Connacht 40 Munster 33
Connacht overcame Munster in an experimental pre-season friendly at the Sportsground in Galway this afternoon, out scoring the Heineken Cup finalists by seven tries to five.
The match was played in three periods of 30 minutes, 40 minutes and 30 minutes in order to allow both coaches run the rule over their entire squads and it was Steph Nel who had more to shout about at the final whistle after witnessing his side produce an upset of sorts.
The home side held the lead after the first period, a James Norton try helping them build a slender 8-7 lead. A Wayne Munn try extended that lead shortly after the restart but Munster fought back to gain a 14-13 advantage.
However, as both coaches rang the changes, Connacht gained the upper hand and going into the final period led by 30-14.
Tries from Shannon’s John Lacey and Clem Casey brought Munster to within four points of their hosts but with their noses in front, Connacht refused to buckle and ran out 40-33 winners.
Scorers:
Connacht: E. Elwood, try, con; J. Norton, try, M. McHugh, try, E. Reddan, try, T. Robinson, try, D. Yapp, try, W. Munn, try; S. Moore, pen.
Munster: J. Lacey, try, K. O'Riordan, try, D. Malone, try, C. Casey, try, L.. Brown, try; J. Staunton, two cons; K. Keane, two cons.
- Later this evening (7.30), Alan Solomon's Ulster take on a strong Glasgow side as they continue with their pre-season preparations.
Ulster: 15 B. Cunningham, 14 S. Stewart, 13 R Constable, 12 J. Bell, 11 S. Coulter, 10 A. Larkin, 9 N. Doak, 1 J. Fitzpatrick, 2 M. Sexton, 3 C. Boyd, 4 T. McWhirter, 5 J. Davidson, 6 A. Ward (Captain), 7 W. Brosnihan, 8 R. Nelson.
Replacements: 16 R. Kempson, 17 P. Shields, 18 M. Blair, 19 R. Brink, 20 R. Spee, 21 K. Campbell, 22 S. Young
Glasgow: 15 S Moffat, 14 J Steel, 13 A Bulloch, 12 A Henderson, 11 R Kerr, 10 T Hayes, 9 G Beveridge, 1 C Blades, 2 G Bulloch, 3 L Harrison or David Hilton, 4 A Hall, 5 J White (captain), 6 A Wilson, 7 D Macfadyen, 8 J Petrie.
Replacements: M Bartlett, I McInroy, C Howarth, A Nicol, G Simpson, N Ross, B Daly, A Kelly,