Josh Matavesi looked as though he had done enough to make it 12th time lucky, and send the Welsh region into a third final on Irish soil, but the Welsh referee Nigel Owens went back to the TMO to check on a possible knock-on and the verdict went against the visitor.
“I thought the ball was knocked out of my hand, but it is what it is. Munster put in a strong performance and it was a great effort from the boys,” said Webb.
“We weren’t clinical enough in the first half and we probably left one or two tries out there in the second half. We’re obviously disappointed, but the average age of this side is 24 and we still have a long way to go. We’re going to re-group in the summer and look forward to next season.”
Instead of leaving with a 25-21 triumph, the Ospeys lost 21-18 and followed Ulster in failing to make the final at the Kingspan Stadium, Belfast, this weekend, after they were overtaken at the death by Glasgow Warriors, 16-14. It means the final will be between the two teams that finished No 1 and No 2 in the table at the end of the regular season, Glasgow Warriors and Munster.
While Glasgow will be chasing the first major club title for a Scottish club in the professional era, Munster will be looking to end a four-year long wait for more silverware. As for Wales, the last time one of the four Regions brought home a trophy was in 2012 when the Ospreys won the last of their four PRO12 titles.
“There was a lot of excitement there at the end and we are obviously bitterly disappointed that the decision went against us. We never gave up and that has been the case all season long with this young Ospreys side,” said head coach Steve Tandy.
“Most teams would have folded when Munster got 16-3 ahead, but Rhys Webb picked up a try and we kept on going. We left one or two more tries out there, but when we look back on this game, and the season as a whole, there will be a lot of proud moments to reflect on.
“We have a really exciting future and with the determination and character shown by the team we are in a good place. But we need to put our heads down this summer and work hard before next season to ensure we continue to meet our own high standards.”
