| Munster (10) 24 |
| Tries: Nash, Salanoa, Ryan, Scannell Cons: Carbery 2 |
| Zebre (10) 17 |
| Tries: Ralston, Marmion Cons: Carty (2) PensCarty |
Munster won the bonus-point victory over Connacht (provincial rivals) in the United Rugby Championship, Limerick.
At the break, both sides were at level. Roman Salanoa and Calvin Nash scored tries for Munster. Byron Ralston crossed for the visitors.
John Ryan, Niall Scannell and Niall Scannell added more tries to the hosts’ second half score for the bonus point.
Connacht was held at bay by Connacht’s Kieran Marmion but Munster took the victory.
Graham Rowntree’s victory lifts Graham Rowntree’s team to eighth place in the United Rugby Championship table.
Both teams recall their Ireland internationals after the November Autumn Series in Ireland. This was a sign of how important this game was to them both.
Graham Rowntree’s team included four Irish starters in the last month, Joey Carberry (Peter O’Mahoney), Craig Casey, and Tadhg Beirne.
Andy Friend also listed six players who played for Ireland or the Ireland A’ side, including Finlay Bealham and Gavin Thornbury. Cian Prendergast, Caolin blade, Bundee Aki, Dave Heffernan and Finlay Thornbury were all involved in the visitors’ efforts.
Both sides were unable to adapt to windy conditions in the first exchanges, leading into an error-prone quarter.
Connacht fly-half Carty started his side with a penalty. But Munster quickly responded with Casey’s sniping blindside runs and incisive passes, allowing Nash his side to win.
In a fierce and aggressive inter-provincial battle, both sides struggled to hold possession. Turnovers and handling errors made it difficult for either side gain momentum.
Munster fullback Mike Haley couldn’t deal with a Connacht kick. Instead, he threw an intercept pass and gave Byron Ralston five points. Jack Carty did well to score the extras.
After a period of pressure, Munster scored the last points of the second half. Salanoa burrowed over from behind a lineout maul and made the score level at the break.
While the game was still on the edge going into the second quarter, Connacht winger John Porch was yellow-carded for a bodycheck on Carberry giving the hosts the upper hand.
Munster put in a lot of pressure, and John Ryan was allowed to try out for the replacement prop. He crashed at a distance.
Munster continued to dominate possession and territory, but they were unable to extend their lead because of a stubborn Connacht defense.
The hosts eventually managed to extend their lead by Niall Scannell, a replacement hooker, steering a lineout maul through the line and forcing his route over for the bonus-point attempt.
The visitors continued to push the boundaries, and with a penalty kick that resulted in a lineout, they were able to set up an area for a ruck in Munster 22, and Marmion moved over to keep the score at a touch.
Munster won the last whistle and was deservedly crowned the winners.
Munster: Haley; Nash, Frisch, Scannell, Daly; Carbery, Casey; Wycherley, Barron, Salanoa; Kleyn, Beirne; O’Mahony, Hodnett, Kendellen.
Replacing: Scannell, Loughman, Ryan, Edogbo, O’Donoghue, Patterson, Crowley, Coombes.
Connacht: Buckley, Heffernan, Bealham, Murphy, Thornbury, Prendergast, Oliver, Butler, Blade, Carty, Wooton, Aki, Farrell, Ralston, Porch.
Replacements: Delahunt, Dooley, Aungier, Murray, Dowling, Marmion, Fitzgerald, Boyle.