Munster arrange a possible residence run within the BKT United Rugby Championship play-offs after a 29-24 win over Ulster at Thomond Park noticed them end high of the desk.
The defending champions trailed by 10 factors on two events however alternative Eoghan Clarke’s 69th-minute maul attempt to a late Jack Crowley penalty bought the job carried out.
Tries from Rob Herring and David McCann cancelled out RG Snyman’s seventh-minute opener to offer quarter-final-bound Ulster a 17-7 half-time lead.
Calvin Nash and Shane Daly each touched down, sandwiching a Matthew Rea rating in a glowing seven-minute spell, whereas Crowley and John Cooney introduced their kicking boots, every touchdown three conversions and a penalty.
Boosted by their robust bench, Graham Rowntree’s aspect got here out on high in entrance of a 17,496-strong residence crowd and can host Ospreys in subsequent weekend’s quarter-finals, with sixth-placed Ulster travelling to Leinster.
The Ulstermen misplaced Stuart McCloskey and Ethan McIlroy to accidents earlier than kick-off, which introduced Jude Postlethwaite and Stewart Moore into the workforce. The early departure of Kieran Treadwell (ankle) was one other blow.
Snyman was very lucky to keep away from a card for a excessive deal with on Will Addison and far to Ulster’s annoyance, the Springbok star duly scored a couple of minutes later, giving Crowley a simple conversion.
Nonetheless, Ulster hit again with a well-worked maul strive from Herring and Cooney quickly gave his aspect a 10-7 lead courtesy of a Twenty second-minute penalty.
Munster’s execution was letting them down and a late Crowley blunder handed Ulster a five-metre scrum. They earned an additional penalty and flanker McCann was capable of burrow over for Cooney to transform.
A uncommon Cooney penalty miss preceded the unloading of the hosts’ forward-heavy bench which was a recreation changer. Nash scored from a Craig Casey cross and Crowley’s touchline conversion reduce the hole to only three factors.
Cormac Izuchukwu broke menacingly to place Ulster proper again in scoring vary and Cooney’s quick cross helped Rea energy over. Cooney additionally curled over the extras for a 24-14 scoreline.
Crucially, Munster clawed again these seven factors by the hour mark. Substitute Joey Carbery’s half-break produced fast ball, which Casey scooped up one-handed to ship Daly over from the left wing which Crowley transformed.
Clarke redeemed himself for a earlier crooked throw when he muscled his manner over within the left nook and the Reds held onto the momentum as Crowley’s closing penalty put them simply out of attain.
Hey @MunsterRugby followers, why not relive THAT unimaginable 2nd half comeback ??#BKTURC #URC | #RaceToTheEight | #MUNvULS pic.twitter.com/Z7ILvSXqdw
— BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) June 1, 2024