Never quit on Munster Rugby. While the province has endured more downs than ups over the past decade, belief is deep in Munster's DNA. Down 28-9 tonight, in one of the most difficult venues in European rugby, Munster found a way to beat Clermont Auvergne and win 39-31. The result is as inspiring as it was improbable. The men in red were being buried by all and sundry on social media during a dreary first half only to rise like Lazarus and storm to a victory that ranks alongside all of their famous European wins.
It was a nicely-worked try by fullback Mike Haley that got Munster back within touching distance of Clermont.
That is much more like it from @Munsterrugby 🔴
So crisp off the line-out and Mike Haley goes ever to finish the move!#HeinekenChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/Pr7MdWvQEq— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) December 19, 2020
JJ Hanrahan scored 24 points along the way and Josh Wycherley was a force to be reckoned with in his first European start. It was a famous all-around team performance, but Munster were driven on by Man of the Match CJ Stander. Stander scored the try that sent Munster past Clermont. He was also caught with a huge grin on his face just as Munster won a late penalty in a maul.
25th min: Clermont 28-9 Munster
70th min: Clermont 31-32 Munster
CJ Stander with a massive try to complete an epic comeback AWAY to Clermont!
It's just so @Munsterrugby 🔴#HeinekenChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/hUibgWj1Yp— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) December 19, 2020
CJ Stander smiling in the maul because he knows @Munsterrugby are about to get a penalty is too good 😂#HeinekenChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/aFM6KmPyQ0
— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) December 19, 2020
My Picture of the night 😄
#ASMvMUN #SUAF @CJStander pic.twitter.com/q3RvEKBZC9— Daithí Ó'S (@hakaman) December 19, 2020
Four tries conceded in 25 minutes.
28-9 down at half-time.
AWAY to Clermont...
Stayed in it. Shifted the momentum. Won by 8️⃣ points!
Never underestimate the size of @Munsterrugby hearts 👊 pic.twitter.com/u3bn4OuxMy— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) December 19, 2020
Not surprisingly, Munster fans were ecstatic after the fulltime whistle, not just about this result, but what it says about the up-and-coming players at Thomond Park.
Munster's biggest ever comeback to win in the @ChampionsCup, turning around a 19 point deficit, beating the 16 point gap they overturned to win at Sale in 2014.
— Stuart Farmer (@Stu_Farmer) December 19, 2020
Someone give me Josh Wycherley's address so I can send him a year's supply of Beamish.#CLEvMUN
— The Loose Head (@TheLooseH) December 19, 2020
FULL-TIME: Clermont 31-39 Munster
What a comeback, what a WIN!
From 28-9 down, we have beaten Clermont 39-31 in the Stade Marcel-Michelin 🥳 🥳 🥳
24 points off the tee from @JJHanrahan in a magnificent team performance 💥💥💥#ASMvMUN #SUAF 🔴— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) December 19, 2020
Screengrab by Paul Collins
