Munster, who like the other Irish provinces had already qualified for the business end of  the competition prior to today’s game, produced a dominant performance against the English Premiership Rugby side.

Murray opens the scoring

Conor Murray opened the scoring in usual circumstances. With Munster dominant in possession in the opening stages of the game, Wasps knocked the ball back to Murray when attempting to prevent Tadhg Beirne receiving possession. With many of the visitors believing Beirne had knocked the ball on, some stopped playing as Murray touched down.

The TMO was called into action, with the referee deciding, Beirne hadn’t knocked on when he consulted his officials and viewed the TV footage. Ben Healy added the extras to give the hosts a 7-0 lead within the first 10 minutes of the fixture.

With constant pressure from Munster, Wasps could not withstand the Munster effort and soon conceded a penalty. Healy opted to kick for the posts to extend his team’s advantage to 10-0.

Zebo now Munster’s highest try-scorer in Champions Cup

A deftly chipped through ball from Healy saw Simon Zebo, who was named in the starting team in place of Keith Earls, collect the ball and fight to touch down for his side’s second five-pointer of the afternoon, the first of two on the day for the former Racing 92 man.

The score saw the Corkman join Brian O’Driscoll as the third-highest try-scorer in Heineken Champions Cup history, and surpass the late Anthony Foley as Munster’s top try-scorer in the competition with 24 – it would become 25 later in the day. Ben Healy maintained his 100% record kicking for the posts by converting for 17-0 with less than 20 minutes on the clock.

ZEBO! ZEBO! ZEBO!

Simon Zebo becomes @Munsterrugby‘s top European try scorer, surpassing the late great Axel Foley

Look at what it means! #HeinekenChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/Ce5cw9soLe

— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) January 23, 2022

Dan Robson finally got the Premiership club on the scoreboard when touching down right of the Munster posts in the 26th minute. With Charlie Atkinson adding the conversion, Wasps’ delight was short-lived as Munster immediately headed downfield.

O’Donoghue try on 150th appearance in red

With Wasps scrambling to get back into position, Gavin Coombes burst through the Premiership Rugby side’s defensive effort, before Jack O’Donoghue, on his 150th appearance in red, scored his side’s third try of the afternoon. The reliable Healy kicked the two points for a 24-7 lead with only 30 minutes played.

Gavin Coombes what a carry!

Charlie Atkinson bounces off Coombs who blasts his way past the Wasps defence, setting it nicely for Jack O’Donoghue to finish for @Munsterrugby #HeinekenChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/olJv9DF3J0

— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) January 23, 2022

Gavin Coombes paid the price for constant Munster infringements when yellow-carded minutes before half-time. With Wasps nestled on the Munster line, the home side were penalised a number of times before Coombes was sent to the bin.

With Johann van Graan’s men missing the powerful Coombes, Wasps would have expected to cross the line, but incredible defensive work from the men in red saw them hold out with the referee eventually awarding them a penalty, which relieved the pressure.

A neck injury for Wasps’ Thomas Young saw the player treated on the field with the game stopped for 10 minutes, before being stretchered off to respectful applause from the crowd. The back-row was replaced by Ben Morris.

Half-time: Munster Rugby 24  Wasps Rugby 7

Loughman secures bonus-point try

Prop Jeremy Loughman, named in the starting team earlier in the day when Dave Kilcoyne was sick, scored his first Champions Cup try within the opening minute of the second half.

Munster, who had a penalty kick, opted for the line-out and despite the absence of Coombes, who was still in the sin-bin, the men in red powerfully drove for the try-scoring line, before Loughman crashed over.

With the bonus-point try now secured, Ben Healy added another two points to the score board, which read 31-7 in favour of Munster, with 46 minutes on the stadium game clock.

As both sides emptied their benches, an action that took the continuity and flow out of the game, it didn’t prevent Munster striking for two further tries late in the game.

Simon Zebo scored a second try to the cheers of the Munster faithful, before Rory Scannell claimed a five-pointer with the clock in red. Both scores were converted by Jack Crowley, leaving Johann van Graan’s side 45-7 victors.

Today’s game gave more valuable Champions Cup experience to some of Munster’s younger players, while veteran of 150 appearances in red, Jack O’Donoghue was named Heineken Star of the Match. The Waterford man, at 27 years of age, becomes the youngest Munster player to reach the 150 milestone.

Final score: Munster Rugby 45  Wasps Rugby 7

Munster Rugby:

15. Mike Haley, 14. Andrew Conway, 13. Chris Farrell, 12. Rory Scannell, 11. Simon Zebo, 10. Ben Healy, 9. Conor Murray.

1. Jeremy Loughman, 2. Diarmuid Barron, 3. Stephen Archer, 4. Jean Kleyn, 5. Tadhg Beirne, 6. Peter O’Mahony (captain), 7. Jack O’Donoghue, 8. Gavin Coombes.

