Summary

  • Munster 7-28 Leinster (Result)

  • Leinster score twice in first half through Luke McGrath and Sam Prendergast

  • Tommy O'Brien shown yellow card for Leinster after 20 minutes

  • Munster get on the board through Tom Ahern but Leinster strike back with Josh van der Flier score

  • Caelan Doris secures bonus point with seven minutes left

  1. Postpublished at 20:35 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December

    Munster 0-14 Leinster

    The second half is underway here in Thomond Park.

    Billy Burns kicks into Leinster's half and they win the scrum.

    Andrew Porter is penalised at the scrum and Munster kick to the corner.

    Can they capitalise on this opportunity?

  2. Half-timepublished at 20:21 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December

    Munster 0-14 Leinster

    That's half time here in Limerick as Leinster go the happier the two sides at the break, with a two-try lead.

    Tries from Leinster's Luke McGrath and Sam Prendergast are the difference between the sides, with Munster going in scoreless after failing to capitalise on spells of territory and possession.

    A try for the hosts after the break could swing the momentum in their favour, however the visitors have looked the more comfortable of the two sides so far.

    An interesting second half is in store!

    Josh van der Flier celebratesImage source, Inpho
  3. Postpublished at 20:20 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December

    Munster 0-14 Leinster

    Munster's lineout misfires once again as James Ryan steals the ball with ease.

    They need to find a solution as their lineout has repeatedly gone awry.

  4. Postpublished at 20:18 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December

    Munster 0-14 Leinster

    Munster miss touch on their own penalty and then are punished as they lose a kick-battle, with Sam Prendergast finding good distance with his clearance.

    Munster's lineout really struggling again and Leinster win the ball back.

  5. converted try

    Converted try: Munster 0-14 Leinsterpublished at 20:12 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December

    Sam Prendergast

    Leinster strike again through out-half Sam Prendergast.

    The visitors pummel Munster's line before swinging the ball out to Prendergast who demonstrates his pace to speed through a gap and over the line.

    Prendergast adds the extras.

    Sam PrendergastImage source, Inpho
    Image caption,

    Sam Prendergast has nine points in the first half

  6. Postpublished at 20:11 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December

    Munster 0-7 Leinster

    Gavin Coombes has been penalised for going off his feet at the breakdown and it's now Leinster's turn to tap and go close to the line as they search for their second try.

    The visitors are pummelling Munster's line.

    Can they get their second try?

  7. Postpublished at 20:09 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December

    Munster 0-7 Leinster

    Munster's lineout is messy and Ethan Coughlan is carried over his own line.

    Scrum to Leinster just five metres out.

    A great attacking chance for Leinster.

  8. Postpublished at 20:08 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December

    Munster 0-7 Leinster

    Leinster win another scrum penalty and Sam Prendergast kicks for touch.

    A probing kick from the out-half is dealt with by Mike Haley but his clearance kick has given the visitors another chance to attack.

    Another kick into touch gives Munster the lineout but they will have to clear their lines in a dangerous position.

  9. Postpublished at 20:03 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December

    Munster 0-7 Leinster

    Frustration for Munster as they just can't seem to get past the blue wall of defence.

    Great battling from the hosts but they come away from an extended period of territory and possession empty handed.

    Leinster now have the scrum and the pressure is relieved.

  10. Postpublished at 20:01 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December

    Munster 0-7 Leinster

    Munster held up!

    Tadgh Beirne is held up over the line.

    Great defensive work from Gary Ringrose.

    An intense passage of play.

    Four penalties in a row but Leinster proving incredibly difficult to break down despite being down to 14 men.

  11. Postpublished at 20:00 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December

    Munster 0-7 Leinster

    So close from Munster!

    A clever kick from Billy Burns over the line but great defence from Leinster saves a try.

    Munster go back for yet another penalty just in front of the posts and they will tap and go once again.

    Another advantage is played and this time the referee shows a yellow card to Tommy O'Brien.

    Gavin CoombesImage source, Inpho
    Image caption,

    Gavin Coombes is getting through plenty of work for Munster

  12. Postpublished at 19:57 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December

    Munster 0-7 Leinster

    The lineout ball goes loose and a game of kick tennis ensues.

    Sam Prendergast does well to sidestep a tackle but the out-half is then penalised for not releasing the ball in the tackle and Munster have the penalty inside Leinster's half.

    The hosts going through the phases now and they win another penalty at the breakdown.

    The signal they are going to tap-and-go.

    Can they make their spell of territory count?

  13. Postpublished at 19:54 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December

    Munster 0-7 Leinster

    Leinster really putting the pressure on at the scrum.

    Prendergast spreads the ball wide to Jimmy O'Brien but Calvin Nash covers well and drags the winger into touch.

    Munster have the lineout just inside their own half.

  14. Postpublished at 19:52 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December

    Munster 0-7 Leinster

    Leinster manage to resist the Munster attack with some good work at the breakdown.

    Jamie Osbourne attempts to clear his lines, but doesn't find touch and Munster now surge forward once again.

    A knock on from Mike Haley stops their momentum and it's a scrum to Leinster.

  15. Postpublished at 19:50 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December

    Munster 0-7 Leinster

    Munster now attacking with intent in the Leinster 22.

    Billy Burns with a great cross-field kick to Gavin Coombes on the wing but he's tackled and the referee brings it back for an earlier penalty.

    Munster kick to the corner and will now seek to capitalise from a lineout close to Leinster's line.

  16. converted try

    Converted try: Munster 0-7 Leinsterpublished at 19:45 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December

    Luke McGrath (try); Sam Prendergast (conv)

    Leinster with the perfect start.

    Scrum-half Luke McGrath touches down to get his side off the mark.

    A lineout and a couple of phases later McGrath spots a gap at the side of a ruck and scrurries over.

    Sam Prendergast adds a tricky conversion.

    Luke McGrathImage source, Inpho
  17. Postpublished at 19:44 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December

    Munster 0-0 Leinster

    Munster have the scrum deep in their own half.

    A powerful scrum from Leinster earns them a scrum penalty and the blue front row give themselves a deserved pat on the back.

    They point to the corners and now have a great attacking platform five metres out.

  18. Postpublished at 19:42 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December

    Munster 0-0 Leinster

    A kick from Billy Burns down the middle of the pitch dribbles into the dead ball area and it's a scrum to Leinster on the halfway line.

    The scrum holds solid and the ball is spread wide to Jimmy O'Brien.

    Luke McGrath spots a gap on the fringe of a ruck and surges forward.

    Robbie Henshaw's pass goes forward and Munster are off the hook, but Leinster look dangerous with the ball in hand.

  19. Postpublished at 19:39 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December

    Munster 0-0 Leinster

    Munster's lineout malfunctions and Sam Prendergast clears his lines.

    A lost opportunity for the hosts.

    A Munster line-out goes over Tadhg BeirneImage source, Inpho
  20. Postpublished at 19:38 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December

    Munster 0-0 Leinster

    Munster going through the phases and signalling their attacking intent in the first 90 seconds or so.

    The hosts earn a penalty and they kick to the corner.

    Can they capitalise on some early momentum?