Six-Try Munster Make Light Work Of Wasps

Simon Zebo surpassed the late Anthony Foley as Munster’s top Heineken Champions Cup try scorer in a 45-7 bonus point win over Wasps at Thomond Park.

Zebo’s 24th European try for the province, coupled with efforts from Conor Murray and Jack O’Donoghue, had them 24-7 ahead at half-time.

Last week’s conquering of Toulouse meant injury-hit Wasps still had a shot at reaching the round of 16, while Munster were already through and eyeing up a higher seeding.

Dan Robson touched down for the visitors in the 26th minute, but Jeremy Loughman, Zebo and Rory Scannell made it six tries in the end for Munster, who finished third in Pool B.

Rounding off the pool stages with a convincing fourth victory, Johann van Graan’s side noticeably showed more variety and ambition in attack on the back of some recent criticism of their play.

Munster had some late reshuffling before kick-off, with Loughman and Zebo starting in place of Dave Kilcoyne (ill) and Keith Earls (strain) respectively.

With the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions in Ireland this weekend, the larger-than-expected 13,047-strong crowd were treated to a strong start from the hosts.

A TMO review ruled out a potential knock-on prior to Murray’s eighth-minute opener, the scrum half pouncing on the loose ball to score after a terrific initial carry from Gavin Coombes.

Ben Healy converted, tagged on a penalty and then provided a clever chip-kick assist for Zebo to bundle over from close range.

Healy’s conversion made it 17-0, but Robson marked his return from a groin injury with a sharply-finished try. He reached over after a quick tap penalty.

The extras were added by Charlie Atkinson, who was swatted away by Coombes in the build-up to O’Donoghue’s try on the half hour mark. Healy’s boot restored the 17-point gap.

Munster ended the first half with 14 men, number 8 Coombes seeing yellow for a series of team penalties. Yet, Wasps were unable to convert the pressure into points.

The sight of Thomas Young being stretchered off for a head injury was another blow for an already weakened Wasps, who conceded again five minutes after the restart. Prop Loughman drove over after a maul had done the damage.

Ali Crossdale intercepted to prevent another Munster score, and despite Robson being binned for an early challenge on Murray, the visitors held firm despite some loose kicking from Atkinson and Will Porter.

A trademark Tadhg Beirne turnover ruined a promising Josh Bassett-led attack for Wasps, before Andrew Conway had a try ruled out at the other end, as replacement Jack Crowley’s looping pass was ruled forward.

Munster had more in the tank and managed to produce a late flourish, profiting from out-half Atkinson’s sin-binning in the 76th minute for killing the ball.

A sweeping attack ended with Zebo crossing in the left corner, and a fine break by the 31-year-old set up Scannell to stroll over at the death. Crowley kicked both conversions.

Munster boss van Graan confirmed that Earls, who picked up a high leg strain in training and missed the game, should be fit for the start of Ireland’s Guinness Six Nations campaign.

He also had high praise for young out-half Healy following an assured performance, which included 11 points with the boot and a deft assist for Zebo’s first try.

“We knew that Wasps were still in it (the Champions Cup) if they won the game, so we treated it as a knockout game,” said van Graan.

“There was no specific message to Ben, just go out and enjoy it and steer the ship. I felt he had a really good game, the first one (assist) for Zeebs, that little chip for Zeebs. His decision making, pretty good defensively.”

The South African added: “We wanted to make sure we won the game and if the four tries were on offer, we wanted to take them.

“Obviously, Leicester got five points and ‘Quins won that game in the 83rd minute so the only thing that we could control was getting the five points, but real positives out of tonight’s game.”