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Wasps celebrate scoring against ASM Clermont Auvergne in last season's Heineken Champions Cup
Wasps host Munster Rugby in the Heineken Champions Cup at Coventry Building Society Arena on Sunday as the two sides meet for the first time in over a decade.
They have four previous encounters in the competition – with both sides picking up two wins each – but their last meetings were in the 2007/08 pool stages, with the two matches being won by the home side on the day.
Kick-off in the Pool B match is at 15:15 (UK & Irish time) and it can be watched on BT Sport and beIN Sports.
Other key facts:
- Wasps have only lost one of 11 home games against Irish opposition in the European Cup (W9,D1) – but that defeat came in their most recent such fixture, when they lost 37-19 to Leinster Rugby in January 2019.
- Munster have conceded an average of just 15 points per game in their last six away games against Premiership opposition.
- Wasps’ tackle success rate of 83% was the lowest of any side in the Heineken Champions Cup last season – they missed 64 tackles in the campaign in total.
- Simon Zebo of Munster has scored 32 tries in the competition – one more draws him level with Brian O’Driscoll and moves him up to join third spot on the all-time try scorers list, behind Vincent Clerc (36) and Chris Ashton (40).
Munster Rugbys Scott Buckley dots down in the Heineken Champions Cup
Keith Earls, Patrick Campbell, Andrew Conway and Scott Buckley crossed the whitewash for Munster Rugby as they earned a 35-14 victory over Wasps at the Coventry Building Society Arena.
In response, Wasps notched tries from Alfie Barbeary and Michael Le Bourgeois, but the 25th minute sending off of captain Brad Shields – while trailing 3-0 – was ultimately an unsurmountable challenge for the English side
Christmas has come early for Scott Buckley 🎄
And that smile from the 21-year-old @Munsterrugby hooker sums it up 😁#HeinekenChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/gY5rap5JtD
— Heineken Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) December 12, 2021
Munster took the lead after seven minute, Wasps committing an offside penalty inside their own 22, dispatched by Joey Carbery for the Irish province.
With 25 minutes played, the pivotal moment of the contest occurred. Wasps captain Brad Shields was adjudged to have committed a high tackle – referee Romain Poite showing the red card as two-time European Cup winners were reduced to 14-men.
Carbery added a further three points moments later, but it was the underhanded Englishmen that notched the first try of the afternoon– Alfie Barbeary the finisher of a flowing Wasps move.
Munster responded prior to the break with a try of their own. Earls latched on to a Conor Murray chip, dotting down the bouncing ball.
On the brink of half time Wasps were reduced to 13-men, Dan Frost sent to the sin bin for going off his feet at the breakdown.
This game 🤯@Munsterrugby and @WaspsRugby are providing some top entertainment this afternoon 🍿#HeinekenChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/snKUpTMKGR
— Heineken Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) December 12, 2021
Munster took full advantage of the two-man difference in the opening salvos of the second period, full-back Campbell scoring within 120 seconds of the re-start for a try on debut.
Five minutes later a Wasps handling error opened the door for Munster to add a third try – Conway reacting to the loose ball, cruising to the whitewash unabated.
The bonus point try came with 55 minutes played, hooker Buckley cleverly finishing a well-worked lineout – another debut try for a Munster player.
Despite the deficit – both in points and in men – Wasps responded just after the hour mark with a try of their own. Michael Le Bourgeois the scorer with an opportunist scamper through the Munster line.
Wasps now face the unenviable task of a trip to Toulouse to take on the defending European champions Stade Toulousain next Sunday, while Munster host Castres Olympique in round two.
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