Cardiff beat Munster with thrilling comeback

Rugby World Cup

Cardiff (12) 26

Trys: Sheedy 2, Thomas, Millard, Penalty try, and Mulder Cons:

Munster (14) 21

Cardiff kept their Rugby World Cup play-off hopes alive with a thrilling comeback win over Munster.

The Welsh side won at Arms Park with a bonus-point win, the first time since 2022 when they had only previously defeated Irish opponents.

Calvin Nash, Mike Haley, and Tom Farrell scored tries early in the second half to give Munster a 21-12 lead.

With only two games left, Cardiff moved up to fifth thanks to a penalty try led by Gabriel Hamer-Webb, Harri Millard, and Johan Mulder.

After Craig Casey and Nash, among the seven changes to the Bulls’ opening score, combined for the opening score, Munster led 14-12 in the first half.

Hamer-Webb and Faletau scored two tries in four minutes as they made their most of their potential final home debut at Arms Park, but lock Fineen Wyvherley’s yellow card opened the door to another try.

For his fourth try in two games, Hamer-Webb scored through a clever angle from Liam Belcher and quick hands from Ben Thomas.

Munster scored two tries on either side of halftime, which they have won their previous ten games against Welsh opponents.

Haley bucked over to regain the lead, which was extended by Crowley’s third conversion and Farrell’s clever burst to 21-12.

However, when flanker Jack O’Donoghue was sin-binned for conceding a penalty try, indiscipline once more undid their hard work within minutes.

Callum Sheedy and Thomas’ tactical kicking kept Munster repeatedly pinned, which also helped turn the tide.

After a clever Thomas boot, scrum-half Mulder snuck over the try that would prove decisive.

Replacements: Tinus de Beer, Corey Domachowski, Rhys Litterick, Alun Lawrence, Ben Donnell, Aled Davies, and Evan Lloyd.

Munster: Mike Haley, Calvin Nash, Tom Farrell, Alex Nankivell, Thaakir Abrahams, Craig Casey, Michael Milne, Niall Scannell, John Ryan, Fineen Wycherley, Tadhg Beirne (capt), Alex Kendellen, and Gavin Coombes.

Seán O’Brien, Mark Donnelly, Ronan Foxe, Jean Kleyn, Ruadhán Quinn, Paddy Patterson, Tony Butler, and Diarmuid Barron are the replacements.

Sin-bin: Wycherley (23), O’Donoghue (54)

Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR) as the referee

Mike English and Aaron Parry (WRU) serve as assistant referees.