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Northampton director of rugby Jim Mallinder admitted his side did not want the first half to end
Munster and Northampton renew old rivalries at Thomond Park with last season’s finalists looking to overturn their 2010 quarter-final defeat at the hands of the Irish Province.
Munster, who lifted the Heineken Cup in 2006 and 2008 will be out to prove a point in this year’s competition after failing to reach the knock-out stages last year for the first time in 13 seasons.
Tony McGahan’s side went onto be crowned Celtic League Champions last term and have started well again in that competition and will be looking to begin this campaign with victory over a Northampton Saints side who lost just once in the tournament in 2010/11.
The Saints reached the final in Cardiff back in May unbeaten and looked on track to lift their second trophy, leading Leinster convincingly at the break.
A stunning second-half comeback from the Irish province shocked the English side and denied them a second glory so hunger will be high in Jim Mallinder’s squad to go one better this time around.
Ronan O'Gara broke Northampton hearts as the Ireland fly-half kicked a late drop-goal to hand Munster a 23 v 21 victory over the Saints at Thomond Park. - 12/11/2011 20:33
Ronan O’Gara broke Northampton hearts as the Ireland fly-half kicked a late drop-goal to hand Munster a 23 v 21 victory over the Saints at Thomond Park.
The English Premiership side, and last season’s beaten finalists Northampton looked set to record a famous victory in Limerick until O’Gara, who was playing in his 98th Heineken Cup game struck with a last minute drop-goal.
It was the hosts who got the ideal start in the evening kick-off with prop Damien Varley barging his way over the line after just 3 minutes, signalling Munster’s intent.
Saints though responded immediately, England winger Chris Ashton diving over for a try of his own six minutes later.
Fly-half Ryan Lamb converted and then kept the scoreboard ticking over for the visitors with two further first half penalties.
And just as it looked as the Saints would go into the break ahead, Munster scored ten points in the final two minutes. First O’Gara slotted a penalty and then a minute later he was lining up a conversion under the posts after Doug Howlett had touched down.
It was O’Gara who drew first blood in the second period with a second penalty and Lamb responded with one of his own three minutes later.
Northampton’s dominance upfront gave them a platform and they scored their second try with James Downey touching down.
Lamb missed the conversion but the Saints did have the lead and that’s how the game stayed until the final few seconds.
Munster used all their European experience and threw everything at Northampton as the game drew to a conclusion.
And in true Munster style they put together an epic 40 phases to put O’Gara in position to strike and strike he did. His drop-goal was met with delight at Thomond Park as Munster kicked off their 2011/12 campaign with victory.
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