Exeter v Munster is one of the standout ties of this weekend's Champions Cup games.
While the opening round of Champions Cup fixtures were rather disastrous for three of the Irish provinces, Munster's result may have well have been the most damaging.
For the second time this season Munster had a 14-3 lead, and a position of relative security, evaporate before their eyes as Bayonne roared back to 17-17 with only minutes to play. A superb score in the corner followed by fly half, Thomas Dolhagaray, nailing a touchline conversion. Which, remarkably, was his first kick at goal of the season.
They travel to hostile territory in the form of Sandy Park to take on the 2019/20 Champions Cup winners, Exeter Chiefs. The Chiefs are coming off a sensational win. In which they pulled victory from the jaws of defeat as they surmounted a 18-5 deficit to win in the final play after a superb conversion from the boot of Henry Slade.
When is Exeter v Munster?
Exeter v Munster is the first of the Sunday matches this weekend, kicking off at 13:00 at Sandy Park.
How to Watch Exeter v Munster
The game is available on TNT Sports with coverage starting at 12:15.
Munster Team News
For the second time this season Munster had a 14-3 lead, and a position of relative security, evaporate before their eyes as Bayonne roared back to 17-17 with only minutes to play. A superb score in the corner followed by fly half, Thomas Dolhagaray, nailing a touchline conversion. Which, remarkably, was his first kick at goal of the season.
Jack Crowley organised his troops in to a position for a drop goal but he was unable to land the long range effort, likely hindered by the absence of his left boot.
9 December 2023; Jack Crowley of Munster attempts a last minute drop goal, while wearing only one boot, during the Investec Champions Cup Pool 3 Round 1 match between Munster and Aviron Bayonnais at Thomond Park in Limerick. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Diarmaid Barron and Oli Jäger have returned to the matchday 23 with Barron set for a first European start at hooker. Peter O'Mahony and Edwin Edogbo trained with the squad this week but have not been deemed fit to be part of the matchday squad. There is a place for two of Irish rugby's finest back row prospects, Brian Gleeson and Alex Kendellan, among the replacements.
While Simon Zebo is also absent, Munster are without Jean Kleyn, Roman Salanoa, Mike Haley, Joey Carbery, Niall Scannell and by all accounts Leinster's latest signing, RG Snyman, for the foreseeable future. Sean O'Brien is back on the wing to face his former team after suffering a knock to the head last weekend.
It is not an ideal time for some of Munster's finest European campaigners to be unavailable but this has become do or die territory for the reigning URC Champions if they are to qualify at the top of their pool, with a trip to Toulon also in their sites come January.
📢 TEAM NEWS | Here is your Munster side to face Exeter Chiefs in the #InvestecChampionsCup on Sunday afternoon.
Click the pic for full details.#EXEvMUN #SUAF 🔴— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) December 15, 2023
If there's a team who historically thrive in the pressure cooker of Europe, it's Munster. This is a team in desperate need of a result to right the ship in a season which hasn't produced a consistent run of performances to date. It felt as though the fans at Thomond found it difficult to get going in the second half as Munster defended manfully for long periods and their attack sputtered. Bernard Jackman specified a 'power deficiency' for Munster as they couldn't wrestle back momentum from Bayonne in the second half. They'll be hoping for a few of their returning heavy hitters to add that if they're to put in a performance on the English south coast.
Exeter Chiefs Team News
Exeter's opening weekend result would have been in doubt for even their most ardent supporters with 25 minutes to go in Toulon. The team that came to Toulon would be largely unrecognisable to those outside of the Exeter bubble. If anything it was the young guns who impressed most for the Devon-based outfit.
Substitute hooker Max Norey showed immense strength to twist and burrow his way over from 5 metres out unassisted to start the Chiefs comeback. Norey came agonisingly close in the dying embers as well before open side flanker Jacques Vermeulen piled over to give Slade a tough conversion for the win.
HENRY SLADE HAS ICE IN HIS VEINS 🥶
A point down away at giants Toulon, last kick of the game, what a way to win it for @ExeterChiefs 💪
Instant #InvestecChampionsCup highlights ⬇️— Investec Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) December 9, 2023
The Chiefs have been able to welcome some real quality back in to their squad in recent weeks in the form of Welshman, Dafydd Jenkins, who captains the side from the second row this weekend. Unfortunately, they are without two of their most impressive internationals in Christ Tshiunza and lock Jonny Gray.
Former Wallaby, Scott Sio makes the start at loosehead. Jack Dunne and Rory O'Loughlin, two men who will be familiar to Munster fans but normally in their native Leinster blue, feature amongst the replacements. Last week's try-scoring heroes - Max Norey and Jacques Vermeulen - both return to the matchday squad.
Team's🆙 #ChiefsFamily👊
👊Lewis Pearson starts on the blindside
🪽 Olly Woodburn is back on the wing
💥Jack Dunne, Ollie Devoto & Rory O'Loughlin on the bench
🤝 In association with our friends @VertuMotors
Exeter Chiefs Team Sheet Partner @RGBRecruitment 🙌#EXEvMUN pic.twitter.com/XazuteAUlb— Exeter Chiefs (@ExeterChiefs) December 15, 2023
