Player Ratings| Farrell and Casey battle for MOTM as Munster run riot against the Dragons

Munster played some beautiful rugby breezing past the Dragons at Thomond Park on Saturday evening.

Craig Casey scored twice with Jack O’Donoghue and Chris Cloete also touching down for a first-half bonus-point.

Simon Zebo, of course, got in on the act in the second half along with the excellent Chris Farrell, Shane Daly, Cloete again and John Hodnett before captain O’Donoghue complete the scoring with Munster’s 10th.

Jack Crowley kicked five conversions with Ben Healy adding two conversions.

The game finished up with a score line of 64-3, making this Munster’s largest winning margin in the club’s history.

Time to take an Individual at each of the player’s performance’s

Josh Wycherley – 7.5

Wycherley stood up and was well accounted for at the loose. In his 56 minutes on the pitch he made seven carries for 32 meters. In the scrum Munster were dominant and Wycherley certainly had an impact on that. Also making five tackles, Wycherley did the dog work for his side.

Diarmuid Barron – 7

Barron has done an excellent job filling in for Niall Scannell. He had a good game against Dragons helping run his pack. The lineout was a huge tool for Munster as each time they had that opportunity to launch an attack. He carried the ball seven times and coupled this with 11 meters gained from said carries. Barron also completed six tackles for the side.

John Ryan – 7

John Ryan like Wycherley and Barron stood up and did his job to a tee. In the scrum he was dominant and didn’t give the Dragons an inch. Ryan was also instrumental in Cloete’s try as a beautiful line break and footwork set the Dragons back and shortly after a few phases Cloete was over the line.

Jean Kleyn – 8

An excellent performance from the South African lock, Kleyn seemed like he was everywhere in his time on the pitch. Making hard carries he set the defence back each carry this was coupled with seven tackles without missing one. In the lineout he was imperious on both sides.

Fineen Wycherley -7

Wycherley did have as much impact while the ball was in open play. However his set play was excellent, a lineout threat while on offence and defence. It was a good shift put in.

Jack O’Donoghue – 9

O’Donoghue was nothing short of excellent against the Welsh opposition. Scoring two tries in the game he was one of, if not the major threat the Dragons faced. Off of only eight carries he made a whopping 51 meters. Also making five tackles in the game without missing one helped his case. An excellent all round performance from the young back-rower.

Chris Cloete – 9

Cloete in each of performances this season has been excellent but Saturday qualifies as one of his best. Like O’Donoghue he barrelled through the Dragons defence over and over making huge gains for his side. With 11 carries he made a whopping 71 meters which is just incredible, Two tries to his name from those resulting meters. He tied the play together making 10 passes and seven carries.

Gavin Coombes – 9

Coombes plays the No.8 position without breaking a sweat, a perfect link between both the forwards and the backs. 15 carries and 16 passes show how involved he was on the attacking side of the game, Coombes ran for a total of 36 meters in the game. Making seven tackles also Coombes popped up everywhere he was needed.

Craig Casey – 9.5

Casey was superb and easily could have been Player of the Match. He took both of his tries with great finesse. A beautiful handoff for his first and an excellent snipe for his second. With 90 passes, he connected the play brilliantly, his speed of ball from the ruck was too quick for the Dragons. The Welsh side never could fully cope with the onslaught that Casey brought on.

Jack Crowley – 9

Crowley possibly put in his best performance in a Munster Jersey. Making 35 passes in the game he always looked dangerous whether it be offloading or just off set moves he was a complete handful for the defence. Crowley also nailed five conversions while only missing one.

Simon Zebo – 8.5

Zebo is an arch poacher. The whole game he was looking for his moment to snipe over the line and eventually got his chance after some smart thinking from Casey. Throughout the game however he made 71 meters by just carrying the ball. He made some beautiful no look passes to set up line breaks that got Munster up the pitch.

Dan Goggin – 7.5

Goggin played a good game but seems to have gotten lost in all the madness that was the Munster attacking line. Goggin acted as a facilitator making 14 passes a couple of which led to major line breaks

Chris Farrell – 9.5

Like Casey Farrell was a standout performer in the game. Unlike Casey however, Farrell was awarded the Player of the Match award. Making six tackles Farrell shut down anything coming down his channel throughout the game. Farrell’s major highlights came from his ball carrying. After 17 carries he found himself with over 100 meters made and a try to his name.

Shane Daly – 8.5

Daly was purely an attacking force to be reckoned with on Saturday. Making 11 carries and 10 passes he was well and truly involved each time Munster went forward. He bagged himself 72 meters and a try by the end of the game.

Mike Haley – 8.5

As always Haley was one of the best players on the field. He never had to engage much of his defensive prowess. On the attacking side he carried the ball 13 times making multiple line breaks through said carries. He finished the game with 91 meters made.

Replacements

Rory Scannell – 8

Coming on for Farrell Scannell made an excellent impact and helped stir on the team near the end of the game.

John Hodnett – 8

In only four carries Hodnett made 39 meters and scored himself a try proving the impact he can make. He also made five tackles in his time in the pitch.

Other replacements were given the gametime / exposure to be rated fairly with the game beyond doubt at the half.