In Pics: Munster 9 Borders 8

Click here for photos of Munster’s tight win over Border Reivers in their first home game of the Magners League.

Pictured above: Munster centre and stand-in captain John Kelly, ahead of his 139th appearance for the province, poses with a mascot at Thomond Park.

Borders full-back Calum MacRae, who missed the crucial conversion of Mark Robertson’s try, is tackled by Munster’s young lock Donnacha Ryan.

Munster prop Darragh Hurley tries to stop Borders scrum half and captain Chris Cusiter from releasing his backs.

John Kelly is tackled by Borders centre Ben MacDougall.

Munster number eight James Coughlan tries to shrug off the challenge of Scotland’s most-capped player Gregor Townsend, who came on as a late replacement for the Borders.

John Kelly is supported by Munster flanker John O’Sullivan as the Borders’ defence regroups.

Munster’s Jeremy Manning, who kicked three vital penalties for the province, tackles Borders centre Nick De Luca.

Munster centre James Downey gets the ball away, ahead of Borders flanker Scott Gray.

Chris Cusiter is brought down to earth by Munster’s much-loved prop Federico Pucciariello.

James Downey tries to break his way through the Borders’ cover defence.

Eoghan Hickey, who came on as a late replacement for Manning, takes a pass from Tomas O’Leary.

**All photos by Billy Stickland of Inpho Photography**