Gloucester took a giant stride towards the Heineken Cup quarter-finals as
Henry Paul inspired victory over fierce European rivals Munster at Kingsholm.
Paul kicked 17 points and created the game's solitary try for wing James
Simpson-Daniel, thrilling a capacity crowd and undoubtedly leaving an impression
on watching England supremo Sir Clive Woodward.
The former Wigan and Bradford rugby league star is English rugby's in-form
centre and, with World Cup hero Mike Tindall injured long-term, Paul must be in
the reckoning for an England squad place ahead of the RBS Six Nations.
His goalkicking and creative midfield play proved the difference between two
hugely-committed sides, setting Gloucester up nicely for next Saturday's return
Pool Five encounter in Limerick.
Gloucester currently head the group, five points clear of Munster, but they
will recall only too painfully last season's 33-6 defeat at Thomond Park that
cost them a quarter-final place.
Munster had their moments, but only threatened fleetingly in attack, and
Gloucester's well-oiled forward machine, coupled with the inventiveness of Paul
outside, proved too heady a combination.
Like Paul, Simpson-Daniel also did his England prospects a power of good, and
Woodward will have closely monitored both performances.
Up front, Gloucester had heroes everywhere, from England prop Trevor Woodman
to openside flanker Peter Buxton, and while Munster manfully matched them in
many areas, the home side held a physical edge.
Munster wing Anthony Horgan scored a late Munster try, but fly-half Ronan
O'Gara, who had earlier kicked two penalties, missed the conversion, and hopes
of a losing bonus point disappeared into the mud.
Kingsholm was packed to the rafters an hour before kick-off, with all 11,000
tickets snapped up weeks ago, and both teams received a prolonged ovation just
by running out for the pre-match warm-up.
Gloucester went into action without suspended hooker Chris Fortey and injured
prop Phil Vickery, but there was an intriguing contest at fly-half between
Duncan McRae and Munster's Irish international O'Gara.
The last time they opposed each other, McRae received a red card and
seven-week ban when he landed a flurry of punches on O'Gara during the Lions'
2001 tour of Australia.
The opening exchanges proved predictably fast and furious, and Gloucester
established impressive momentum which culminated in Paul slotting a third-minute
penalty from 10 metres out.
Munster would have expected an early onslaught, but their defence was up to
the task and they drew level 10 minutes later when O'Gara found his range via a
post.
The tackling from both sides was ferocious, although a high hit by Munster
number eight Anthony Foley on Simpson-Daniel incurred the wrath of home
supporters.
Gloucester were the more dangerous team with ball in hand, and Munster only
just held out when centre Terry Fanolua tried to squeeze over in the corner.
The home side also made their presence felt in the set-pieces, stealing
Munster lineout possession on three occasions, but in slippery, wet conditions,
handling errors undid much of that work.
Woodman dominated opposite number John Hayes in the scrum battle, yet
Gloucester failed to make their advantage count in terms of points, and Paul was
lucky to escape detection by referee Nigel Williams when he trod all over
Munster centre Mike Mullins.
Munster spent most of their time defending, relying on the kicking skills of
half-backs O'Gara and Peter Stringer to clear danger, and Gloucester knew they
needed a score before the break, otherwise the psychological edge might have
been lost.
It did not materialise though, and Munster made a rare excursion into
Gloucester's 22 as half-time approached. Gloucester cleared their lines, but not
sufficiently well enough and they had a lucky escape when O'Gara rifled a
35-metre penalty chance wide with the half's final kick.
The rain relented after half-time, and Munster reappeared with a spring in
their step, taking the game to Gloucester for the first time.
Horgan and centre Rob Henderson both went close, but Gloucester could not
escape, and O'Gara put Munster ahead with a 45th-minute penalty.
The lead lasted barely a minute, as Gloucester struck through a superb piece
of vision by Paul.
He spotted a gap behind Munster's defensive line-up, and his cleverly placed
kick allowed Simpson-Daniel to dash through, pick up and dive over.
Paul completed a virtuoso effort by booting the touchline conversion.
And he was not finished, adding penalties in the 58th, 63rd and 70th minutes
that took Gloucester clear, leaving Munster with a mountain to climb.
Horgan managed a consolation effort, but there was no stealing Paul's thunder,
and his drop-goal two minutes from time completed a truly outstanding
contribution.
And to compound Munster's misery, Donnacha O'Callaghan was sin-binned during
injury time after Gloucester scrum-half Andy Gomarsall was taken out off the
ball.
Teams:
Gloucester: Goodridge, Garvey, Fanolua, Paul, Simpson-Daniel,
McRae, Gomarsall, Woodman, Collins, Deacon, Brown, Cornwell,
Boer, Buxton, Paramore.
Replacements: Todd for Fanolua (67), Eustace for Cornwell (77).
Not Used: Elloway, Johnstone, Roncero, Merryman, Page.
Tries: Simpson-Daniel.
Cons: Paul.
Pens: Paul 4.
Drop Goals: Paul.
Munster: Payne, Kelly, Mullins, Henderson, Horgan, O'Gara,
Stringer, Horan, F. Sheahan, J. Hayes, O'Callaghan, O'Connell,
Williams, Wallace, Foley.
Replacements: McIlwham for Horan (60).
Not Used: Blaney, Pusey, Keogh, Reddan, Holland, Staunton.
Tries: Horgan.
Pens: O'Gara 2.
Sin Bin: O'Callaghan (80).
Att: 11,000
Ref: Nigel Williams (Wales).
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