Cardiff take massive step towards play-offs with stirring win over Munster
Cardiff took a massive step towards the United Rugby Championship play-offs with a brilliant 26-21 bonus point win over Munster at the Arms Park.
Tries from Gabriel Hamer-Webb, Harri Millard and Johan Mulder ensured the Blue and Blacks moved up the URC table as they banished some Irish ghosts.
Munster had won all 10 of their previous matches against Welsh opposition, while Cardiff hadn't beaten an Irish side at the Arms Park since September 2022.
However, by putting an end to all that, Matt Sherratt's side now head into their final two matches in South Africa firmly in contention to finish in the top eight.
There was also the added emotion of the last home game of the season. While not all of Cardiff's departures have been confirmed yet, it was a stirring performance to end their season at the Arms Park.
Cardiff had appeared to make the perfect start, after Danny Southworth put scrum-half Mulder over for the opening score. However, after a TMO intervention, the try was chalked off for a forward pass.
There would be no such luck when Munster got into scoring range, with Craig Casey's floated pass to Calvin Nash unlocking the Cardiff rearguard after some pressure from the away side.
The hosts responded well, with a period of pressure seeing Keiron Assiratti narrowly denied a maul try before Munster second-row Fineen Wycherley was sin-binned for a deliberate knock-on.
Cardiff took advantage of the numerical mismatch, with slick handling from Cardiff's midfield allowing Hamer-Webb to grab his fourth try in two weeks.
And then, the wing was involved again, latching onto Ben Thomas' crossfield kick before offloading to Taulupe Faletau. The superlative No. 8 raced away before setting up Millard for his eighth try of the season.
Mike Haley would cross just before half-time to restore Munster's lead at the break.
The away side looked just as dangerous after the break. A period of sustained pressure saw outside centre Tom Farrell slice through to score.
However, a powerful driving maul saw Liam Belcher denied illegally from close range. Flanker Jack O'Donoghue was sent to the sin-bin as Cardiff were awarded the penalty try.
Then, after strong carries from Josh Adams and Cam Winnett, Mulder sniped over to give Cardiff the lead.
Sheedy had a chance to extend the lead with a penalty, but his effort off the tee hit the post.
However, it ultimately didn't matter as resolute defence allowed them to hold on in front of a raucous home crowd long after the clock had gone red.
Cardiff: Cam Winnett; Josh Adams, Harri Millard, Ben Thomas, Gabriel Hamer-Webb; Callum Sheedy, Johan Mulder; Danny Southworth, Liam Belcher (capt), Keiron Assiratti, Josh McNally, Teddy Williams, James Botham, Thomas Young, Taulupe Faletau.
Replacements: Evan Lloyd, Corey Domachowski, Rhys Litterick, Rory Thornton, Alun Lawrence, Ben Donnell, Aled Davies, Tinus de Beer.
Munster: Mike Haley; Calvin Nash, Tom Farrell, Alex Nankivell, Thaakir Abrahams; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey; Michael Milne, Niall Scannell, John Ryan, Fineen Wycherley, Tadhg Beirne (capt), Jack O'Donoghue, Alex Kendellen, Gavin Coombes.
Replacements: Diarmuid Barron, Mark Donnelly, Ronan Foxe, Jean Kleyn, Ruadhán Quinn, Paddy Patterson, Tony Butler, Seán O'Brien.
Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR)
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