Munster Replacements:

16. Scott Buckley, 17. John Wycherley, 18. John Ryan, 19. Fineen Wycherley, 20. John Hodnett, 21. Craig Casey, 22. Jack Crowley, 23. Alex Kendellen.

Try: Murray, Zebo (2), O’Donoghue, Loughman, R Scannell

Conversion: Healy 4, Crowley (2)

Pen: Healy

Wasps:

15. Ali Crossdale, 14. Marcus Watson. 13. Paolo Odogwu, 12. Michael Le Bourgeois, 11. Josh Bassett, 10. Charlie Atkinson, 9. Dan Robson.

1. Tom West, 2. Tom Cruse, 3. Elliot Millar-Mills, 4. Elliott Stooke, 5. James Gaskell, 6. Brad Shields (captain), 7. Thomas Young, 8. Nizaam Carr.

Wasps Replacements:

16. Gabriel Oghre, 17, Rodrigo Martinez, 18. Pieter Scholtz, 19. Tim Cardall, 20. Ben Morris, 21. Will Porter, 22. Rob Miller, 23. Sam Spink.

Try: Robson.

Conversion: Atkinson.

The post Two tries for Zebo as Munster Rugby claim 45-7 Champions Cup win over Wasps appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Munster Rugby began both their new season and the newly-organised United Rugby Championship with a comfortable win on Saturday night.

Johann van Graan’s side achieved the bonus-point against South African side Cell C Sharks at Thomond Park, running out 42-17 winners.

Gavin Coombes touched down for a brace, Craig Casey and Chris Cloete also scored a five-pointer, but the returning Simon Zebo will make many of the headlines as the Corkman added to his Munster try-scoring tally with his own brace of tries.

Zebo returns with an early try

Zebo picked up a loose ball on the wing and sprinted to the line for a try after just six minutes of the encounter. This followed early chants of  “Zebo, Zebo” from the Munster fans lucky enough to be present in Limerick this evening.

Zebo, back at Thomond Park following two years in exile in France, had predicted earlier this week that he would score early in the opening fixture of the season. He was as good as his word!

ZEEBS IS BACK

It just had to be him as @Munsterrugby get their first score of the URC. #URC | #MUNSHA pic.twitter.com/yXoLreUkk5

— United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) September 25, 2021

During the first 20 minutes of the opening half, the visitors dominated both territory and possession with the hosts achieving only just over 25% of the former and had slightly better than 40% of the latter.

Despite a sustained five minutes of Munster pressure deep in the Sharks’ territory, the South African outfit withstood the pressure which included a number of red mauls, but van Graan’s men failed to cross the try-scoring line during that time.

With continued Munster pressure and successive penalties given against the Cell C Sharks, Joey Carbery took advantage of his opposition’s tendency to commit fouls by successfully kicking a penalty, giving his side an 8-0 lead coming to the half-hour mark.

Fullback Bosch reduced the deficit to five points when successfully kicking a penalty, while his side had du Toit in the sin bin.

Impressive Casey scores second try

Munster soon took advantage of the extra man as Craig Casey picked the ball off an attacking ruck to dive over for his team’s second five-pointer of the new United Rugby Championship; Joey Carbery, however, failed to add the extras.

As the clock headed into red at the end of the opening 40 minutes, Munster ignored the opportunity to head to the dressing room and instead decided to keep the ball in play. This  decision paid a rich dividend for the southern province as they soon had try number three on the board.

Good Munster lead at the break

Niall Scannell took a pick and go, driving towards the line before the ever-powerful Gavin Coombes touched down for the Munstermen. Joey Carbery was more accurate kicking for the posts on this occasion and added the two points for a 20-3 lead at the break.

The final play of the first half sees Gavin Coombes claim Munster’s third try of the game #RTERugby #URC #UnitedRugbyChampionship #MUNvSHA

Watch live – https://t.co/CStwnXf2cB

Live updates – https://t.co/lfHCGRGbhj pic.twitter.com/KMRWR4suNT

— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) September 25, 2021

Half-time: Munster Rugby 20  Cell C Sharks 3.

The home side could have achieved their bonus point early in the second period as an Andrew Conway break along the East Stand side of the Thomond Park turf saw the speedster get within yards of the Sharks’ line. Despite the back up of numerous team mates the men in red couldn’t get in for the score, eventually being penalised and allowing the defending side to relieve the pressure.

The bonus was soon secured as Gavin Coombes achieved a brace of tries on the night, before Carbery made put another two to the scoreboard, pushing Munster out to a 27-3 lead with half an hour to play.

