What a cracking game it has been in Thomond Park.
So often when we have interprovincial derbies in the PRO 12, teams are not at full strength due to either the IRFU Player Welfare Programme or impending European Cup fixtures.
On this occasion, Ulster are desperate to get back into the top four and have fielded a full strength side as a result.
Munster, rather surprisingly, named their best side just one week out from their semi-final with Saracens.
Other teams aren't following suit https://t.co/0hB60NIzAv
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) April 14, 2017
Thankfully this has led to a highly competitive and often overly physical match in Limerick with very little to separate the sides.
Ulster got off to the best possible start when they mauled over from close range with Ireland captain Rory Best touching down.
Paddy Jackson converted but Munster did very well to respond soon after.
Munster spread the ball wide in midfield and the ball fell to Peter O’Mahony.
The Cork man powered through a gap before passing the ball of to Keith Earls.
Earls made some serious ground before giving the ball back to O’Mahony.
Angus Lloyd, who was a late replacement for Duncan Williams, received the ball and touched down after some late, despairing tackles from the Ulster defence.
Lovely score from @Munsterrugby and good reaction after strong @UlsterRugby start. 7-7 #MUNvULS pic.twitter.com/hZf9ghsdPH
— Seán McMahon (@Sean_McMahon89) April 15, 2017
On closer inspection, the initial break by O’Mahony was down to a clever dummy by the 27-year-old.
One which Charles Piutau will not want to see again!
.@peterom6 selling @CPiutau this dummy 👌#MUNvULS pic.twitter.com/5uaRouphvT
— Seán McMahon (@Sean_McMahon89) April 15, 2017
O’Mahony is in some serious competition to secure one of the back-row spots for the Lions but hopefully this little display of skill will remind Warren Gatland that the Munster captain can offer a lot more than just set-piece dominance.
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