4 Mins: Early penalty for Munster from the lineout, and they advance to the 22, but Bath win the contest. They clear it into touch, but then follow up and win another Munster lineout.
Bath 0 Munster 0
2 Mins: We’re underway in Bath now, as Munster get their hands on the ball early. It’s incredibly slippy, with the rain thundering down.
Bath 0 Munster 0
There’s a very strong Munster contingent in Bath tonight for this clash. Less than 10 minutes out from kick-off at The Rec.
Here’s Conor Murray’s take on Van Graan’s reign as Munster coach.
[Johann van Graan made one early decision that proved very costly for Munster]
And more from Gerry Thornley, as he reassesses Bath coach Johann Van Grann’s tenure as Munster manager.
[Gerry Thornley: Judging Johann van Graan on his lack of trophies with Munster is too crude]
Munster’s history of upsetting the odds will leave them with no fear of English champions, writes Gerry Thornley.
[Munster seek inspiration from past European glories ahead of daunting Bath showdown]
Gerry Thornley spoke to Munster’s Tom Farrell ahead of their Champions Cup opener in Bath.
[‘The games you dream of playing’: Munster’s Tom Farrell on his roundabout way to the top]
Hello and welcome to live coverage of the Champions Cup match between Munster and Bath at The Rec, kickoff there is at 8pm.
Ciarán Kirk will join to give you live updates after the conclusion of the Leinster match against Harlequins. Leinster not having their own way there, 24-21 after 58 minutes, will be a tight finish.
It’s a tough task for Munster against a Bath team that includes stars like Scotland’s star outhalf Finn Russell. But winning would put them well on their way to a strong Champions Cup season.
Here are the lineups:
Bath: Tom de Glanville; Joe Cokanasiga, Max Ojomoh, Cameron Redpath, Henry Arundell; Finn Russell, Ben Spencer (capt); Beno Obano, Tom Dunn, Will Stuart, Quinn Roux, Charlie Ewels, Josh Bayliss, Guy Pepper, Miles Reid.
Replacements: Kepu Tuipulotu, Francois van Wyk, Thomas du Toit, Ross Molony, Ted Hill, Tom Carr-Smith, Santi Carreras, Sam Underhill.
Munster: Shane Daly; Diarmuid Kilgallen, Tom Farrell, Dan Kelly, Thaakir Abrahams; JJ Hanrahan, Craig Casey; Michael Milne, Diarmuid Barron, John Ryan; Jean Kleyn, Tom Ahern; Tadhg Beirne (capt), John Hodnett, Gavin Coombes.
Replacements: Lee Barron, Jeremy Loughman, Michael Ala’alatoa, Edwin Edogbo, Ruadhán Quinn, Ethan Coughlan, Alex Nankivell, Alex Kendellen.
