Edogbo try gives Munster narrow win v Stormers

Munster returned to winning ways in the BKT United Rugby Championship, bouncing back from last week's defeat to Ulster with a gritty 10-3 win against the Stormers in Limerick

Just under six months on from their nail-biting URC final in Cape Town, this was a much different kind of game between the sides, with both teams struggling to deal with the conditions at a windy and sometimes rainy Thomond Park.

In a game with so few attacking opportunities, it was a day for the kickers and Jack Crowley continued his impressive growth in a Munster shirt.

The out-half was Player of the Match as he impressively managed Munster’s game in difficult conditions, while making both of his shots at goal.

His penalty after just under a quarter of an hour got them on the board, before he converted Edwin Edogbo’s try just before half time. Edogbo is another who seems to be growing in confidence every time he plays, and the Corkman was tireless in his 50-minute shift.

There were other players who stood up to be counted after last week’s defeat to Ulster, with Alex Nankivell impressing in defence, and the New Zealander came up with an incisive break during the first half which Munster couldn’t make count.

The province’s lineout was much improved with Tadhg Beirne and Peter O’Mahony back in the side, but it was in the scrum where Munster will be worried. They were consistently driven back by a powerful Stormers pack and only for a dogged defence, which held up Evan Roos over the line twice, Munster could have been staring at a second defeat in a row.

Munster played with a strong wind at their backs in the opening half but struggled to put it to any use early on.

Indeed, it was the Stormers who dealt better with the conditions, sending multiple