Gritty Leinster hold off Munster in Thomond arm-wrestle

Updated / Saturday, 27 Dec 2025 22:13 Josh van der Flier scored Leinster's only try Neil Treacy By Neil Treacy in Thomond Park RTÉ Sport Journalist Leinster gained revenge for their Croke Park humbling, pinning Munster down in a classic Interpro arm-wrestle at Thomond Park. Low on scores but high on physicality, defence was to the fore on a freezing Limerick night, but it didn't take away from a thoroughly engaging derby in front of a 26,000 sellout crowd. It was one try apiece in Leinster's 13-8 victory; Josh van der Flier’s early score off a rampaging maul gave Leinster a 7-0 half time lead, before Harry Byrne and Jack Crowley swapped some penalties in the third quarter, extending the Leinster lead to 13-3. Dan Kelly’s score set up a huge finale as Munster dominated the final quarter, although Crowley’s missed conversion was costly as Munster chased down a try rather than a three-pointer to secure a draw, but they couldn’t break down a relentless Leinster defence any more, as Leo Cullen’s side held on for a precious win. The defending champions are yet to hit their stride in attack, and they again struggled to pull apart a committed Munster effort, but seasons have been turned around by smaller wins than this, a victory that was earned through grit and determination. A losing bonus-point is all Munster could take from the game, but there will be plenty for Clayton McMillan to take from the tie, although his side will likely need to be rotated further for next week’s trip to Ulster. As expected, the game started at a ferocious pace, two quick penalties against Munster allowing Leinster an early crack at their hosts’ 22, but after a lengthy series of phases, Van der Flier was held up in possession by Gavin Coombes and Edwin Edogbo to end the attack. Or so it seemed. From the resulting scrum, a Leinster penalty gave them a second chance at points, and a piercing maul allowed Van der Flier (above) break for the line and score, making up for his earlier error, as Leinster took a 7-0 lead. Munster had an immediate chance to hit back after they won a breakdown penalty off Rieko Ioane from the restart, which was brought forward 10 metres after some Leinster dissent, but Max Deegan broke up the maul to relieve the pressure. Four minutes later, another chance was let go by the home side, as Crowley saw his kick to touch from a penalty sail out over the in-goal area, to the relief of the Leinster defence. The early attacking energy from both sides faded as the half wore on, but the intensity only grew as defence on both sides took over. Shane Daly’s tackle on Ciarán Frawley shook the goalposts and led to a turnover and a Munster attack on the 22, but it was met with a determined Leinster defensive line, which sent them backwards and eventually earned breakdown penalty. As the physicality grew, so...

Preview: ~500 words