WATCH: Free-scoring Munster Rugby hit Benetton for six in crucial URC bonus point win

MUNSTER Rugby leapfrogged Benetton Rugby in the United Rugby Championship table after scoring an exciting 40-30 bonus point victory over the Italian side before an official attendance of 4082 at Stadio Monigo on Saturday.

An improving Munster side recovered from falling 0-12 in arrears early on to run in six tries in all and become just the second visiting team in the last 10 fixtures to come away from Treviso with a victory.

Paddy Patterson, Jack O'Sullivan, John Hodnett, Jean Kleyn, Antoine Frisch and Joey Carbery all dotted down for a free-scoring Munster side, while Carbery also added five successful conversions.

Munster’s only defeat in their last six BKT United Rugby Championship matches remains that solitary point loss to Leinster at Thomond Park on St. Stephen’s Day

In ideal playing conditions both sides showed at eagerness to throw the ball around from the first whistle. It was the home side who got off to the best possible start in a breathless opening when centre Marco Zanon dotted down in the seventh minute.

Benetton's conversion attempt then hit an upright before falling to safety as the score remained 5-0.

The Italians then added a second try in the 12th minute through winger Ignacio Mendy as the home side found a gap in the stunned visitors defence to score. Jacob Umaga's successful conversion made it 12-0.

Munster were back in the game four minutes later when Paddy Patterson dotted down after good work by Joey Carbery and winger Calvin Nash, who collected his own chip ahead to put the tryscorer away.

Carbery also added the extras to make the score 12-7.

Diamond hands from @MunsterRugby #BKTURC #URC | #BENvMUN pic.twitter.com/uSqUyYczNK

— BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) January 28, 2023

Munster were dealt a blow soon after after winger Nash was forced to leave the field with what appeared to be a rib injury. The Limerick man was replaced by Ben Healy.

Munster were right back in the contest just after the half hour mark when striking for their second try of a highly entertaining opening half.

Replacement Ben Healy help create the opening and in turn found John Hodnett. The young back-rower than put the rampaging Jack O'Sullivan through the gap and the back-rower galloped though the gap to score.

Carbery's successful conversion had the visitors suddenly 14-12 to the good. 

The see-saw nature of the game continued on the stroke of half-time as Benetton out-half Umaga converted a penalty goal to help his side into a one-point, 15-14, interval lead.

Munster made the ideal start to the second half when back-row Hodnett skipped through a couple of tackles down the left wing before touching down for the visitors third try.

The conversion put Munster six points to the good at 21-15 after 43 minutes.

Munster were dealt a blow a few minutes later when replacement Healy was sin-binned for what was deemed to be a deliberate knock-out and Umaga's penalty left three points between the sides, 18-21, with just over half an hour of the game to play.

Despite being a man down, Munster managed the start of that period well. The visitors scored a terrific bonus point team try in the 48th minute through Jean Kleyn following an excellent carry by prop Roman Salanoa.

Carbery converted to make it a 10 point lead at 28-18.

However, Munster weren't making things easy for themselves and replacement hooker Diarmuid Barron was sin-binned in the 57th minute just as Healy returned to the fray.

Benetton opted for a scrum off the resultant penalty and winger Mendy crossed for his second try of the game in the right corner as the ball was spread wide off the set-piece. 

That score left just five points between the sides at 23-28.

To their credit, Munster showed admirable resolve when down to 14 players and Carbery came agonisingly close to increasing their advantage, but his 66th minute penalty attempt from Benetton's 10-metre line shaved the outside of the right hand upright before slipping wide. 

As Benetton came in search of a crucial score, Munster managed to block down an attempted kick in behind their defence. Patterson showed admirable composure to ease the pressure with a well-placed kick deep downfield. Munster managed to turnover possession and Healy's delightful crossfiekd kick was collected by Frisch who touched down.

Carvery missed the conversion, but Munster's lead was out to 10 points, 33-23, with seven minutes remaining.

For good measure, Carbery then added a sixth try to ease further clear, following Healy's well-placed pass. Carbery also added the extras for 40-23.

There was still time for Bneetton to grab a bonus point try, however, as winger Mendy completed his hat-trick of five-pointers with the clock in the red.

BENETTON: Rhyno Smith; Ignacio Mendy, Marco Zanon, Filippo Drago, Mattia Bellini; Jacob Umaga, Dewaldt Duvenage (Capt); Nahuel Tetaz, Siua Maile, Tiziano Pasquali; Marco Lazzaroni, Riccardo Favretto; Giovanni Pettinelli, Alessandro Izekor, Henry Stowers. Replacements: Bautista Bernasconi, Thomas Gallo, Filippo Alongi, Nicola Piantella, Carl Wegner, Abraham Steyn, Manfredi Albanese, Marcus Watson.

MUNSTER RUGBY: Shane Daly; Calvin Nash, Antoine Frisch, Malakai Fekitoa, Liam Coombes; Joey Carbery, Paddy Patterson; Josh Wycherley, Niall Scannell (Capt), Roman Salanoa; Jean Kleyn, Fineen Wycherley; Jack O’Sullivan, John Hodnett, Alex Kendellen. Replacements: Diarmuid Barron, Mark Donnelly, Stephen Archer, Cian Hurley, Ruadhan Quinn, Neil Cronin, Ben Healy, Rory Scannell.

REFEREE: Ben Blain (Scotland)