Munster Rugby limp into Champions Cup knock-out stages after defeat to 14-man Northampton

MUNSTER Rugby have limped into the knock-out stages of this season's Investec Champions Cup after suffering a disappointing 23-26 defeat to 14-man Northampton Saints in front of an official attendance of 24,620 at a wet Thomond Park on Saturday night.

Strains of 'When the Saints go Marching In' could be heard all over Thomond Park at full-time as Northampton made it four wins from four in the pool and with it home advantage at the last 16 stage and quarter-final stage should the Premiership side reach them.

Munster do advance to the last 16 stage at least, thanks to their losing bonus point.

It was Northampton Saints who opened the scoring, with a brilliant individual try from scrum-half Alex Mitchell, the extras added by out-half Fin Smith who helped himself to 16 points in all.

Momentum gradually shifted the way of the hosts, with fly-half Jack Crowley first kicking three points from the tee before adding a conversion to centre Antoine Frisch’s score in the 37th minute.

Northampton Saints had lost full-back George Furbank to the sin bin in the build-up to the try. 

Saints hooker Curtis Langdon was then red-carded for making contact to the head of Munster Rugby second row Tom Ahern with his knee.

The home side made the most of their two-man advantage when striking for their second try, new Ireland captain and flanker Peter O'Mahony getting over in the corner for an unconverted score to send the hosts in 15-7 to the good at the break. 

An early try in the second period from number Gavin Coombes settled some Munster Rugby nerves, but a penalty and monster drop goal from Smith dragged the Gallagher Premiership side back into contention. 

A second Crowley penalty increased the side’s lead back up to seven, but Smith responded in kind with another huge kick from the tee. 

Replacement Sam Graham then silenced Thomond Park as he went over to give the visitors a shock win, Smith converting to leave the hosts trailing by three with ten minutes to go – a deficit they couldn’t overcome.

MUNSTER RUGBY: Simon Zebo; Calvin Nash, Antoine Frisch, Alex Nankivell, Shane Daly; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey; Jeremy Loughman, Niall Scannell, Oli Jager; Tom Ahern, Tadhg Beirne (capt); Peter O'Mahony, John Hodnett, Gavin Coombes. Replacements: Eoghan Clarke, Josh Wycherley, John Ryan, Brian Gleeson, Alex Kendellen, Paddy Patterson, Joey Carbery, Seán O’Brien.

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS: George Furbank (Capt); Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Rory Hutchinson, Ollie Sleightholme; Fin Smith, Alex Mitchell; Alex Waller, Curtis Langdon, Trevor Davison; Temo Mayanavanua, Alex Coles; Courtney Lawes, Tom Pearson, Juarno Augustus. Replacements: Robbie Smith, Emmanuel Iyogun, Elliot Millar-Mills, Alex Moon, Sam Graham, Tom James, Burger Odendaal, Charlie Savala.