Munster V Northampton

Saints were frustrated by an incredibly stubborn Munster side as Phil Dowson's men fell to a second defeat in as many Heineken Champions Cup matches this ...

Saints secured a series of penalties in the passages of play that followed, but Munster held out and continued to push the home players back to add fuel to frustration. There was one final chance for Saints to attack before the break, but they lost the ball and Munster cleared their lines to preserve their advantage. When Saints tried to mount an attack at the other end of the field, Munster got over the ball close to their own posts to relieve the pressure. And after the black, green and gold failed to get the ball out of their own scrum, they were penalised, allowing Munster to set up a lineout move that resulted in Coombes going over. Saints had plenty of time to score after that, and they knocked on the door, but Munster were so resilient, showing why they have conceded the second fewest points in the United Rugby Championship so far this season. But the intensity and linespeed of the Irish giants was superb as they refused to concede a single try on a freezing cold and slippery afternoon at the Gardens.