ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Crazy Skills, An Unlikely Stag-Do And Two European Giants

BY Philip Bendon  ·  Saturday Apr 16, 2022

Following one of the most hotly contested last 16 knock-out battles of this season’s Heineken Champions Cup, Exeter travelled to Limerick to take on Munster.

ADVERTISEMENT

Exeter arrived with a five-point cushion courtesy of their hard fought 13 – 8 win in the first leg of the tie. This margin however was always going to considered low when taking into account Munster’s impeccable Champions Cup home record.

The first forty minutes played out to script with a cagey and at times fiery battle taking place in particular around the breakdown. The home side went into the break with a 13 – 5 lead but most crucially the aggregate score remained very much in play with Munster leading 21 – 18.

As the camera panned around a packed Thomond Park there was the noticeable figure of Exeter legend Jack Nowell sitting in the stands. Nowell who is out with an arm injury was caught sipping on a pint wearing a Munster jersey! As the commentators were quick to point out he wasn’t Munster latest signing but rather on his stag do!

Exeter got the better of the early exchanges of the second half, crucially for Munster however Joey Carbey replied quickly to re-establish a tight one-point aggregate lead.

From here Munster appeared to become more settled with star of the match Peter O’Mahony continually proving to be a point of difference as he regurly disrupted Exeter’s ruck and line-out ball.

ADVERTISEMENT

It would be a moment of magic from Simon Zebo that would essentially end the contest. Screaming for the ball out wide Zebo received a scrappy pass from Springbok centre Damian De Allende. From here the magician went to work, starting with some excellent footwork before throwing a ridiculous offload that few players would even consider throwing.

As De Allende crashed over, Munster once again reminded everyone just how much of a fortress Thomond Park remains.

The southern province now lay in wait for either Ulster or defending champions Toulouse depending on how their fixture at The Kingspand stadium plays out. Ulster come into the clash with a useful six point lead following their incredible win away from home in the first leg.

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Articles

  • 85 WEEKS AGO

    Wild Scenes In Exeter As Chiefs Scrape Into...

  • 129 WEEKS AGO

    Shane Horgan Blasts Leinster Performance

  • 130 WEEKS AGO

    Sexton vs O'Gara Champions Cup



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Fans in awe as Joyce finishes ‘impossible’ solo try

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: Outlandish Jacob Stockdale finish is truly world class

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Ulster denied THE GREATEST URC try you will ever see!

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Capuozzo break sets Dupont up for hatrick on return

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Fans praise 'Dom Perignon Rugby' as Irish players prepare for final match of South African tour

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 5 DAYS AGO

    Ireland 'steal' Argentina's opening try as debate rages

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: The biggest hit from week one of the Autumn Nations Series

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    'Cheap shot' from Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints causing a stir online

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Wild moment leads to all in brawl during Welsh derby between Cardiff and Scarlets

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    South African school boy makes the greatest tackle ever

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Fans in awe as Joyce finishes ‘impossible’ solo try

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Insane moment as french backrow waves off medic and smokes Ange Capuozzo

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible drop goal helps break 25-match losing streak

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Leinster fly half delivers insane 50:22 after being given start for Emerging Ireland

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    French scrumhalf drills perfect shot at goal under outrageous circumstances

View All

Funnies

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    “Put that in the book” - Rieko Ioane’s explosive post reignites feud with Sexton

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Mischievous Marcus Smith spotted engaging in the dark arts during All Blacks match

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Sexton: 'Fondest memory of the Heineken Cup in 2011?' - 'Gordon D'Arcy's bar' and 'Coppers'

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Watch: Mike Haley's post match interaction with RG Snyman leaves no doubt about where Munster players stand

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    The rugby guy and Mack Hansen drop an all time BANGER with latest video

View All

Amateur

  • 97 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 97 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 120 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 120 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 121 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 2 HOURS AGO

    'Eligible for England' - Fans react to South African star's contract announcement

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    The 19-year-old named the 'future' of English rugby after win against Australia A

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Anthony Watson exclusive: 'I wouldn't be surprised if England win'

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    It’s a 9.5/10 for Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    “Put that in the book” - Rieko Ioane’s explosive post reignites feud with Sexton

View All