Munster Cruise To Seven-Try Victory Over Zebre

Clinical Munster racked up seven tries in a 49-5 demolition of an outclassed Zebre team in their one-sided GUINNESS PRO12 clash at Thomond Park.

Munster had the bonus point in safe-keeping by half-time after scoring four tries in the opening half. They added three more touchdowns, with CJ Stander completing his brace, to make it four wins in five league outings.

All seven tries were converted, four from New Zealand out-half Tyler Bleyendaal and the final three from replacement Ian Keatley who passed the 1,000-point career mark for the province.

A very satisfying night for Munster’s director of rugby Rassie Erasmus also included a return to action for Ireland back rower Peter O’Mahony following his 12-month lay-off for a serious knee injury.

O’Mahony was sprung from the bench for the final 20 minutes and received a huge ovation from the home supporters, having been injured playing for Ireland at last autumn’s Rugby World Cup.

Munster took a firm grip on the game in the opening half, laying the foundations for this ultimately comfortable victory. They bagged their first try inside four minutes when flying winger and man-of-the-match Darren Sweetnam touched down, following a fine break from Conor Murray.

After Zebre number 10 Carlo Canna pushed a penalty attempt right and wide in the ninth minute, Munster survived another scare when only a desperate cover tackle from Sweetnam prevented Giovanbattista Venditti from running the length of the pitch to score an intercept try in the 21st minute.

Having survived that let-off, scrum half Murray added Munster’s second try soon after when he broke from the back of a maul. Bleyendaal duly added his second successful conversion of the day.

Try number three arrived for the province just before the half hour mark when number 8 Stander blocked down an attempted clearance from the Zebre defence before touching down. Bleyendaal again added the extras.

Munster had the bonus point in the bag in the 32nd minute when Bleyendaal intercepted on halfway and winger Simon Zebo collected Murray’s neat chip through before touching down for a 28-0 interval lead.

Munster were awarded a penalty try in the 52nd minute when Sweetnam was impeded as he looked set to score, while Erasmus’ men, who visit provincial rivals Leinster next week, added further tries through prop Stephen Archer and Stander. Zebre bagged a consolation try from winger Gabriele di Giulio in the 72nd minute.

The match saw Springbok international Jaco Taute make his debut for Munster while Darren O’Shea and Alex Wootton were handed their first competitive starts. It was a milestone night too for Donnacha Ryan who became the first player of the current squad to reach 150 caps for the province.

In total, Munster included 12 internationals in this evening’s matchday squad. 17 players were products of the Munster age-grade and Academy pathways, while current Academy member Conor Oliver played in his third straight PRO12 game.