Just when it looked as though Munster might increase their advantage, a long Joey Carbery pass was brilliantly intercepted by Boeta Chamberlain, who showed his pace as he quickly raced to touch down for his side’s maiden try in the United Rugby Championship. The Sharks made it a seven-pointer as they converted to reduce Munster’s lead to 17 points.

Carbery’s replacement Ben Healy kicked a huge 50 metre penalty on 68 minutes to extend his side’s lead. Despite not taking much time over the ball, Healy comfortably dissected the posts.

Munster replacement Ben Healy lands a penalty from halfway…with a bit to spare! #RTERugby #URC #UnitedRugbyChampionship #MUNvSHA

Watch live – https://t.co/CStwnXf2cB

Live updates – https://t.co/lfHCGRGbhj pic.twitter.com/FyIvCkmmIA

— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) September 25, 2021

The visitors despite now facing a twenty-point deficit maintained their effort and were duly rewarded when winger Yaw Penxe claimed a try, and with a successful Bosch conversion, the Sharks came to within 13 points of Munster.

The home side finished the first half strongly and did likewise in the second, firstly with a try from Cloete and then another from Zebo. With one of the final two tries converted by Ben Healy, Munster ran out 42-17 winners.

The hosts get the W @Munsterrugby run out 42-17 winners over @SharksRugby at Thomond Park.

What a day of rugby we've had!#URC | #MUNSHA pic.twitter.com/DRtrAdwk26

— United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) September 25, 2021

Full-time score: Munster Rugby 42 Cell C Sharks 17

Munster Team:

15. M. Haley, 14. A. Conway, 13. D. Goggin, 12. R. Scannell, 11. S. Zebo, 10. J. Carbery, 9. C. Casey.

1. D. Kilcoyne, 2. N. Scannell, 3. J. Ryan, 4. J. Kleyn, 5. F. Wycherley, 6. P. O’Mahony (c), 7. J. O’Donoghue, 8. Coombes.

Munster Replacements

16. D. Barron, 17. J. Loughman, 18. K. Knox, 19. RG Synam, 20. T. Aherne, 21. R. Osborne, 22. B. Healy, 23. C. Cloete.

Cell C Sharks Team

15. C. Bosch, 14. Y. Penxe, 13. W. Kok, 12. M. Louw, 11. T. Abrahams, 10. B. Chamberlain, 9. R. Pienaar.

1. K. Mona, 2. K van Vuuren, 3. T. du Toit, 4. Le Roux Roets, 5. G. Grobler, 6. D. Richardson, 7. H. Venter, 8. P. Buthelezi.

Cell C Sharks Replacements

16. F. Mbatha, 17. N. McHunu, 18. K. McHunu, 19. C. Gumede, 20. R. van Heerden, 21. H. Andrews, 22. S. Nohamba, 23. J. Ward.

The post Bonus point win for Munster in opening United Rugby Championship game appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Munster Rugby’s prodigal son will soon make his long-awaited debut for the club. He is likely to start in the United Rugby Championship match against Cell C Sharks on the 25th of September.

He rejoined the provincial club after a successful spell in France with Racing 92 that lasted three years. The 31-year-old made his first appearance for the Reds back in 2010.

Speaking to Munster Rugby, Zebo said: “It’s great to be back, I haven’t’ stopping smiling for about six weeks now.

“I’m enjoying every minute of it, a great group of guys. I’m very happy to be at home.

A well-worked 1st half try from the Munster Grey side with Paddy Patterson touching down.#MUNvMUN #MunsterChallengeMatch#SUAF pic.twitter.com/30tcTON2Bq

— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) September 4, 2021

The Cork man racked up 144 caps for Munster in seven years before making the switch to Paris. He also managed 35 appearances for the Ireland team which he had to give up by leaving Ireland.

“There’s some unbelievable young athletes and some really skillful guys [like] Jake Flannery, Jack Crowley, Daniel Okeke,” added Zebo.

“These guys have been pushing it on really and there’s a great buzz around the camp, a great blend of youth and experience and we’re really looking forward to the new season.”

Oh no big deal, just pictures of @SimonZebo back training with @Munsterrugby here, you love to see it! ( @RyanByrnePhoto) pic.twitter.com/CaqgUSSc5E

— Inpho Photography (@Inphosports) September 2, 2021

He got the taste of playing in Thomond Park on Saturday in an internal match, behind closed doors.

Now Zebo just cannot wait until he can play a match in front of a packed cheering crowd in Limerick.

“To get the run-out in Thomond Park, get the boots on, run around with your friends is what it’s all about. I’m very excited to do that and we’re building nicely into the season.

“I can’t wait for the day I pull on a red jersey in front of a full house.”

The post Zebo ‘happy to be home’ after return to Thomond Park appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.