Munster Book PRO12 Final Place With Three-Try Display

Table toppers Munster booked their place in next Saturday’s GUINNESS PRO12 final with a runaway 23-3 victory over the Ospreys at Thomond Park.

Departing centre Francis Saili signed off at the province’s Limerick fortress with a magnificent man-of-the-match performance as Rassie Erasmus’ men set up a title decider with the Scarlets at the Aviva Stadium.

A well-taken 25th-minute try from Saili, whose release by Munster was confirmed in midweek, split the sides at the break (8-3), with Dan Biggar and Tyler Bleyendaal kicking a penalty each.

Driven on by captain Alun Wyn Jones, who made a welcome return from a shoulder injury, the Welshmen began to wilt after Simon Zebo took his Munster record to 53 tries on the hour mark.

Bleyendaal converted and added a penalty with 14 minutes remaining, before Andrew Conway crossed for a classy 74th-minute try as Munster moved within reach of their first PRO12 crown since 2011.

The eagerly-awaited duel between Lions scrum halves Conor Murray and Rhys Webb was shelved as the latter was withdrawn before kick-off with a groin injury that was not expected to keep him out of the final.

Webb’s replacement Brendon Leonard had an inauspicious start, being blocked down by Murray and then knocking on at a lineout. But the Ospreys had the first points on the board, Biggar slotting over a seventh-minute penalty.

Although the visitors dominated possession for much of the opening 40 minutes, Munster held them at arm’s length with some well-organised and steely defence – typified by Tipperary man Donnacha Ryan in his final outing in red at Thomond Park.

New Zealander Saili was Munster’s liveliest runner and his efforts were rewarded with an opportunist try. A monster maul ignited the hosts’ attack and Rory Scannell did really well to keep the ball in play, close to the left touchline, before his centre partner Saili reacted quickest to pick up and cross from a few metres out.

Bleyendaal could not convert and although Biggar was also off target from a 31st-minute penalty, Ospreys skipper Jones continued to wield plenty of influence up front.

Munster began to get the edge at scrum time, particularly on Dave Kilcoyne’s loosehead side, and a furious late assault on the Ospreys line, which saw Zebo held up short, ended with Bleyendaal’s right boot putting them five points up at half-time.

The Ospreys opened the second period with a snappy break from prop Nicky Smith, Munster hooker Niall Scannell soon returning the favour before Keith Earls was bundled into touch just a few metres out.

Ashley Beck and Dan Evans increased their influence with ball in hand as the Ospreys backs threatened as the hour approached, however the pack was soon pinged for obstruction at a maul.

After a CJ Stander effort was ruled inconclusive by TMO Graham Hughes, Munster somehow turned a Tipuric hack downfield into a scintillating 60th-minute score, Earls and Saili setting up a breathless counter attack that ended with Zebo grounding to the left of the posts.

Bleyendaal’s conversion put 12 points between the sides and his 66th minute penalty was a further blow to the Ospreys whose replacement hooker Scott Otten was unfortunate to have a cracking chip-and-chase try ruled out for a previous knock-on by Tom Habberfield.

Fittingly, the Munstermen closed out the scoring with their third try of the evening, moving the ball wide from their rock-solid scrum to set up winger Conway who showed great feet and finishing skills to make the line. Saili ensured a try shut-out for the hosts, showing great gas to deny Keelan Giles a last-minute consolation score.