Nine-Try Munster Thrash Esher
It was a try fest for Munster at Dooradoyle on Friday as they swept Esher aside in a nine-try 64-9 demolition in British & Irish Cup Pool B.
A number of Munster players, such as try-scoring props Dave Kilcoyne and Stephen Archer, must have staked claims for promotion for the upcoming Magners league ties.
Anthony Foley's side had the game won before most of the spectators arrived- the kick–off was brought forward by 15 minutes because of frost – and they were 43-9 to the good at half-time.
In that time they scored six tries courtesy of Danny Barnes, Ivan Dineen, Stephen Archer, Tommy O'Donnell, Dave Kilcoyne and Sean Scanlon.
The opening try came after only two minutes when out-half Declan Cusack floated the perfect cross-field kick to enable Barnes to gather and race in between two defenders.
Lock Ian Nagle enhanaced his growing reputation with a superb effort in the lineout, crowning a fine overall display, and one of his takes from touch led to Archer's try in the 19th minute.
Nagle was withdrawn eight minutes into the second half, as Munster continued to turn pressure into points. They rout continued with Simon Zebo, Troy Smith and Conor Murray getting the touchdowns in a one-sided affair.
Zebo swooped on a loose ball to kick ahead and win the race for the touchdown, busy centre Smith nipped in under the posts in the 70th minute and Murray completed the rout, with fellow replacement JJ Hanrahan supplying the final conversion.
The back row combination of captain Billy Holland, O'Donnell and Paddy Butler deserve a mention for an industrious night at the coalface,
Munster's third win on the trot keeps them in contention to reach the quarter-finals of the British & Irish Cup. They face Bristol in their final pool game at the Memorial Stadium on Tuesday, February 22.
Referee: James Matthew (Scotland)