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Anatomy of a try - Quick start - Scarlets v Munster


The first Munster try started from the Scarlets kick off and shows how Ben Healy and Dan Goggin were both instrumental in getting Munster access to the Scarlets 22 to allow the score.


First off we have a shaky start from Munster as they receive the kick off from Scarlets. Scarlets go deep and Munster fail to deal with it. Healy, adapts on the fly, takes control and uses his massive boot to gain nearly 40m's.


This still gives the Scarlets a solid attacking platform inside the Munster half with the lineout throw. They get nice clean ball off the top and look to launch Jonathan Davies down the middle. Munster however have good line speed and spacing with Healy, Goggin and Coombes all rushing up in a line to shut down the space. Goggin makes a great read to ignore the hard line of Williams on the inside and the loop of Costelow out the back to focus on Davies and smash him in the tackle, which forces the knock and regains possession for Munster.


The 50:22 which gets Munster into the 22 has been over analysed elsewhere so I don't intend to go into too much detail here on it. While Healy is once again, and rightly so, getting the plaudits for the kick watch how it is the delaying of the pass from Cronin and the hard decoy line from Goggin which pulls the full back over to the near side and draws Stef Evans up which gives Healy the chance to kick in behind.

So Munster through some good work, mainly from Healy and Googin, have found an entry point into the Scarlets 22 and have the opportunity to launch something from the lineout.


Munster go with a 5+1 lineout with Cloete as the scrum. Wycherley calls the lineout to the back to himself and with movement and timing Munster are able to secure the ball despite a good counter jump from the Scarlets. However the ball is not secured cleanly and I believe the planned move breaks down and Munster are forced to adapt. Based on the positions of Cronin and O'Sullivan I believe the planned move was quick ball to Cronin coming in on the blind with JOS on the inside as a decoy to hold the runners, Goggin and Coombes to offer the crash ball but watch how Ben Healy was slipping round the back of Goggin to take the ball deeper from Cronin and look to attack Scarlets out wide.


You can see Healy dropping deeper at the start of this clip below. As the lineout ball wasn't secured at the back of the maul cleanly Cloete is forced to adapt as his options have now either stopped running or overshot their mark. The Scarlets get a good counter push on in the maul, forcing Munster backwards and Cloete makes the decision to break off and carry and carry into the Scarlets defensive line which is well set.

Cloete takes aim at Ken Owens and uses his strength to stay on his feet and drive forward until support arrives. Cronin is directing his forwards to fold around to the open side to give him carry options. Cronin picks up and takes a few steps to see what the defensive line is doing before popping to Tom Ahern. Ahern is caught behind the gain by Kalamafoni but uses his footwork and strength to make 4 or 5 metres post contact but its slow ball. The Munster forwards continue to fold around the openside and Archer looks to take static ruck ball from Cronin.

Again Kalamafoni makes the tackle but Archer has the strength to slide past him and Samson Lee and generate quick ruck ball for Munster, which proves to be vital in scoring the try.

Archer reset play, generates quick ruck ball for Cronin who goes back against the grain and Jack O'Sullivan spots that as Costelow comes round he fills the gap between the B and C defender leaving a spacing gap between A and B meaning his diagonal run from outside to in splitting the space between Rob Evans and Ken Owens to waltz in virtually untouched.


Through some clever designed plays, some good power and footwork in their carrying and using the skill sets of their 10 and 12 Munster managed to go from a messed up kick off to scoring a try in just over 3 minutes.

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