Munster squander late lead but escape Paris with crucial point

Munster had to settle for a losing bonus point as some poor game management in the dying minutes saw Racing 92 earn a thrilling 34-30 win but sees the visitors claim a crucial bonus point that keeps the group very much in their own hands.

Conor Murray’s long-range penalty edged his side two points ahead with five minutes to play but straight from the restart former Munster man Donnacha Ryan won a penalty – when Munster could’t resist reefing the ball back illegally on the ground – which Maxime Machenaud slotted over.

It was not the start Johann van Graan would have wanted with four penalties awarded inside the opening six minutes and try conceded. Nyanga try from close range after only three minutes was fully deserved.

A Machenaud penalty six minutes later had the home side in a 10-0 lead with Munster really struggling to get a foothold in the game.

Twenty minutes in and Munster managed to spoil a Racing lineout which was the first real disruption caused in enemy territory. From the ensuing scrum, Munster – following a series of determined short carries – see Jean Kleyn barge over from five metres out to dot down. Keatley added the extras to cut the defecit to 10-7.

Jean Kleyn dives over for Munster's only try of the game so far. All to play for in Paris as Racing hold a narrow 13-7 lead over @Munsterrugby in the @ChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/dv18NpIBaZ

— Inpho Photography (@Inphosports) January 14, 2018

Despite not playing anywhere near their best, Munster were doing enough to stay in the fight.

Just before the half hour mark, Zebo received a nudge off the ball from one of his future teammates to present Ian Keatley with a chance to level the scores, which came agonisingly off the post. The follow up chase was not good allowing Machenaud to counter but a knock on ended that particular foray.

Munster’s backline starting to make some real chances but just not quite finishing them off. Zebo was again on the end of a Racing infringement – this time for a high tackle – with Conor Murray stepping up to once more hit the exact same upright.

Moments later Murray spotted a gap behind the Racing defensive line and a deft kick had defenders backtracking. A knock on saw the chance squandered but indicated that Racing might not be covering the backfield as well as they might.

With the half drawing to a close, Peter O’Mahony pinged for not rolling away from the breakdown when he was being clearly trapped by some street smart Racing forwards.

Ten metres were added for the privilege of the captain voicing his opinion to the referee with Machenaud adding an extra few metres of his own, the scrum half made it 13-7 with the last kick of the half.

Munster would head into the dressing room with double the penalty count of their opponents (8-4), still trying to get to grips with a pedantic Matthew Carly but yet still well it the game.

The visitors needed to exhibit smart rugby in the second half but the opening minutes of the second half was certainly not was certainly not what Munster wanted as they shipped a try inside the opening four minutes when Marc Andreu touched down in the corner to extend Racing’s lead to 18-7.

Munster needed to respond. A loose offload from Simon Zebo was gathered by Keith Earls who countered well and cut inside the Racing half before a deliberate knock on ended Munster’s attack but saw them awarded a penalty.

Murray took a quick tap to send Munster on their way deep inside Racing territory when the ball came back to Earls, the Limerick man scythed through the defence to score a superb try. Keatley converted and Munster now cut the gap to 18-14.

As expected, Racing were now starting to blow a little and when Chris Farrell barged over to make it Munster 19-18 and with Keatley again adding the extras Munster now amazingly led their hosts 21-18.

Archer was penalised minutes later for a scrum infringement. Once again Machenaud was perfect from the tee and the game was all square at 21-21.

Ian Keatley landed another penalty to once again edge Munster back 24-21 ahead but in a flash the lead changed hands once more. This time Dimitri Szarzewski and Nyanga pulled off a quick one-two at a lineout and when Munster awoke they found find themselves behind again by 28-27.

A huge scrum saw the home side driven backwards and Carly pinged Racing. Murray finally found his long range to edge Munster one point ahead by 30 points to 29.

Fitting! @KEITHEARLS87 swaps jerseys with @DonnachaRyan after the game on what was Ryan's 50th cap in Europe! #R92vMUN @ChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/PqsqfLxPQU

— Inpho Photography (@Inphosports) January 14, 2018

Munster needed to kill the last five minutes and take the heat out of the game but from the ensuing restart Donnacha Ryan got to the ball and when Munster were again penalised at the ruck. Machenaud kicked the three pointer to put Racing back in the lead.

Minutes later and with Munster now chasing the game, Ian Keatley sliced a clearance kick handing Racing possession deep in Munster territory and looking to secure a try bonus point and crucially deny Munster anything from their Paris trip.

Jean Kleyn was pinged for killing the ball when Racing seemed to have their tails up. In hindsight it was a good penalty to give away as Racing opted for the 3 points which meant they won the game but would see Munster emerge with a crucial point.

Any type of win next week will do for Munster to win the group but the battle to secure a home quarter-final has been made more difficult with the late slip-up.

Congrats to @DonnachaRyan on his 50th European cap… 48 in the red 🔴 & 2 with Racing 92!

Squeezing himself into Earlsie's jersey. #R92vMUN #MunsterFamily pic.twitter.com/NcbdujlOKn

— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) January 14, 2018

Racing 92: Louis Dupichot; Teddy Thomas, Virimi Vakatawa, Henry Chavancy, Marc Andreu; Rémi Tales, Maxime Machenaud (capt); Eddy Ben Arous, Camille Chat, Ben Tameifuna; Donnacha Ryan, Edwin Maka; Yannick Nyanga, Wenceslas Lauret, Leone Nakarawa.

Replacements: Cedate Gomes Sa for Tameifuna, Boris Palu for Maka (both 47 mins), Dimitri Szarzewski for Chat, Vasil Kakovin for Ben Arous (both 52 mins), Joe Rokocoko for Dupichot (73 mins), Baptiste Chouzenoux for Lauret (75 mins). Not used: Xavier Chauveau, Benjamin Dambielle.

Munster: Simon Zebo; Andrew Conway, Chris Farrell, Rory Scannell, Keith Earls; Ian Keatley, Conor Murray; Dave Kilcoyne, Rhys Marshall, Stephen Archer; Jean Kleyn, Billy Holland; Peter O’Mahony (capt), Chris Cloete, CJ Stander.

Replacements: Jack O’Donoghue for O’Mahony (55 mins), James Cronin for Kilcoyne, John Ryan for Archer (both 56 mins), Alex Wootton for Zebo (73 mins), JJ Hanrahan for Keatley (78 mins), Kevin O’Byrne fo Marshall (75 mins). Not used: Darren O’Shea.

Referee: Matthew Carley (England).