Munster once again defied all the odds and proved they are still a team to be reckoned with by beating Perpignan 14-37 in Stade Aime Giral picking up an invaluable bonus point along the way to put them top of Heineken Cup pool one.
The French champions had previously lost only two games at home in European competition but Munster were clearly feeling bruised by claims from all quarters suggesting they were over the hill after a sluggish start to the season.
The Irish province poured into every ruck and the hosts were never given a moment to settle thanks to a terrific display from David Wallace. With the majority of the game played in their territory the Catalans were visibly discomforted.
Tries from Denis Fogarty, Denis Hurley, Jean DeVilliers and Doug Howlett were the result of the visitors’ dominance in all areas of the pitch.
Head coach Tony McGahan said the match was: “certainly our best away win in my time here, I’m delighted for the players”
Hard work was certainly the order of the day for Munster as the replacements could be heard encouraging their starting 15 with only the words “work-rate!” as they marched from the tunnel.
The teams traded early penalties before the Magners League champions showed their intent, laying down a marker through Wian DuPreez and John Hayes scrummaging the French pack backwards. The platform allowed the visitors a prolonged attacking period on the try-line, which finally resulted in Denis Fogarty burrowing over near the posts.
From there the Catalans looked resilient and found their way back into the game through the boot of David Mele, although he may rue his missed chances as the first half ended 9-10.
The home side emerged from the dressing room intent on imposing their flair on the game but the two time European champions were again able to quell the expansive attacks at source and at the other end, the superb Tomas O’Leary made an untypical dart from the base of a ruck and forced a penalty inside the oppositions 22.
Soon after O’Gara was presented with another kickable opportunity as, on the touch-judge’s advice, referee David Pearson showed a yellow card to Jerome Schuster for head butting Denis Leamy.
O’Gara managed to shut out the hostile crowd to increase the lead to 9-16. But the fly half soon had his own trip to the sideline as he cynically tackled a red shirt chasing a loose ball.
The Heineken Cup’s record points scorer was not missed however as the dynamic Paul Warwick moved seamlessly from fullback to fly half in time to fizz a flat pass for Hurley to crash over in the corner and put the game beyond the home team.
Both sides emptied their benches in a bid to add fresh legs and quick thinking from replacement hooker Guillem Guirado provided the host’s only score of the second half. But DeVilliers magnificently cancelled out that score after stepping off his right foot 20 metres out he unstoppably thundered towards the line.
With just over 10 minutes remaining McGahans men showed the confidence that had been lacking in recent months and went for the crucial bonus point, an unthinkable result pre kick-off.
The southern province once again stole the ball from a red jersey five metres out and as the space opened up O’Gara sent a pinpoint grubber kick through for Howlett to put the finishing touch on a magnificent performance.
The result leaves Munster top of pool one with 15 points, they will travel to Treviso in the new year before the final pool game against Northampton in Thomond Park. After three defeats in four, Perpignan need nothing short of miracles to progress to the quarter finals.
PERPIGNAN: P Burger; F Sid, D Marty, M Mermoz, C Manas; G Hume, D Mele; J Schuster, M Tincu, N Mas (capt) O Olibeau, R Tchale Watchou; Y Vivalda, B Guiry, O Tonita.
Reps: G Guirado, P Freshwater, K Pulu, R Alvarez Kairelis N Durand, J Grandclaude, J Porical, Y Parent.
MUNSTER: P Warwick; D Howlett, K Earls, L Mafi, D Hurley; R O'Gara, T O'Leary; W du Preez, D Fogarty, J Hayes; D O'Callaghan, P O'Connell (capt); A Quinlan, D Wallace, D Leamy.
Reps: D Varley, D Hurley, T Buckley, M O'Driscoll, D Ryan, N Ronan, P Stringer, J de Villiers.
REF -- D Pearson
The French champions had previously lost only two games at home in European competition but Munster were clearly feeling bruised by claims from all quarters suggesting they were over the hill after a sluggish start to the season.
The Irish province poured into every ruck and the hosts were never given a moment to settle thanks to a terrific display from David Wallace. With the majority of the game played in their territory the Catalans were visibly discomforted.
Tries from Denis Fogarty, Denis Hurley, Jean DeVilliers and Doug Howlett were the result of the visitors’ dominance in all areas of the pitch.
Head coach Tony McGahan said the match was: “certainly our best away win in my time here, I’m delighted for the players”
Hard work was certainly the order of the day for Munster as the replacements could be heard encouraging their starting 15 with only the words “work-rate!” as they marched from the tunnel.
The teams traded early penalties before the Magners League champions showed their intent, laying down a marker through Wian DuPreez and John Hayes scrummaging the French pack backwards. The platform allowed the visitors a prolonged attacking period on the try-line, which finally resulted in Denis Fogarty burrowing over near the posts.
From there the Catalans looked resilient and found their way back into the game through the boot of David Mele, although he may rue his missed chances as the first half ended 9-10.
The home side emerged from the dressing room intent on imposing their flair on the game but the two time European champions were again able to quell the expansive attacks at source and at the other end, the superb Tomas O’Leary made an untypical dart from the base of a ruck and forced a penalty inside the oppositions 22.
Soon after O’Gara was presented with another kickable opportunity as, on the touch-judge’s advice, referee David Pearson showed a yellow card to Jerome Schuster for head butting Denis Leamy.
O’Gara managed to shut out the hostile crowd to increase the lead to 9-16. But the fly half soon had his own trip to the sideline as he cynically tackled a red shirt chasing a loose ball.
The Heineken Cup’s record points scorer was not missed however as the dynamic Paul Warwick moved seamlessly from fullback to fly half in time to fizz a flat pass for Hurley to crash over in the corner and put the game beyond the home team.
Both sides emptied their benches in a bid to add fresh legs and quick thinking from replacement hooker Guillem Guirado provided the host’s only score of the second half. But DeVilliers magnificently cancelled out that score after stepping off his right foot 20 metres out he unstoppably thundered towards the line.
With just over 10 minutes remaining McGahans men showed the confidence that had been lacking in recent months and went for the crucial bonus point, an unthinkable result pre kick-off.
The southern province once again stole the ball from a red jersey five metres out and as the space opened up O’Gara sent a pinpoint grubber kick through for Howlett to put the finishing touch on a magnificent performance.
The result leaves Munster top of pool one with 15 points, they will travel to Treviso in the new year before the final pool game against Northampton in Thomond Park. After three defeats in four, Perpignan need nothing short of miracles to progress to the quarter finals.
PERPIGNAN: P Burger; F Sid, D Marty, M Mermoz, C Manas; G Hume, D Mele; J Schuster, M Tincu, N Mas (capt) O Olibeau, R Tchale Watchou; Y Vivalda, B Guiry, O Tonita.
Reps: G Guirado, P Freshwater, K Pulu, R Alvarez Kairelis N Durand, J Grandclaude, J Porical, Y Parent.
MUNSTER: P Warwick; D Howlett, K Earls, L Mafi, D Hurley; R O'Gara, T O'Leary; W du Preez, D Fogarty, J Hayes; D O'Callaghan, P O'Connell (capt); A Quinlan, D Wallace, D Leamy.
Reps: D Varley, D Hurley, T Buckley, M O'Driscoll, D Ryan, N Ronan, P Stringer, J de Villiers.
REF -- D Pearson
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