Hanrahan Scores 20 Points As Munster Win Scrappy Contest With Castres

Munster left it too late to push for a bonus point but JJ Hanrahan’s 20-point haul steered them to a well-earned 30-5 Heineken Champions Cup win over Castres Olympique at Thomond Park.

Second half tries from Rory Scannell, CJ Stander and man-of-the-match JJ Hanrahan moved the province back to the top of Pool 2, although with a degree of niggle in this game, next Saturday evening’s return fixture in Castres is sure to be a feisty affair.

Two penalties from Hanrahan, a late inclusion at out-half for the injured Joey Carbery, gave Munster a 6-0 half-time lead, the hosts frustrated not to be further in front but Castres’ well-organised defence – and a tricky wind – limited their try-scoring opportunities.

The 21,861-strong crowd watched Scannell end the wait for a try in the 42nd minute, and Hanrahan’s third penalty was followed by well-crafted seven-pointers from Stander (67 minutes) and the Currow-born number 10 (74). With Andrew Conway seeing yellow, replacement Martin Laveau’s last-minute try gave Castres something to take into next week.

A tight hamstring prevented Carbery from starting alongside Conor Murray for the first time in Munster red, with Chris Farrell also pulling out in the warm-up. Hanrahan and Sam Arnold took their places, the former opening the scoring with a sixth minute penalty after a strong carry by Stander off a scrum.

A try eluded Munster in a first quarter which saw them on the front foot with Tadhg Beirne and Chris Cloete both prominent. A mistimed lineout let Castres off the hook and allowed them to clear, while Munster were unable to profit from a midfield break by Conway. Hanrahan’s right boot doubled their tally in the 20th minute.

Johann van Graan’s men, whose share of possession touched 80%, were guilty of forcing it too much at times. Castres centre Thomas Combezou did well to shut down a potential overlap, and the visitors managed to pinch another lineout with kicks from Hanrahan and Scannell also going too long in the windy conditions.

The try deadlock was broken two minutes into the second half, Murray threatening off a ruck and getting his pass away for centre Scannell to slip out of a tackle from Loic Jacquet and touch down to the right of the posts. Hanrahan drew the conversion over for a 13-0 lead, his opposite number Benjamin Urdapilleta missing a penalty in response.

Castres emerged scoreless from a five-metre scrum, a crucial turnover from Peter O’Mahony launching Munster back towards halfway and Hanrahan’s subsequent penalty extended the lead to 16 points. Murray’s final act was a slick break from a ruck and offload, setting up Stander to evade two tacklers and regain his feet to score his seven-pointer close to the posts.

They gained further momentum with Arnold’s offload out of a tackle allowing Scannell and Alby Mathewson to flood through and put the supporting Hanrahan over for a deserved try. However, the bonus point hunt never materialised as Castres dominated the closing six minutes – aided by Conway’s yellow for an early tackle on Rory Kockott – and Laveau was freed up to score near the right corner.

Speaking in the aftermath of the game, Munster boss van Graan said: “It was a very tough European battle between two heavyweights. I thought, credit to Castres, who stuck to their task. I was very happy with the way we adapted to one or two disruptions pre-game and in-game it was a lot wetter than we anticipated in that first 40 minutes and we tightened up at half-time.

“All credit to the players who adapted to what we wanted in that second half. We went through them and I thought we got a comfortable victory in the end by 25 points which we would have taken before the game.

“It is not ideal losing players like Joey Carbery and Chris Farrell shortly before kick-off, but that is why you have a squad. Our squad depth got tested today, both at 10 and at 13. I am glad that JJ stepped up so well and that Sammy (Arnold) stepped up. All credit to our mindset. It doesn’t matter who gets picked or what happens, we have to adapt and I’m very happy with that.”