Munster may have beaten Harlequins 21-7 yesterday in Thomond Park, but it was not necessarily smiles all-round, particularly for Ben Healy.

Ex-Munster and Ireland player Alan Quinlan joined Monday’s OTB AM to give his view on the main talking points from this weekend’s European action.

During the provinces opening Champions Cup game, there were a number of questionable late tackles from Harlequins, particularly on replacement out-half Ben Healy, who ultimately left the field injured as a result.

Ben Healy

Speaking after the game, Munster boss Johann van Graan said it was 'quite clearly a tactic' and Quinlan agreed.

“I think he’s right to be angry. Ben Healy looked uncomfortable after the two hits. I think the first one from (Alex) Dombrandt was pretty cynical and pretty obvious.

"The second one, Joe Marler’s one, didn’t seem to [have] as much force, but he looked very unsettled after that as well.”

6 May 2011; Alan Quinlan, Munster. Celtic League, Munster v Connacht, Thomond Park, Limerick. Picture credit: Matt Browne / SPORTSFILE

Overall Quinlan was not impressed by the representation the English side gave of themselves. “Harlequins' discipline was shocking, the amount of penalties they gave away. They had their entire back row in the bin throughout the game, they all got sin-binned.”

“But those two cynical hits I think were stupid, unnecessary. They’re clearly trying to target a young player coming on the field who kicked a brilliant penalty shortly after coming on. So he’s right to be frustrated and angry over that, Johann van Graan.”

13 December 2020; Ben Healy of Munster is tackled by Will Evans of Harlequins during the Heineken Champions Cup Pool B Round 1 match between Munster and Harlequins at Thomond Park in Limerick. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

Reflecting on the game as a whole, Quinlan was unsure as to how the outcome, a victory but no bonus-point, portrays Munster’s performance.

“In an ideal situation you would want to get bonus-point wins at home, but Harlequins are a decent side. They made it difficult for Munster. I suppose they weren’t as clinical as they needed to be and they never really got their attack going the way they would have liked to.

“But Harlequins made it very, very difficult for Munster. So, it’s kind of hard to judge were Munster poor or did [the opposition] make it really difficult?

"A little bit of both, but I think they will be disappointed that they didn’t get a bit of momentum and drive and more flow to their game. They had chances and opportunities but never really for a prolonged period.”

Alan Quinlan Joined Eoin Sheahan and Nathan Murphy on Monday's OTB AM

Written by Catherine Murphy

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