Understrength Munster overpowered by Bath in European Champions Cup clash

An understrength Munster side was overpowered by Bath in their round one tie in the Investec Champions Cup this Saturday evening.

At The Rec, Bath ran out 40-14 winners in what was Clayton McMillan’s first Champions Cup fixture as Munster head coach.

But McMillan's Munster suffered a number of late setbacks in the days and hours before this tie.

Jack O'Donoghue was ruled out due to a HIA after the URC loss to DHL Stormers last weekend, Jack Crowley was ruled out during the week with an injury, Jean Kleyn was ruled out this morning for personal reasons and just before kick-off Michael Milne was ruled out.

All that on top of the current list of long-term injuries, which includes Calvin Nash and Oli Jager.

It was a tie that saw Edwin Edogbo, Lee Barron and Ruadhán Quinn all made their Champions Cup debuts.

There is little time for Munster to lick their wounds with a round two tie against Gloucester at Páirc Uí Chaoimh next Saturday, December 13, with a 5.30pm kick-off - a record crowd for a Champions Cup game in Munster is already assured with over 33,500 tickets sold in advance.

An opening quarter blitz from the hosts proved too much as they built a 35-14 half-time lead.

READ MORE: Agonising weekend for Limerick clubs in men's All-Ireland League action

Munster had plenty of possession and territory in the first five minutes but three dispossessions on Munster’s own lineout ball stemmed momentum and allowed Bath an opportunity to wrestle back control.

With Bath’s first maul attempt the hosts secured a penalty try after Tadhg Beirne illegally brought the setpiece down. The Munster captain also received a yellow card to make matter worse for the visitors.

A fifth Munster lineout went awry which resulted in a scrum for Bath. From this setpiece, Bath brought play close to the Munster line before a pick and go saw Miles Reid crash over. Finn Russell’s conversion ensured a 14-0 lead after just 10 minutes on the clock.

Two minutes later, Johann van Graan's Bath made it 21-0 when a grubber kick down field saw Henry Arundel collect and dot down.

Bath’s Tom Dunn was next to get on the score sheet with a try from the back of a maul. Russell’s conversion pushed Bath’s lead out to 28-0.

With 22 minutes on the clock, Munster got a much needed try when some passages of good play led to penalty concessions from the host. Eventually, Munster opted for a tap and go 5m out and after a strong carry from Gavin Coombes, Edwin Edogbo powered his way over for a try on his European debut. The try was converted by JJ Hanrahan.

Will Stuart went to the bin after Bath kept conceding penalties. Munster went for the 5m tap and go again severe defence pressure from Bath saw the hosts regain possession and clear their lines.

With the first half coming to a close, Bath went over for their fifth try which was converted by Russell before Munster got their second thanks to a snipe from the base of a ruck by Craig Casey.

Munster made three changes at the break with Michael Ala’alatoa and Lee Barron coming on in the front row while Alex Nankivell replaced Diarmuid Kilgallen on the wing.

Munster got off to a strong start after winning a scrum penalty in midfield which Hanrahan did brilliantly to drill into the corner. From the resulting lineout, however, the ball was stolen and Bath managed to clear their lines.

As it transpired, this was a big chance that was lost for Munster as the score remained the same entering the final 20 minutes.

Despite more opportunities in the Bath 22 Munster couldn’t get that third try and instead Ted Hill got a try for Bath against the run of play to leave the score 40-14 to the hosts.

MUNSTER: Shane Daly; Diarmuid Kilgallen (Nankivell 40′), Tom Farrell, Dan Kelly, Thaakir Abrahams; JJ Hanrahan, Craig Casey; Jeremy Loughman (J Wycherley 60′), Diarmuid Barron (L Barron 40′), John Ryan (Ala’alatoa 40′); Edwin Edogbo (Quinn 54′), Tom Ahern; Tadhg Beirne, John Hodnett (Kendellen 50′), Gavin Coombes (Wycherley 66′).