Munster Rugby come up just short against Leinster in Thomond Park arm wrestle

MUNSTER Rugby came up just short in their bid to secure a first double over Leinster since the 2014/2015 season when going down 13-8 at Thomond Park on Saturday night.

Munster had been looking to end a six game losing run at home to Leinster and complete a home and away double in the URC regular season over their visitors following their success at Croke Park last October. 

However, the home side lost out narrowly despite a late try from Dan Kelly.

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Munster were forced into late change to their line-up prior to kick-off with Limerick winger Calvin Nash ruled out due to illness. Shane Daly switched to the right wing as a result with Mike Haley starting the game at full-back.

John Ryan made his 250th Munster appearance off the bench on the game and as a result became just the third player to reach the landmark, with only Stephen Archer (304) and Donncha O’Callaghan (268) playing more games for the province.

Josh van der Flier scored holders Leinster's only try of the opening half in the sixth minute with eight further points from the boot of Harry Byrne enough to make sure of the tightly contested victory.

Leinster held a 7-0 interval lead after a stop-start opening period.

Dan Kelly's try with 10 minutes remaining had brought Munster back within five points but stout defence in the closing stages ensured Leo Cullen's men held on for the away win.

MUNSTER RUGBY: Mike Haley; Shane Daly, Tom Farrell, Alex Nankivell, Thaakir Abrahams; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey; Michael Milne, Lee Barron, Michael Ala'alatoa; Edwin Edogbo, Tom Ahern; Tadhg Beirne (C), Jack O'Donoghue, Gavin Coombes. Replacements: Diarmuid Barron, Jeremy Loughman, John Ryan, Jean Kleyn, Fineen Wycherley, Paddy Patterson, Dan Kelly, John Hodnett.

LEINSTER RUGBY: Ciarán Frawley, Tommy O'Brien, Rieko Ioane, Robbie Henshaw, James Lowe, Harry Byrne, Jamison Gibson-Park, Andrew Porter, Rónan Kelleher, Thomas Clarkson, Joe McCarthy, James Ryan, Max Deegan, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris. Replacements: John McKee, Paddy McCarthy, Tadhg Furlong, Diarmuid Mangan, Scott Penny, Fintan Gunne, Charlie Tector, Andrew Osborne.

Referee: Peter Martin (IRFU).