Murray Kinsella reports from Edinburgh

WITH A TRY in each half, Keith Earls proved to be the difference between Munster and Edinburgh yesterday in Murrayfield as Johann van Graan’s side advanced into the Champions Cup semi-finals in thrilling fashion.

Munster celebrate Earls’ second try. Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO

The might of Saracens awaits in that final-four tie in Coventry in three weekends’ time but for now, Munster can revel in reaching this stage of the European competition for the 14th time.

31-year-old Earls’ clinical finishing ability is one of the prime reasons the southern province march on, as he took his two chances in ruthless fashion.

“He’s still got it, the Moyross train!” joked Chris Farrell, who provided the assist for Earls’ second score in the 71st minute.

That winning try was a wonderful move from Munster, their most incisive attacking thrust of the game as Conor Murray arced right off a ruck and offloaded to Rory Scannell, who screened a pass behind Tyler Bleyendaal to Farrell, who pulled off an impressive catch-pass to free Earls for a sharp finish.

“He’s an outstanding player,” said Farrell. “We’re not doing him justice by not getting him into the game earlier and not getting him those one-on-ones that he deserves.

“There’s no reason we shouldn’t be getting him a bit more space because it will benefit us in the long run. He’s a special player and he’s always going to get us a few little moments where we look back on them as being important.”

Earls’ first try came in the 19th minute as Munster took advantage of their opening visit to the Edinburgh 22 to the tune of seven points.

Edinburgh scrum-half Henry Pyrgos slapped the ball out of Murray’s hands as the Munster halfback attempted to play it away from the base of a five-metre scrum, resulting in a penalty for the Irish side.

The ball bobbled loose and, as Murray wrestled Pyrgos to the ground in response, Earls reacted sharpest to gather it in, quick-tap and step to the left of Edinburgh number eight Bill Mata as he attempted to rescue the situation.

Conor Murray celebrates Munster’s win. Source: Gary Carr/INPHO

With Earls also contributing some important tackles and decisions in defence, as well as claiming a handful of high balls that came his way, it was another influential performance from a key man in this team.

“Your experienced players, your world-class players, need to step up on the big days and I thought Keith was excellent today, as was Conor, Pete [O’Mahony] and CJ [Stander],” said Munster head coach Johann van Graan.

“I thought Chris Farrell had an excellent game, someone like Niall Scannell that doesn’t get a lot of praise for the set-piece, that was a real battle. It was a real gritty performance from our side until the last play.”