Premiership leaders Gloucester made a stunning start to their Heineken Cup
campaign by destroying last season's beaten European finalists Munster at a
sold-out Kingsholm.
Gloucester produced such a rampant performance that on this evidence, they
must be considered major contenders to lift the trophy in Dublin next May.
Munster, despite boasting an outstanding Heineken Cup pedigree after reaching
two of the last three European finals, had no answer.
Gloucester scored four tries, two from flanker Jake Boer and one apiece by
wing Marcel Garvey and fly-half Ludovic Mercier.
Mercier also kicked 15 points, and all that Munster could gain in consolation
was an injury time Peter Stringer try and three penalties and a conversion from
Ronan O'Gara.
Rarely have Munster been so outplayed in European competition, and there is no
doubt that Gloucester's scintillating display will send warning signals flashing
around Europe.
They proved that their Premiership form - five wins and a draw from six start
- was no fluke as they pulled away to score 19 unanswered second half points
after leading 16-9 at the break.
Territorially, Gloucester accommodated the opening exchanges but the
combination of wasteful finishing and stern Munster defence meant that they had
to wait 21 minutes before opening their account.
Mercier booted them into a 3-0 advantage, and then added another penalty after
O'Gara had slotted his opening strike.
Seven minutes before the break though, Gloucester struck a telling blow with a
try that came from nothing.
Mercier kicked the ball speculatively out of his own defence, but speed
merchant Garvey reacted in true predator's fashion to leave the defence
stranded.
Garvey kicked off and then got to the ball first for a spectacular try that
Mercier converted with assistance off the post.
Munster lost their Lions centre Rob Henderson with an injury, but they were
still in contention at half time through two further O'Gara penalties to one by
Mercier.
The second period was a completely different story though, as Gloucester,
inspired by outstanding England scrum-half Andy Gomarsall, stepped up a gear.
After continuing to defend impressively, Munster finally saw their resistance
broken when Boer and Mercier crossed the tries during a four-minute spell that
put Gloucester out of sight.
There was still time for Boer to add his second touchdown and send the vast
majority of a capacity 11,000 crowd home happy.
Given that there is an Italian club in Pool Two, both Gloucester and Munster
should reach the last eight, but it is Gloucester who have every reason to feel
satisfied tonight having firmly established themselves as potential Heineken Cup
winners.
Teams:
Gloucester: Paul, Garvey, Fanolua, Todd, Beim, Mercier,
Gomarsall, Woodman, Azam, Vickery, Eustace, Cornwell, Boer,
Buxton, Forrester.
Not Used: Amor, Simpson-Daniel, Stuart-Smith, Fidler, Fortey,
Roncero, Pearce.
Tries: Garvey, Boer 2, Mercier.
Cons: Mercier 3.
Pens: Mercier 3.
Munster: Staunton, Kelly, Mullins,
Henderson, Lawlor, O'Gara,
Stringer, Horan, Sheahan, Hayes, Galwey, M. O'Driscoll,
Williams, Quinlan, Foley.
Not Used: Kerr, Blaney, Halvey, Leamy, Prendergast, Holland,
Crotty.
Tries: Stringer.
Cons: O'Gara.
Pens: O'Gara 3.
Sin Bin: Sheahan (72).
Att: 11,600
Ref: Joel Dume (France).
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