A lot of people doubted Duncan Williams heading in the first weekend of this year’s Champions Cup.
The scrum half was parachuted into the starting 15 for the crunch game against Exeter this week after Alby Mathewson was ruled out yesterday through injury.
The 32-year-old is Munster’s third choice number nine and not many gave them a hope going into a game against an in form Exeter side.
As expected the game turned into a dog-fight.
Munster were behind for most of it, but showed a real fighting spirit to battle back and earn a 10-10 draw, which will have them going home somewhat happy heading into next week’s clash with Gloucester at Thomond Park.
It could have ended oh so badly for the men in red though had it not been for third choice scrum half, Williams.
A lot of pressure lay on the 32-year-old’s shoulders but he really stepped up today for his side. His distribution was clean, he worked well alongside Carbery, and this tackle with 20 minutes to go absolutely saved Munster’s skin.
With Munster trailing 10-3 and under serious pressure, it was Williams who stepped up and made what turned out to be a momentum shifting tackle deep in his own half.
As a result of his tackle, Munster were able to turn the ball over and take it up the field and level the game.
In what was a real war of attrition, no side was able to get the winning score, and both will march on to games next week knowing that they will need to pick up a win, in what is probably going to be a very very tight group.
For Munster, they may have bitten your hand off for a losing bonus point beforehand. One suspects they will be going home happy after drawing with one of the best sides English rugby has to offer.
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