Gleeson Gets On The Scoresheet As Munster Youngsters Impress Against Dragons

Ireland Under-20 star Brian Gleeson got amongst the tries during Munster’s 45-14 BKT United Rugby Championship win over the depleted Dragons at Musgrave Park.

The Tipperary teenager came off the bench to register his first senior try for the province, whose other scores were shared out between Rory Scannell, Gavin Coombes, player-of-the-match Calvin Nash (2), Tom Ahern and Craig Casey.

Graham Rowntree’s charges had three tries on the board to lead 17-7 at half-time, with Academy out-half Tony Butler converting the first of them from Scannell.

Winger Nash had a night to remember, showing what a dangerous runner he can be when given any space. He carved open the visitors’ defence on his own in the 21st minute.

The Limerick-born flyer broke from the halfway line, getting in between two defenders, sidestepping around Ryan Woodman and tearing away to score in the left corner.

Teenage flanker Woodman scored on his first start for Dragons who also drove Aki Seiuli over right at the death, but once Ahern took care of the bonus point, Munster eased their way to a seven-try triumph.

Giving his reaction afterwards, head coach Rowntree commented: “It was challenging and we have got to get more accurate in what we are doing, but it’s great the way the young men are driving things.

“We are a long way off being a perfect version of ourselves. But it was important we came through that game, 17-7 at half-time and it was a bit sticky.

“But then we powered away in that third quarter, the young guys, particularly those coming off the bench, performed really well.”

He added: “The young players are driving the standards and they are pushing the older men. We will have to see how a few knocks come through, people like Calvin, see how they come through in the next few days as we are up to Belfast.

“He’s been good for us and he was really sharp in this one. But we will have to see how he comes through the next couple of days.”

The 21-year-old Butler made his first competitive start for Munster, spearheading an early break which ended with the Dragons unfortunately losing Angus O’Brien to injury.

Dane Blacker was introduced at scrum half with Rhodri Williams, on his 100th club appearance, moving to full-back. The Welsh outfit held out until Scannell struck in the 14th minute.

Having been released through a gap by Kiwi Alex Nankivell, the fleet-footed Nash had Scannell on his inside to finish off from 15 metres out. Butler quickly converted.

Number 8 Coombes took two defenders with him over the line in the 17th minute, and Nash then showed his pace and evasion skills to run in his superb solo effort from halfway.

Although a knock-on spoiled a promising maul, the Dragons quickly roared back through the fast-breaking Williams. Blacker deftly dangled a kick out to left for Wales Under-20 captain Woodman to collect and claim his first URC try, converted by Will Reed.

Jack Dixon’s turnover penalty gave Dai Flanagan’s side a timely lift early on the restart, yet Ahern made it over in the 47th minute following powerful carries by John Ryan and Edwin Edogbo.

Nice hands from Ahern, Edogbo and Shane Daly allowed Casey to make it 31-7 in his first appearance for the province since coming back from the Rugby World Cup.

Bradley Davies was held up short from a lineout drive, before Williams’ textbook tackle prevented Munster newcomer Sean O’Brien from scoring out wide.

Gleeson did manage to crash over in the 64th minute and replacement Jack Crowley’s inviting grubber kick saw Nash double his tally, albeit that he injured himself in the process.

Aggrieved that Nankivell’s high tackle on Ashton Hewitt only resulted in a penalty, the Dragons at least had the final say through replacement Seiuli, with Reed converting off the post.

Centurion Williams deserves a mention for leading by example for the Dragons, who were down 20 players this week due to injuries and international call-ups.

Munster had seven Academy players involved, including talented 19-year-old full-back Ben O’Connor as a debutant off the bench. Academy graduate Nash (26) shone the brightest on the night as the two-try BKT URC player-of-the-match.