Bonus Point Return For Workmanlike Munster

Just back from their week-long training camp in Lanzarote, Munster ran four tries past Edinburgh at Musgrave Park on Saturday to remain top of the pile in the Magners League.

First half tries from Doug Howlett (10 minutes) and Tony Buckley (34) set the tone for Tony McGahan’s men who were back playing at Musgrave Park for the first time in four months.

Ben Cairns and Chris Paterson collected tries for Edinburgh but Munster had the bonus point within their grasp 15 minutes from the finish, following tries from Keith Earls and newcomer Ciaran O’Boyle.

Debutants O’Boyle and Ryan Grant got early ball in hand for their respective sides and Edinburgh were first to settle, maintaining possession well thanks to Greig Laidlaw’s swift deliveries.

But Edinburgh were soon forced back towards their 22 by strong running from Munster’s Niall Ronan and Denis Fogarty, with the latter very effective in the loose.

The home forwards then clicked into gear and after a series of pick and goes in midfield, Howlett slipped out of attempted tackles from Andrew Turnbull and Cairns to score in the right corner.

Paul Warwick added a superb conversion from the touchline, yet Munster’s lead lasted only eight minutes.

From a position on the Munster 22, Edinburgh flanker Alan MacDonald gobbled up a lineout ball that drifted over the back from Andrew Kelly.

Lifeimi Mafi looked to have wrestled the ball back on Munster’s side but it popped up nicely for Cairns to take it and race over to the left of the posts, handing Paterson a straightforward conversion.

Busy hooker Kelly carried well for the Scots and there was abrasive play from both packs which suited New Zealander Nick Williams and late call-up Alan Quinlan, who took the place of Donnacha Ryan due to a family bereavement.

Shortly before half-time, a surge from Earls got Munster back within scoring range and scrum half Peter Stringer cleverly switched play to the left to send Buckley piling over past Paterson for his try.

Warwick converted for a 14-7 half-time lead and Munster misfired on the restart, encountering lineout problems and some tenacious defending from Edinburgh forced a series of turnovers.

Paterson and Warwick missed a penalty apiece and a vital tackle from Simon Cross brought the advancing Mafi to ground.

Just minutes later, Munster broke the deadlock when Howlett snaffled the ball back after Paterson failed to gather a garryowen and Mafi’s well-weighted kick put Earls charging over from the left.

Warwick added the extras and eight minutes later, O’Boyle seized a poor pass from Edinburgh replacement Bruce McNeil to run in an intercept score.

David Blair spotted a mismatch with Federico Pucciariello and darted through a midfield gap before offloading for Paterson to run in a consolation try but Munster, with Denis Leamy in stand-out form, were full value for their bonus point success.