Munster clinch bonus-point win over 13-man Stade
Thaakir Abrahams touches down for Munster's first try against Stade Francais
- Published
Munster: (14) 33
Tries: Abrahams, Daly, Kendellen, Farrell, Coombes Pens: Cons: Crowley 4
Stade Francais: (0) 7
Tries: Castets Pens: Cons: Henry
Munster began their Investec Champions Cup Pool 3 campaign with a comprehensive 33-7 bonus-point win over a Stade Francais team who played much of the second half with 13 men.
The Irish province were 14 points to the good at the interval at Thomond Park thanks to converted tries from Thaakir Abrahams and Shane Daly.
Visiting second row Pierre Azagoh was sent-off for catching Peter O'Mahony with a flying arm nine minutes after the break, then Alex Kendellen grounded to extend Munster's lead.
Baptise Pesenti saw red after 53 for a dangerous tackle, before Tom Farrell touched down for the bonus-point score.
Clement Castets' try reduced the arrears but Gavin Coombes had the final say with his side's fifth score in the corner.
Munster's next game is at home to Castres on Friday.
Daly solo try lights up first half
Munster began the game strongly and went ahead in the 15th minute when Abrahams dived over in the corner after Craig Casey nipped out from the back of a maul and provided the pass for the wing.
O'Mahony soared highest to win the ball in the line-out to set up the platform for the score.
On 26 minutes centre Alex Nankivell received a yellow card for a high tackle on Lucas Peyresblanque but despite their temporary numerical disadvantage Munster increased their lead with an outstanding solo effort from Daly.
The full-back showed brilliant skill to execute two deft chip kicks into space and then showed a turn of speed to race past two Stade defenders and go over for a stunning individual try.
Crowley kicked his second conversion and although the home side were unable to turn further pressure on their opponents' line into points they took a 14-point lead into the break.
Red cards and bonus-point secured
Stade enjoyed a period of pressure on the resumption but were reduced to 14 men on 49 when Azagoh was sent-off after a lengthy Television Match Official (TMO) review for catching O'Mahony on the head with a flying arm.
Munster's third try followed one minute later when O'Mahony won the line-out and the hosts produced a strong maul, Kendellen breaking free to touch down.
Things went from bad to worse for the French side as they lost another of their second rows, Pesenti, to a red card.
The Stade forward lifted Casey off the ground, then dropped him on the ground, with the scrum-half fortunate not to land on his head.
Munster capitalised on their two-man advantage to seal the bonus point as Farrell went over for a Champions Cup debut try, with Crowley maintaining his 100% record from the tee up to that point with the additional two points.
The French side reduced their deficit when Castets barged over the line after a quick interchange, Zack Henry adding the extras.
A stretched visiting defence allowed Coombes to find himself in acres of space before dotting down in the corner.
Line-ups
Munster: Daly; Nash, Farrell, Nankivell, Abrahams; Crowley, Casey; Bleuler, Barron (capt), J Ryan; O'Connell, Wycherley; O'Mahony, Kendellen, Coombes.
Replacements: Scannell, K Ryan, Archer, Beirne, Hodnett, Patterson, Burns, O'Donoghue.
Stade Francais: Jonas; Laloi, Marchant, Boudehent, Ezeala; Henry, Motassi; Castets, Peyresblanques, Kodela; Azagoh, Pesenti; Huguet, Chapuis (capt), Tanga.
Replacements: Petriashvili, M Alo-Emile, P Alo-Emile, Turagacoke, Timo, Scelzo, Foursans-Bourdette, Carbonel.