United Rugby Championship: Munster 22-20 Dragons – Irish province come from behind to end losing streak

Having lost six of their past eight matches and being dealt a blow by crashing out of the European Champions Cup at the pool stage last weekend, there was little in the opening exchanges to indicate a change in Munster’s fortunes.

While the home side started out playing with the wind, they could get little purchase early in the game and the Dragons were good value in the 13-0 lead they built within the first half hour of play.

Experienced full-back Angus O’Brien kicked a pair of penalties either side of hooker Brodie Coughlan’s effort off the back of a dangerous strike.

The Dragons were not even disconcerted after Harry Bidal’s yellow card for beating Thakir Abrahams in the air, and after the player’s return from the yellow card in the 19th minute, the visitors thought they had extended their lead further.

Scrum-half Che Hope made an excellent run-winning performance for David Richards’ forward kick, but on review, the Munster holder was ruled to have hit the knee on the ground just before the Pidal strip.

These decisions loomed larger when Jan Klien, with just 90 seconds left in the first half, slotted home Munster’s Springbok lock from close range.

There was a similar swing in momentum to start the second half when a Munster strike appeared to pressure the Dragons into the corner. With the prospect of a goal, the ball came out and Rio Dier collected before getting clear of danger.

Just three minutes later, the Dragons made the most of their escape with a neat effort from deep as Tinus de Beer chased down his kick and slotted it in before setting up Richards.

Leading 20-7 with 28 minutes remaining, the Dragons will feel their first league win outside Wales since October 2021.

But with Coombs coming off the bench as Clyne’s replacement, it was Munster who instead ended their unwanted losing streak.

The 28-year-old was perhaps fortunate that it was Holly Davidson’s on-field decision to award the try when a replay of his first score in the 57th minute looked inconclusive.

However, there was no doubt about his second goal, a similarly close-range effort with the score and subsequent conversion bringing Munster back to within a point with 15 minutes remaining.

The comeback was completed 10 minutes later as Tony Butler’s penalty kick in front of the goalposts gave Munster their first lead of the game.

Twice Munster took a corner kick in the closing stages but only one effort was kicked while the second of a brilliant 50:22 only resulted in a line out that saw them hold over the goal line.

Instead, four points will be their reward from a night in which Clayton McMillan’s side once again failed to impress.