the aforementioned Crowley, and Joey Carbery – either side of the ruck, giving Conor Murray plenty of options in attack.

They went ahead in the 32nd minute thanks to an excellent lineout move. Niall Scannell threw long to Kleyn, and Frisch – another who showed flair with ball in hand – punched a hole into the visiting defence. Suddenly, Scannell was through that Leinster hole, thanks to a glorious Murray pass. It was the kind of which only the best can produce under such pressure, during such a fixture.

Leinster were forced into a penalty and Munster bared their teeth to tap and go. Scannell and captain Peter O’Mahony both came up short before in-form Gavin Coombes flopped over from a yard out.

Advantage Munster by the barest of margins at the interval.

Munster were awarded a penalty try shortly after the break as a dominant maul was pulled down illegally by a scrambling Leinster defence. Max Deegan was sent for a 10-minute break for the infringement.

Graham Roundtree’s Munster revolution looked in full swing: an attractive passing style built on a set-piece foundation. Sounds familiar.

Leinster hit back like only champions can just five minutes later. Scott Penny converted thanks to an exquisite pass by Sheehan so close to the line.

Suddenly the visitors were alive and kicking. Ringrose started to impose himself with ball in hand – and boot – after some vital defence in the first half. Sheehan crossed, again from close range, for his team’s second try, taking him to a whopping seven for the season. Both converted tries were scored while Deegan watched on from the sideline, longing on be involved in all the fun.

In derby matches, six-point leads are things to be cherished and sweated over. But no one told the men in red. Craig Casey’s 50-22 kick gave Munster an attacking platform that he would finish by orchestrating a magnificent score as he put academy graduate Partick Campbell over in the corner.

It was once again a one-point game and that is where it would stay. Leinster ran down the clock smartly and Munster were eventually powerless in falling to a fourth successive defeat to their oldest and greatest rivals.