Munster will be looking to continue their unbeaten start at Thomond Park with a victory over Ospreys, who have won just two in their last five games.
Last time these two faced each other it ended with Munster easily turning their opposition over, beating them 33-6. Ospreys will certainly be hoping to get their own back today.
Ellis Stevens will take you through the action as it happens.
STARTING LINEUPS
Here’s how the teams lineup.
Out come the players here at Thomond Park.
A minute of silence is held for the passing of former Munster player John O’Neill.
KICK OFF
2′
Bradley Davies goes down with what looks to be a shoulder injury, the physio are on here.
Substitution for Ospreys
5′
Referee gives the first Ruck penalty of the afternoon.
7′ Munster 0 – 5 Ospreys
Ospreys take an early lead through Luke Morgan who is able to speed past the defence and score the try.
8′ Munster 0 – 7 Ospreys
The conversion attempt is taken excellently to extend Ospreys lead, fantastic start from them.
12′
The first scrum of the day leads to a free-kick to Ospreys.
14′
Munster looking to hit back after the early try by Ospreys, but Ospreys are looking robust in the defence.
15′ Munster 7 – 7 Ospreys
Gavin Coombes pushes through three Ospreys defenders to get the first try for Munster and bring them straight back into the game.
The eventual conversion is scored.
16′
JJ Hanrahan taken down with a poor tackle, looks like he may need some attention.
19′ Munster 14 – 7 Ospreys
Fantastic try from Mike Haley as he is able to evade the tackle and dive over the line.
The conversion is then scored to take Munster further ahead of their opponents.
Munster will be happy to quickly hit back and take the lead.
20′
What a break that is by Coombes who is able to then release to Matt Gallagher who makes it to the Ospreys 22.
21′ Substitution for Munster
23′
Munster penalty after the collapse of the scrum.
24′ Munster 17 – 7 Ospreys
Healy, who has only been on the pitch for a couple of minutes is called into action and is able to add the three points on.
26′
Munster gain a massive amount of distance, as well as the possession following a scrum.
Scrum in Ospreys 22 follows.
29′
Great run by Morgan again after Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler intercepted for Ospreys, but the eventual penalty goes against Ospreys and gives it back to the hosts.
33′ Munster 17 – 10 Ospreys
Penalty to Ospreys is finished off by Stephen Myler as they try to push back into the game.
37′ Yellow Card to Luke Morgan
38′ Munster 22 – 10 Ospreys
Following the lineout maul, Munster are able to charge forward and Kevin O’Bryne touches down to extend Munster’s lead.
Munster 24 – 10 Ospreys
Healy is then able to extend the lead even further after the conversion, wasn’t an easy one either due to the tight angle.
HALF-TIME: MUNSTER 24 – 10 OSPREYS
Good first 40 minutes for Munster, who have been able to come back from behind to find themselves 14 ahead of their opposition.
Coombes will certainly be happy with his performance so far as he finds himself being at the centre of practically everything that Munster are doing today.
Ospreys must be disappointed to find themselves behind after such a promising start, but since then they really haven’t troubled Munster too much.
40′
The second half gets underway here at Thomond Park.
Ospreys will be looking to push back into the game in this second half.
42′
Penalty to Munster after a high tackle which sets up a close range lineout.
Ospreys are able push Munster back slightly, but Munster are still coming at them.
44′ Munster 29 – 10 Ospreys
Coombes gets his second try of the day, but all the credit goes to Craig Casey who was on his hands and knees as he pushed himself forward before the eventual try.
Munster 31 – 10
Healy again scores the conversion.
Munster already making use of their one-man advantage following Morgan’s yellow card.
46′ Substitution for Ospreys
49′
The energy of this Munster side is incredible, they are putting constant and heavy pressure on this Ospreys team whenever they have possession.
50′ Substitution for Ospreys
51′
Munster attacking down in the corner, but the ref may have blown his whistle slightly early. TMO review here.
No try is given, rather unfairly, and instead a scrum takes place.
54′ Munster 36 – 10 Ospreys
WOW.
What a game Coombes is having as he secures his third try of the game, such a powerful runner with the ball as he pushes through the Ospreys defence with ease.
Munster 38 – 10 Ospreys
The conversion is again scored by Healy as he maintains his 100% success rate today.
54′ Substitution for Munster
55′ Substitution for Ospreys
57′ Substitution for Munster
62′
Munster almost caught on the counter again by Ospreys, as Morgan tries to spring down the side before kicking it long.
64′ Substitution for Munster
64′ Munster 38 – 15 Ospreys
Penalty awarded to Ospreys after a high tackle, and it leads to a try for Ospreys as they get their second try of the afternoon.
Myler is unable to add the conversion and it stays 38-15 to Munster.
67′ Substitution for Ospreys
68′ Substitution for Munster
74′ Yellow Card to Jack O’Donoghue
76′ Munster 38 – 22 Ospreys
Penalty try awarded to Ospreys after Munster turn the scrum.
FULL-TIME: MUNSTER 38 – 22 OSPREYS
Munster beat Ospreys after an eventful afternoon at Thomond Park, with Coombes showing what he can do as he scores a hattrick of tries to make himself just the third number eight to score a hattrick in Pro 14 history.
Munster did slow down in the last quarter of the game which allowed Ospreys to try and push back into it, which they did with a penalty try awarded.
All in all it was a good day for Munster, but they will surely be looking to start off a bit faster in their next match after they did go behind early on today.
