Munster are waiting nervously for news on Francis Saili’s bruised ribs ahead of Saturday’s Pro12 game at home to Scarlets, when participation in next season’s Champions Cup will be on the line.
Saili’s face was a jumble of emotions after he was driven over the Edinburgh line in the 77th minute on Friday — delight at having scored the try, which not only clinched victory but also secured Munster a four-try bonus while denying Edinburgh a losing bonus, mixed with acute physical pain.
The replay suggested he’d been a victim of friendly fire. James Cronin was the most likely culprit, driving his left shoulder into Saili’s ribs to force him over the line. Here was an appropriate metaphor for Munster’s performance — getting the right result despite an capacity for self-harm.
Anthony Foley’s voice carried the hint of a quiver as he began his post-match TV interview with former teammate, Marcus Horan. It was only natural if his emotions were a little raw at the end of what had been an impossible week for him.
Up until Monday, Foley had handled a difficult situation with good grace, providing reasoned and relatively upbeat answers to questions about the radical change in Munster’s command structure next season.
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But then he was hung out to dry in Limerick, sent into a press conference to try and boost publicity for the Edinburgh game when the assembled hacks had already been informed that Garrett Fitzgerald would be appearing after Foley to confirm Rassie Erasmus’s appointment as director of rugby.
Was it not obvious that Foley would be asked awkward questions about an appointment that undermines his position? His discomfort came through in his replies and it’s hard to see how he can retain much appetite for the job.
At least Friday’s result went a long way to avoiding his worst possible legacy — Munster’s first season without any involvement in top European competition. That looked probable with 15 minutes remaining, when Sam Hidalgo-Clyne reduced Munster’s lead to a single point.
This was when Foley needed his senior players to take control. Instead, Conor Murray sliced a penalty kick to touch and 20 seconds later, Simon Zebo put the ball out on the full — two awful errors. In the end, it was Johnny Holland, Foley’s rookie fly-half, who took the game by the scruff of the neck. A chip and chase inside his own half looked highly risky but Holland made it into an okay decision by chasing hard and forcing the turnover.
Off his next possession, Holland dared to dart and again, Munster got the decision from Ian Davies as Matt Scott failed to roll away. It was Holland, also, who decided to knock the penalty into the corner, which paid a big dividend.
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“I just said go to the corner straight away,” Holland said. “I know there was only a point in it but at least you’re in the right area of the pitch and I was confident in the maul anyway so we were happy with that.”
Munster will be even happier — or maybe just plain relieved — if they close the deal on Saturday.