MUNSTER 39 – 13 CONNACHT
These are the type of head-scratchers that Joe Schmidt will enjoy having.
While Wales, France and England are all going into the Six Nations championship with mounting injury issues, Ireland look well stocked [touch wood!]. The festive inter-pros always had the potential to knock out a few key Irish players but the injury Gods have been kind.
Instead, Schmidt looks set to have some selection debates in the days and weeks ahead. There is suddenly a bevvy of backline options.
Andrew Conway only made his Ireland debut in March of last year but he is screaming out for a place in Ireland’s starting XV. Having played well at fullback in the wins over Japan and Fiji, last year, Conway is ticking along nicely on Munster’s right wing.
The former Leinster player was the brightest attacking spark of a frigid, grinding opening spell. Darren O’Shea powered over for a try after a nice Chris Farrell burst but there was little else – bar two nice Conway carries and a CJ Stander chip and chase – to get excited about. Connacht started well but would eventually run out of gas.
Conway’s tenacious defence was needed in the second half when his snag on Jarrad Butler prevented a two-on-one. Not only did the Munster winger get Butler down, he held on and forced a turnover when the Connacht flanker failed to release.
The second half breakthrough – and the score that put some distance between hosts and visitors – came when Conway sprinted up his wing and dove onto a grubber kick from Ian Keatley that had deceived Tiernan O’Halloran.
That score all but did for battle-weary Connacht. Conway featured in a lovely move that set up a try for Keith Earls in the left-hand corner. Keatley and Rory Scannell also featured in the lovely set-play.
Quinn Roux was yellow-carded, soon after, for a tip tackle on Earls [landing on his shoulder] and Munster immediately made the man advantage count – Murray sniping over. The scrum-half repeated the dose with 10 minutes to play and it was starting to get ugly.
Conway switched to the left wing after Earls was withdrawn and finished out the full 80-minute allocation. He made 82 metres of is nine carries, with four clean breaks, a try and an assist to his name. Connacht’s efforts were rewarded with a late try for Tom McCartney.
Leinster’s Jordan Larmour has flung his name into the selection mix with two stunning performances – against Munster and Ulster – over the holidays and there is suddenly a queue for Ireland’s No.15 jersey.
Conway will be hoping to stake his claim further in the Champions Cup pool games. He is in red-hot form right now.
