Match Centre: Munster 27-23 Northampton Saints

Munster 27-23 Northampton Saints, Thomond Park

Munster successfully overcame Jack O'Donoghue's red card as they edged out Northampton Saints 27-23 in the third round of the Heineken Champions Cup at Thomond Park on Saturday.

This is second win for Munster in three games as they are at fifth position in Pool B while Northampton are languishing at the bottom after losing all their three matches.

Munster got off to a promising start with Joey Carbery kicking a penalty goal from long range in the 2nd minute and six minutes later Gavin Coombes dived from close range. Carbery kicked the conversion as Munster raced to a 10-0 lead.

Northampton suffered an early setback as Michael Haywood was sin-binned for a late tackle on Carbery and with the numerical advantage on their side, the hosts scored their second try with Jack O'Donoghue touching down after collecting an offload from Coombes. Carbery kicked the conversion as the Irish province scored 17 unanswered points.

O'Donoghue became villain shortly as he was sent-off for making direct contact with the head of David Ribbans but despite the setback Coombes completed his second powering from close range and once again Carbery got the conversion right as they completed the opening half with a 24-0 lead.

The first response from the Saints came in the 44th minute as Saints moved the ball from right to left and into the hands of Freeman, who dotted down. Smith kicked the conversion and followed with a penalty goal in the 49th minute as the gap came down to 14 points.

The Saints made most of their numerical advantage with James Ramm executing a perfect kick chase and Smith improved it to make it 24-17. As the game entered the final 10 minutes, Smith and Jack Crowley exchanged penalties to leave the score 27-20.

The closing stage of the game saw Northampton opting for a penalty instead of a touch as Munster completed a four-point victory.

Team line up:

Munster: Haley; Nash, Frisch, Crowley, Daly; Carbery, Casey; Kilcoyne, N Scannell, Salanoa, Kleyn, Beirne, O'Donoghue, O'Mahony (capt), Coombes.

Reserves: Buckley, Wycherley, Ryan, Hodnett, Kendellen, Patterson, R Scannell, Coombes.

Northampton: Furbank; Freeman, Proctor, Hutchinson, Ramm; F Smith, Mitchell; A Waller, Haywood, Hill, Ribbans, Moon, Salakaia-Loto, Lawes, Ludlam (capt).

Reserves: R Smith, E Waller, Petch, Coles, Scott-Young, Braley, Dingwall, Skosan.