Here's hoping we see another drop of magic

IT'S Northampton against Munster in Europe today and for me that can only mean one thing, revisiting one more time that incredible drop goal from Ronan O'Gara nearly four minutes into added time to win an extraordinary Pool at Thomond Park 13 years ago.

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The 41 phases that preceded the coup de grace have gone down in Munster folklore but remain a festering wound for Saints supporters, with very good reason when you revisit the footage.

That's not to say Munster weren't incredibly disciplined, focused, patient and skilled as they inched their way up field into a strong wind to get near enough for ROG to kick for glory. And indeed Saints were equally disciplined and focused in the tackle and, save for once occasion, observing the offside line.

It seemed then, and time has only strengthened my conviction, nearly six minutes of continuous textbook rugby under the most intense pressure and scrutiny.

It all started with 77.03 on the match clock with a Munster scrum about 45 yards out. The men in red had only ever lost once at home in Europe at this stage, against Leicester, but time was running out with them trailing 21-20 against an in-form Saints.

Tomas O'Leary fed the ball into the second row causing co commentator Dewi Morris to have a minor sense of humour failure. To paraphrase: That was bloody ridiculous and if you were that crooked with a lineout throw it would automatically be blown. But no it was a reset, not a penalty. Having not pinged crooked feeds all night, referee Nigel Owens wasn't suddenly going to have a Damascus moment with less than three minutes left. Fair enough. You set the gold standard early in the game and don't deviate. Consistency is what players crave.

But then came the reset and a monumental, brutal, brilliant, synchronised, shunt for the ages from the formidable Saints eight which cracked the Munster front row like dropped porcelain, sent hooker Damien Varley into orbit and had Munster wheeling around out of control. Routed, defeated, humiliated.