A disappointing second half performance saw Munster cough up a nine-point advantage to give Glasgow Warriors a 21-18 win at Scotstoun Stadium this afternoon.
Despite an opening half of indiscipline, the Munstermen led 18-9 at the break with tries from the in-form JJ Hanrahan and Robin Copeland.
There was an early introduction for Felix Jones with Johne Murphy taken off for a blood injury after four minutes, and the starting full-back did not return to the field of play after sustaining a broken nose.
Glasgow earned the opening penalty in kickable range in the fifth minute and out-half Finn Russell duly landed the first points of the evening.
Munster responded immediately with Hanrahan’s try after John Ryan claimed a loose ball and powered into the Glasgow 22. Copeland continued the attack and when Conor Murray provided his half-back partner with quick ball, the Kerryman split the defence to dart over for the first try. He was off target with the conversion.
Russell missed his next shot at goal but made no mistake with the third attempt when Munster were penalised for a maul infringement and the Glasgow lead was restored at 6-5.
Frustratingly, Munster were harshly reduced to 14 men on the 20-minute mark when referee Leighton Hodges deemed Paul O’Connell to be offside at a try-scoring opportunity and issued him with a yellow card. Despite the reduced numbers, Munster secured points during that period thanks to a scrum penalty and the boot of Hanrahan.
Both out-halves exchanged further penalties before Copeland (pictured below) scored Munster’s second try after a series of attacking phases ended with the number 8 crashing over from close range. Hanrahan nailed the conversion to give Munster an 18-9 half-time lead.
A solid early second half defensive effort from Munster denied Glasgow but the hosts finally converted their possession into points when lock Leone Nakarawa stretched for the line to touch down after 51 minutes. Russell added the extras to reduce the margin to two points.
Tellingly, Anthony Foley’s charges were unable to build on the first half performance and add points in the second period. Hanrahan’s next two penalty misses proved decisive and costly in the end.
A sustained period of Glasgow pressure was rewarded with a try from man-of-the-match Jonny Gray in the 72nd minute. Winger DTH van der Merwe had ignited the initial attack when he made a scything run, carving his way the Munster defence before being stopped just short of the line.
Russell’s conversion struck the post and he then missed a final penalty kick in the closing minutes to leave a three-point winning margin.
The hard-fought victory moved the Scottish side up to second spot in the GUINNESS PRO12 table, while Munster suffered their first away defeat of the league season and dropped to third place ahead of next Friday’s festive derby against Leinster.
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