After a mixed display against Saracens, it was the ideal time for Crowley to produce a superb effort despite Munster’s defeat as the fly-half excelled throughout. He was excellent off the tee but it was his direction and organisation in attack which was most impressive as the playmaker sent a message to Ireland’s interim boss Simon Easterby
Alongside Conor Murray, they put the Saints’ defence under real duress as they managed to pick holes in the opposition’s rearguard. Murray’s decision-making was also superb, as evidenced by his kick for Calvin Nash’s score, while he was accurate in pretty much every facet.
Although Leinster are the spine of the Ireland team, their half-backs for the England game could well be the Munster duo on the evidence of this performance.
Tadhg Beirne
Speaking of Ireland, the back-five forward was once again in inspirational form, especially in the first half. Beirne was an absolute menace in the opening period and was key to Munster moving into a 10-point lead heading into the interval.
Beirne is guaranteed to be in the Ireland 23 but it just depends where that is, whether it is at lock, back-row or as an impact replacement off the bench. For us, he simply has to start for Simon Easterby’s men, but you never know when there is such a strong preference for Leinster players.
Tarek Haffar and Curtis Langdon
Much of the attention centres around the Northampton playmakers – Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith – but it was the supposed lesser lights that really turned this game around for the Saints. These two front-rowers were absolutely magnificent, producing tireless efforts to secure top spot for the hosts.
They were solid in the set-piece but it was in the loose which set them apart. Haffar put in a stellar 60-minute shift while Langdon went the distance and never seemed to get tired. Both are highly rated and on the cusp of the England set-up. Although the duo missed out on the Six Nations, they will be impossible to ignore if they continue to put in performances like that.
Calvin Nash
The wing played the entirety of the Six Nations but missed out on the Autumn Nations Series due to Mack Hansen’s return. However, he could well reclaim his place on this display after a fine showing at Franklin’s Gardens.
Nash showed his predatory instincts by touching down twice, but it was his all-round game which was particularly impressive as he put himself in the frame for the opening match of the competition against England.
Tom Seabrook
Filling in for the absent Ollie Sleightholme, the former Gloucester wing took his opportunity with a stunning hat-trick. Seabrook’s first was simple enough, with the hard work done by his team-mates, but his other two finishes were excellent.
The flyer’s second was superbly taken as he finished well despite being under pressure but it was the hat-trick score which was the standout. Seabrook took a superb line, easily rounded Mike Haley and crossed the whitewash unopposed. Outstanding.
Henry Pollock
The hype train continues to steam ahead. Although the back-rower only played the final quarter, he made a couple of key interventions which arguably won them the game.
The first came as Paddy Patterson surged towards the line, with the scrum-half looking odds-on to score, but Pollock had other ideas. Somehow he managed to bring him down just short of the line and then get back to his feet to counter-ruck. Although Munster managed to hold onto the ball and did score two minutes later, that last-ditch effort wasted valuable time.
It then became even more important when Crowley broke free from the restart and took play into the Saints half. With the Irish province needing just three points to win, Northampton needed someone to step up and, of course, it came via Pollock, who won the turnover and ended the game. The Six Nations came slightly too soon for him, but the back-rower will surely make his Test debut in the summer.
Losers
Alex Coles
With the Six Nations squads named, everyone will be on injury watch and unfortunately, the back five forward went off with a nasty-looking arm injury. Coles has been consistently excellent for the Saints over the past 18 months, deservedly being called into the England squad, but his tournament could unfortunately be over before it began.
Mike Haley
A player who many have wanted to see in the Ireland squad but, when Seabrook easily rounded him for pace, it was not a good look. There were some good carries from the full-back but he didn’t necessarily command the game aerially, while that lack of pace will only be exposed more at the highest level.
Gavin Coombes
It wasn’t solely responsible for his yellow card as Munster were on a team warning and under pressure, but you still have to be accurate and execute. If the Irish province had got to the half-time interval 15-5 in front, you sensed that they would have built on that and won the game, but the yellow card arguably changed the game.
Alex Mitchell
Perhaps a bit harsh but the scrum-half but there were just a few too many errors, especially in the first half. Seeing him stroll back for Nash’s try was pretty unforgivable, while his charged down kick rather summed up the playmaker’s erratic display in the opening period.
Mitchell was much better in the second period with him and Fin Smith finding their rhythm to an extent, but Steve Borthwick would have liked to have seen more ahead of the Six Nations. He will be England’s number one for the upcoming tournament, but there need to be an improvement.
Nathan Doak
Conor Murray may not have too many years left at the top level but, with him performing at the level he currently is, it is difficult for those who are potentially next in line. Caolin Blade was given the nod as the third-choice scrum-half with Craig Casey out and Doak will no doubt also hope to force his way in at the point. However, Murray is still going strong at the age of 35.
