Munster 20-26 Glasgow Warriors

George Horne and Nathan McBeth joined Dobie on the scoresheet for a victory built on defensive resolve and attacking confidence, as Franco Smith’s men claimed a fourth successive win over the men in red.

An early penalty from JJ Hanrahan would give the home faithful early reason to cheer after the Warriors were deemed to have jumped offside, and more was to come for the men in red with 14 minutes on the clock. With Ollie Smith in the sin-bin after a deliberate knock-on, Hanrahan’s 50-22 gave Munster the field position to launch a set-piece move that culminated with Ben O’Connor diving over. The conversion from Hanrahan split the uprights, and Munster led 10-0.

Undeterred, though, Smith’s side was growing into the game, as the men in teal sought a foothold in proceedings. Horne was proving lively, one line break almost setting up a score for Stafford McDowall, whilst the centurion Dobie was inches away from a try of his own after strong work from Ally Miller.

The breakthrough from a Glasgow perspective came just after the half-hour mark, as the Warriors capitalised on their possession and territory. A quickly taken penalty from Horne forced Munster to concede another penalty in their own 22, allowing the Glasgow pack to go to work at the maul. In the end, it would be Dobie who would grab the ball after spotting a gap and snipe over from close range, Horne converting to narrow the deficit.

Urged on by the Thomond Park crowd, Munster hit back with four minutes left in the half in trademark Munster style. Whilst the Glasgow defence would repel the initial lineout drive from the hosts, Michael Milne’s angle from a metre out allowed the prop to dive under the challenge of Max Williamson and dot down. Hanrahan’s conversion restored his side’s 10-point lead, the scoreline remaining at 17-7 at the interval despite a late surge from the Warriors.

With the wind now at their backs, the early attacking intent at the start of the second stanza came from the Warriors. Horne was continuing to dictate the tempo, whilst Gregor Brown and Miller were prominent in the tight exchanges.

Momentum was with the visitors, and the try the pressure deserved arrived on 51 minutes. A pinball of a carry from Seb Stephen saw the replacement hooker barrel his way from the Munster 22 to within a metre of the try-line, as Munster scrambled to get back. Phase upon phase of pressure saw Lancaster hauled down just shy of the whitewash, but McBeth was on hand to pick up and power over for the score. Horne added the extras, bringing his side back within range once more.

Munster rallied in search of a score of their own, but a huge defensive set from Smith’s men saw the home side limited to just a penalty from the boot of Hanrahan as they looked to extend their lead. Instead, the Glasgow attack grew in confidence, whilst Sam Talakai’s endeavour at the scrum saw the tight-head earn repeated penalties from referee Morne Ferreira.

The next score was crucial, and it would go the way of the Warriors. Solid set-piece ball from Stephen at the lineout allowed McDowall to give Lancaster the space to spin a perfectly-weighted pass to Dobie, the winger haring clear on his course for the try-line. Despite being brought down just short, the ever-present figure of Horne was on hand to dot down, converting his own try for good measure to give Glasgow the lead for the first time as the match edged into the final 10 minutes.

Now in pursuit of a bonus-point in addition to sealing the victory and with the wind at their back, the final blow arrived four minutes from full-time. A penalty dispatched to the corner gave Glasgow the platform, before good patience in the shadow of the posts stretched the Munster defence to breaking point. In the end, Bayley Kuenzle, Lancaster and McKay’s passes were perfectly timed to send Dobie over in the corner for the score, silencing the Limerick crowd.

The missed conversion gave Munster one final chance at victory, only for a midfield turnover from Stephen and the awareness of Ollie Smith to snuff out hopes for the men in red. The final act would come from Lancaster as he booted the ball high into the stand, ensuring all five points would be travelling back over the Irish Sea with the Warrior Nation.

Glasgow Warriors return to Scotstoun next Saturday for their first BKT United Rugby Championship home game of the season, against Ulster (Saturday 3 October, kick-off 5:30pm). Tickets are still on sale.