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Published 10:09 24 Jan 2021 GMT
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Leinster players, from left, Tom Clarkson, Ross Molony, Rónan Kelleher, Ed Byrne, Josh van der Flier, Andrew Porter and James Ryan celebrate at the final whistle at Thomond Park in Limerick. (Photo by Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile)[/caption]
Most of Saturday's plaudits were heading Munster's way, until Ross Byrne and Hugo Keenan combined to put Jordan Larmour away for what proved to be a late matchwinner. Two missed penalties by JJ Hanrahan proved costly as Munster again fell to their old rivals.
From a purely Six Nations perspective, though, there was a lot to be excited about, on both sides of the park. Before we move on to the three players that all but guaranteed themselves a spot in the starting XV for Wales, on February 7, a few words about Tadhg Beirne.
The Munster forward revels in playing against his former side, and Saturday night was no different. Beirne scored a try, carried well and secured three turnovers during the game, with two of them coming inches from the Munster line.
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Tadhg Beirne goes to work. (Credit: RugbyPass/Guinness PRO14)[/caption]
The roar he let out after securing that second crucial turnover, in the second half, looked to be a big, big moment until Leinster produced their magic near the end.
Beirne will be pushing the likes of Baird, Iain Henderson and Quinn Roux hard for that second row slot alongside a man that is peaking at the right time.
Heartening to see this guy looking back to his best. Made some sniping runs and was very much up-tempo in the first half. His dart off the back of a Munster lineout gained his side front-foot ball and momentum before Tadhg Beirne's try.
The second half saw him control the tempo for his side as they held onto their lead until Leinster conjured up the matchwinner. Made some really big clear-outs and tackles in defence and harried Luke McGrath at the scrum whenever he got the chance. Also secured a turnover for his side when he swotted the ball away from Garry Ringrose as he played scrumhalf at one ruck, in the second half.
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