Munster with it all to play for after narrow loss to Exeter

Exeter will take a narrow lead to Limerick next weekend after edging out Munster 13-8 in a tense Heineken Champions Cup round-of-16 clash at Sandy Park.

The Chiefs looked on their way to a sizeable victory after first-half tries by full-back Stuart Hogg and flanker Jacques Vermeulen put them 10 points clear.

But injury-hit Munster rallied after Exeter were reduced to 13 men for a quarter of the second period when wing Olly Woodburn and replacement prop Patrick Schickerling received yellow cards in rapid succession.

Wing Shane Daly touched down for Munster, while fly-half Ben Healy kicked a penalty, but it was Hogg’s drop-goal from 45 metres out that could ultimately make a significant difference.

Exeter, looking to win the European Cup for a second time in three seasons, will feel they should have put the game away before indiscipline hit them.

But Munster, twice European champions, displayed trademark grit and resilience to set up an intriguing second leg at Thomond Park.

Exeter were without injured England internationals Jack Nowell, Ollie Devoto, Luke Cowan-Dickie and Jonny Hill, but welcomed back centre Henry Slade, prop Harry Williams and number eight Sam Simmonds to the starting line-up.

Munster’s injury troubles saw skipper Peter O’Mahony and fly-half Joey Carbery sidelined, with Simon Zebo, Tadhg Beirne and Gavin Coombes also out, testing resources ahead of the team’s first European Cup meeting since 2019.

Incredible last-ditch defence from Keith Earls & Chris Farrell.#EXEvMUN #SUAF