Match Report: Northampton Saints 24 – 14 Munster Rugby

George Hendy’s sublime second-half brace of tries saw Northampton Saints triumph over Munster to book their place in the Investec Champions Cup quarter-finals.

A pulsating first-half saw both sides land two tries each with James Ramm and Tommy Freeman striking for Saints, sandwiching Sean O’Brien and Mike Haley efforts for Munster, with Jack Crowley matching Fin Smith with a pair of successful conversions.

The hosts conceded no further points after the break but added two tries of their own through replacement Hendy’s pair of scores that secured a last-eight tie back at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens next week against the Bulls, date to be confirmed.

FIRST HALF

Munster dominated possession and territory in the opening five minutes without unlocking the Saints defence that stood firm and ultimately held the ball up over their own line.

With their first  foray into the opposition 22, it was Northampton who struck first on the scoreboard. Burger Odendaal’s powerful carries were attracting red shirts aplenty and, attacking the edge, the South African freed his hands out of a collision to feed Ramm to burn around and under the posts, giving Smith an easy conversion.

The response was swift and on 15 minutes,  O’Brien managed to wriggle his way out of a tackle and over the line, with Crowley adding the extras.

Approaching the half-hour mark, Munster had their second after they’d work their way up the field with penalty kicks to touch and set up camp in the 22 with a period of sustained pressure that concluded with Haley picking and going from close range to scramble over. Crowley’s second successful kick moved Munster seven points clear.

With half-time approaching, the home supporters were roaring with appreciation as Freeman collected Smith’s pass and ghosted through a gap and under the posts after Sam Graham had softened up the defence with a powerful carry from the base of a scrum on the 22. Smith’s conversion saw the sides go in at the break with honours even at 14-all.

SECOND HALF

Tension was in the air in the opening 20 minutes of the second half as both sides struggled to build pressure, with Munster’s breakdown work proving troublesome while Saints burgled ball of their own through Emmanuel Iyogun shortly before Odendaal produced the hit of the day on Tadhg Beirne that resulted in a penalty concession.

Then came the moment of brilliance that will live long in the memories of Saints supporters. From just outside his own 22 after securing line-out ball, Smith sensed the numbers were in his side’s favour and attacked the space in front of him after an excellent exchange between Alex Mitchell and Fraser Dingwall. Ollie Sleightholme put on the afterburners freeing Ramm to tease the final defender and feed Hendy into the right corner. Smith’s conversion attempt held up in the face of fierce wind and later pulled a 40-metre penalty attempt wide.

But the contest was settled with five minutes remaining as Hendy retrieved a loose pass 25 metres out and somehow managed to weave his way over in the right corner to put Saints ten points clear and into the quarter-finals of the Investec Champions Cup.

LINE UPS

Saints: 15 Ramm, 14 Freeman, 13 Dingwall, 12 Odendaal, 11 Sleightholme, 10 Smith, 9 James; 1 Iyogun, 2 Langdon, 3 Davison, 4 Moon, 5 Coles, 6 Lawes, 7 Ludlam (c), 8 Graham.

Replacements: 16 Matavesi, 17 Waller, 18 Hill, 19 Mayanavanua, 20 Scott-Young, 21 Augustus, 22 Mitchell, 23 Hendy

Munster: 15 Haley, 14 O’Brien, 13 Frisch, 12 Nankivell, 11 Zebo, 10 Crowley, 9 Casey; 1 Loughman, 2 Scannell, 3 Archer, 4 Ahern, 5 Beirne (c), 6 O’Mahoney, 7 Hodnett, 8 Coombes. 

Replacements: 16 Clarke, 17 Wycherley, 18 Donnelly, 19 O’Donoghue, 20 Kendellen, 21 Murray, 22 Carbery, 23 McCarthy.