Leicester Tigers have claimed a convincing 42-19 victory over Munster in a fast-paced, physical encounter at Mattioli Woods Welford Road. A dominant first half set the foundation, and despite a spirited Munster fightback early in the second period, Tigers pulled away to secure the win.
First Half
Tigers struck first through Joseph Woodward, the centre showing great strength to spin out of contact and score under the posts in the seventh minute. Handré Pollard converted with ease to give the hosts a 7-0 lead.
Momentum stayed with Leicester, and they doubled their advantage in the 14th minute when Olly Cracknell finished off a flowing move, with fullback Mike Brown providing the crucial offload. Pollard’s conversion made it 14-0. Just three minutes later, Woodward grabbed his second of the afternoon, bursting down the right after slick hands from Adam Radwan and Brown (21-0).
A fourth try would follow in the 26th minute. A strong break from Woodward set the stage before Tom Whiteley’s vision and captain Hanro Liebenberg’s offload sent lock Cameron Henderson through to score. Another successful Pollard kick extended the lead to 28-0 at halftime.
Second Half
Munster came out firing after the break, and number eight Brian Gleeson got the visitors on the scoreboard in the 43rd minute, with the conversion making it 28-7. They struck again three minutes later through Conor Ryan, closing the gap to 28-14. A third Munster try followed in the 54th minute, with Seán Edogbo powering over to make it 28-19.
Tigers needed a response to stem the flow, and replacement Ben Volavola provided it with a moment of magic in the 57th minute. His pinpoint grubber kick sat up perfectly for Solomone Kata to finish, and the Fijian fly-half added the conversion to restore Leicester’s cushion at 35-19.
With the game firmly in their grasp, Tigers finished with a flourish. Their dominant scrum paved the way for academy scrum half Charlie Bemand to snatch a close-range try in the 70th minute, and Volavola’s conversion took the score to 42-19, sealing the win.
Commentary
FULL TIME
CONVERSION IS GOOD
Volavola makes it 42-19.
TRY TIGERS | CHARLIE BEMAND
Try Tigers! Scrum half Charlie Bemand gets the putdown, but the credit goes to Tigers' scrum. Young 9 won't be popular in the forwards room for that one.
SUBS | TIGERS
Bemand and Hoyt for Whiteley and Cole
CONVERSION IS SUCCESSFUL
Volavola converts from in front.
TRY TIGERS | SOLOMONE KATA
Great grubber from Ben Volavola and the ball sits up for Sol Kata to score!
SUBS | TIGERS
Volavola, Hatherell and Shillcock for Pollard, Cracknell and Brown
Try Munster | Seán Edogbo
Munster have a third through flanker Seán Edogbo.
SUBS | TIGERS
Bassett, Carnduff, Wells, Kelly and Montoya for Hassell-Collins, Liebenberg, Henderson, Perese and Clare.
Try Munster | Conor Ryan
Munster have a second and it's converted.
Try Munster | Brian Gleeson
Visitors get on the board through their number eight and it's converted.
41
Back underway!
Tigers take a big lead into the break
CONVERSION IS SUCCESSFUL
Polly is on fire from the tee, another tough one goes over.
TRY TIGERS | CAMERON HENDERSON
Great try! Woodward makes the initial break. Whiteley had the vision to find Liebenberg on the left edge, and his little inside ball to a supporting Cam Henderson was perfect.
20
Held up
This time it's Tigers denying Munster on the line. Great defence from our guys.
CONVERSION IS GOOD
Pollard knocks it over again.
TRY TIGERS | WOODWARD
Woodward has a double. Plenty of work to finish from the centre but the hands from Radwan and Brown sent him into space down the right hand touchline.
CONVERSION IS GOOD
Polly converts from out wide.
TRY TIGERS | OLLY CRACKNELL
Whiteley breaks the line, Brown offloads to Cracknell and the number eight shows good wheels to score.
11
Held up!
James Whitcombe comes close to getting Tigers second but it's held up over the line.
Rain pouring down. Going is soft to very soft.
9
Great turnover
Visitors looking to respond but Emeka Ilione turns it over.
The flanker backs it up with two more and Tigers now have a footing in Munster's 22.
CONVERSION IS SUCCESSFUL
Pollard knocks over the simple conversion.
TRY TIGERS | JOSEPH WOODWARD
Joseph Woodward opens the scoring! Great spin out of contact, and the centre runs it under the posts.
-1
The teams are out
-20
20 to go
Teams are getting warm and we're getting ready for the off here at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.