Munster got their Champions Cup campaign underway on Saturday evening against French side Stade Francais.
There are few things in sport as magic as a wintry European night at Thomond Park, and the iconic stadium was rocking in the bitter cold of Storm Darragh as the teams took to the pitch.
It was to be a flying start from Munster, who went in at the break 14-0 up thanks to tries from Thaakir Abrahams and Shane Daly having them comfortably in the ascendancy.
Daly's try was especially beautiful, with the full-back volleying his own chip through to complete a superb move.
A quite brilliant (double) chip and chase from Shane Daly has Munster firmly in control at Thomond Park. Once again, Crowley obliges with the extras.
30min: Munster 14-0 Stade Francais
📺Watch Munster v Stade Francais LIVE on RTÉ2 pic.twitter.com/06taflwIeH— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) December 7, 2024
Though Stade Francais had their moments and Alex Nankivell was perhaps lucky to avoid a red card for a high tackle, it was undeniably Munster who were on top before the break.
Despite their attacking prominence, Munster occasionally struggled with indiscipline during the opening 40, epitomised by Nankivell's risky tackle.
Munster hooker Alex Nankivell perhaps lucky to escape a red card for a high tackle against Stade Francais. It's just yellow. The hosts still lead 7-0 at Thomond Park.#RTErugby
📺Watch Munster v Stade Francais LIVE on RTÉ2 pic.twitter.com/WnWNxOvIYQ— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) December 7, 2024
With half-time approaching, referee Luke Pearce was growing frustrated with the home side, and made his feelings clear to Munster captain Diarmuid Barron.
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Ref Luke Pearce makes frustrations clear with Munster players
As the clock ticked towards half-time, Munster were in the ascendancy even with the home side down to 14 men.
A period of brilliant pressure saw Stade Francais centre Joe Marchant forced to carry the ball over his own dead ball line, a situation that would usually see a scrum awarded to Munster.
However, an altercation between Marchant and X who had forced him over the line led to the two players colliding with the advertising hoardings - and a ruckus breaking out between the two sets of players. Luke Pearce would ultimately award a penalty against Munster.
Pearce explained that he felt that Dian Bleuler had forced Marchant into the hoardings, despite TV cameras suggesting it had transpired the other way round.
As Barron expressed his frustration, Pearce added that the conduct of Jack Crowley off the ball had also been a contributing factor.
Pearce: "I'll explain in English. It would have been [Munster's] scrum because clearly they're taking the ball back. But it's going to be a penalty against you for two reasons. I don't think [Bleuler] needed to finish [Marchant] off into the hoardings..."
Barron: "[Marchant] pulled him in!"
Pearce: "Hang on...secondly, your ten is running around using language that probably isn't appropriate [Barron interjects] No, no...let me make it very clear. It would have been your scrum but, because of your team's behaviour, it's now a penalty, so I suggest you control-"
Barron: "He's pulled him into the hoardings."
Pearce: "I suggest you control your team rather than talking to me."
In the midst of the scrap between the two teams, Pearce could be heard shouting "Jack, Jack!" as Crowley engaged Stade Francais players.
It was a tetchy moment, and Munster captain Barron was visibly frustrated as he left the exchange.
No doubt he will have had a quiet word with Jack Crowley and the rest of his players in an attempt to get referee Pearce onside.
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