Defending European champions Munster survived a major scare on Friday when unheralded French side Montauban came within three minutes of a famous victory in the opening match of the 2008-2009 tournament.
Munster were trailing 16-17 when Montauban’s Romanian scrum-half Petre Mitu kicked the fourth of his night’s penalties.
But moments later, Ireland international fly-half Ronan O’Gara saw his fourth penalty sail over the posts after Montauban were penalized for an infringement at the scrum.
PHOTO: AFP
Despite the 19-17 victory, Munster know that even tougher tasks lie ahead in Pool 1, which also features Sale and Clermont.
The French side had trailed 10-3 at the interval.
Mitu’s sixth minute penalty had given them the lead, before O’Gara drew the Irish side level with a 32nd minute reply.
Substitute center Barry Murphy crossed for a try three minutes before the break to hand the Irish side a halftime lead.
Murphy, on moments earlier for Rua Tipoki, took the ball on the right wing following good passing by Peter Stringer, O’Gara and Doug Howlett, before cutting inside to beat the defense. O’Gara added the conversion, although it had been an opening spell where Munster had committed a series of handling errors.
Mitu and O’Gara exchanged early second half penalties, before the little Romanian cut the lead to four points.
The visitors then stunned the home crowd with a try after 56 minutes when Munster flanker Alan Quinlan had a pass intercepted and Montauban winger Sylvan Jonnet won the race to the line to make the score 14-13.
Mitu missed the conversion, while O’Gara saw a penalty strike the post.
The Irish stand-off did find his range on 65 minutes to edge the holders ahead again, before Mitu put the away side within sight of a stunning win.
But with just three minutes left, the Irish side were awarded another penalty which O’Gara slotted home.
In Pool 3, Perpignan got their campaign off to a winning start, beating Treviso of Italy 27-16.
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