Munster Rugby's second half surge secures Christmas bonus win over Gloucester in Champions Cup

MUNSTER Rugby got back to winning ways in the Investec Champions Cup after securing a precious 31-3 bonus point victory over Gloucester in front of an official attendance of 36,208 at Supervalu Pairc Ui Chaoimh on Saturday night.

The home side, playing their first Champions Cup game on Leeside in 23 years, produced an impressive second half showing when backed by a significant wind to dismiss the Cherry and Whites challenge. 

Munster, who led 7-3 at half-time, thanks to a Dan Kelly try. Gloucester prop Jamal Ford-Robinson was yellow-carded for a dangerous clearout on Jack Crowley during that opening period.

The home side added four more tries after the restart, including three in the final 15 minutes, to break Gloucester's stubborn resistence.

Full-back Mike Haley found just enough space down the right as he reached into the corner for a second five-pointer.

Ruadhan Quinn, Tom Farrell and Tadhg Beirne added further tries late on as Munster bounced back from their heavy defeat to Bath seven days earlier to record a precious success. Gloucester's cause was not helped by the sin-binning of Caio James with 13 minutes left.

This was the 11th Champions Cup meeting of Munster and Gloucester, and the Irish province now lead the head-to-head record 8-2.

The last time Munster had played a European game on Leeside was back in December 2002, when the province beat Italian minnows Viadana 64-0 at Musgrave Park.

Young Munster tighthead prop Conor Bartley made his Champions Cup debut off the bench in Saturday night's win on Leeside.

Former Castletroy College student Bartley is in line for his Champions Cup debut off the bench, having signed short-term deals last season before being added to the senior squad.

Thirty year-old Bartley made his URC debut when introduced off the bench against the Scarlets in the URC in September.

Next up for Munster Rugby in the Champions Cup is a Sunday, January 11 meeting with Toulon at the Stade Felix Mayol in France. Kick-off is at 1pm Irish time.

Munster return to action in the URC on Saturday next with a crucial away date against the Ospreys at Dunraven Brewery Stadium, 5.30pm.

MUNSTER RUGBY: Mike Haley; Shane Daly, Dan Kelly, Alex Nankivell, Ben O’Connor; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey; Michael Milne, Niall Scannell, Michael Ala’alatoa; Jean Kleyn, Tadhg Beirne (Captain); Tom Ahern, Jack O’Donoghue, Gavin Coombes. Replacements: Diarmuid Barron, Josh Wycherley, Conor Bartley, Edwin Edogbo, Ruadhán Quinn, Paddy Patterson, JJ Hanrahan, Tom Farrell.

GLOUCESTER: George Barton; Josh Hathaway, Will Knight, Max Knight, Rob Russell; Charlie Atkinson, Mike Austin; Dian Bleuler, Jack Innard, Jamal Ford-Robinson; Cam Jordan, Arthur Clark (Captain); Josh Basham, Harry Taylor, Jack Clement. Replacements: Kealan Freeman Price, Ciaran Knight, Afolabi Fasogbon, Danny Eite, Hugh Bokenham, Caio James, Rhys Price, Jack Cotgreave.

Referee: Ben Breakspear (Wales).