Ollie Lawrence and Jaco Coetzee marked their return from long-term injuries as Bath Rugby rallied late to draw 28-28 with Munster in a gripping pre-season friendly held in Cork on Friday night.
Facing a daunting 28-7 deficit with only five minutes left on the clock, Bath delivered a stunning comeback with three tries in rapid succession to level the match. Lawrence, returning from a seven-month Achilles injury injury sustained while playing for England, played a pivotal role in igniting the comeback. He made a sharp break on the outside before offloading to Louie Hennessey, who set up Henry Arundell for his third try of the pre-season, following his impressive brace in last weekend’s win over Glasgow Warriors.
Francois van Wyk then touched down before summer signing Bernard van der Linde continued his strong pre-season form with a spectacular solo try, showcasing his impressive pace and agility.
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Ciaran Donoghue converted all three tries, while Miles Reid had contributed an earlier score to ensure the match ended in a share of the spoils.
Despite the wet and challenging conditions early on, Munster took an early lead with winger Andrew Smith diving over in the corner, expertly converted by JJ Hanrahan. A penalty try followed as Munster’s scrum dominated, putting Bath under pressure.
Bath managed to respond when Miles Reid crossed the line, but Munster quickly reasserted their dominance with tries from Michael Milne and Mike Haley, the latter scoring under the posts to stretch Munster’s lead.
However, Bath’s youthful squad showed resilience and determination to fight back, delivering a pulsating finale to salvage the draw.
Bath will now turn their focus to their first competitive match of the season next Saturday at the Recreation Ground, when they host Exeter Chiefs in the PREM Rugby Cup.
Munster Starting XV included players like Shane Daly, Andrew Smith, JJ Hanrahan, and captain Niall Scannell, while their replacements featured talents such as Mike Haley, Craig Casey, and Michael Milne.
Bath’s starting lineup showcased promising talent with veterans and returning stars such as Scott Kirk, Jasper Spandler, Ewan Richards (captain), and the returning duo of Ollie Lawrence and Jaco Coetzee among their replacements, signaling exciting prospects for the season ahead.