Munster centre-cum-flyhalf Jack Crowley landed a late drop goal to end Munster’s semi-final hoodoo with a 16 – 15 win over Leinster at the Aviva Stadium. 

The 23-year-old went head-to-head with fellow young gun Harry Byrne in a battle that was billed as a clash between two of Jonathan Sexton’s potential successors. 

Having started at inside centre in a reshuffled backline, Crawley reverted to his favoured position of flyhalf when Scottish international Ben Healy exited with an injury. 

Looking far more assured back in his natural role, Crowley showed shades of the great Ronan O’Gara as he pulled the trigger for the drop goal. 

Whilst Crowley was rightly lauded as the star of the match, the platform was laid by his teammates, with the Munster pack, by and large getting on top of their Leinster counterparts. 

Yet, despite dominating possession and creating several scoring opportunities, Munster coughed up the ball at all the wrong moments, leaving several scores behind. 

Now with two weeks to prepare before a rematch with the reigning champions, the DHL Stormers, Munster will put an emphasis on their finishing ability in the red zone. 

Having already beaten the Cape Townians at the DHL Stadium this season, Munster will back themselves to land their first piece of silverware since 2011.