Donnacha Ryan with Keith Earls after the game

Ryan influence rubs off on Racing at the wrong time for Munster

Last week, we posed the question of what emotions Nenagh's Donnacha Ryan would go through when he lined up against the red of Munster for the first time.

Well, we got our answer in unsurprising fashion as he went about his business in typically professional style, ultimately producing the crucial play of the game to deny Munster victory and set Racing 92 up for the win that kept their qualification hopes alive for the quarter finals of the European Champions Cup.

It was bitter sweet seeing Munster lose out on what would have been a crucial victory in their attempt to secure a home quarter final and when Conor Murray landed a monster penalty from inside his own half with six minutes remaining to take the lead, the two-time champions looked set for victory.

But then up stepped Donnacha Ryan, who if he hadn't already endeared himself to his new teammates and fans at Racing, did so by claiming the restart which led to the penalty which Maxime Machenaud converted to nudge the home side back in front for the final time as they went onto win 34-30, with Munster at least claiming a losing bonus-point to stay top of the group.

More on page 70 of this weeks Guardian