Munster Rugby hit Scarlets for six to score precious bonus point URC win

MUNSTER Rugby scored six converted tries to secure a precious 42-7 bonus point victory over a struggling Scarlets side in the URC at a wet Parc y Scarlets on Friday night.

Munster's lead was just seven points 14-7 at the start of the final quarter as the home side remained very much in the contest.

However, a 63rd minute Jack O'Sullivan try sparked a flourish of five-pointers for the visitors with Thomas Ahern bagging the bonus point try in the 65th minute, while Sean O'Brien and Shay McCarthy also dotted down before full-time. It was Limerick winger McCarthy's first try in the URC for Munster and O'Brien's first try for the province. 

Out-half Joey Carbery, who turned in an impressive display in the play-making role, converted all six of the Munster tries.

This was Munster's sixth successive victory over the Scarlets. the Welsh region has won just twice in the URC this season.

Man of the Match Gavin Coombes had scored two close range tries for Munster in the opening period to help build a significant 14-0 interval lead.

For Munster Rugby, scrum-half Conor Murray and props Oli Jager and Jeremy Loughman were included in the starting XV having been released from Six Nations squad duties with Ireland.

RG Snyman and Mike Haley were also back on board for their first appearances of the season having regained fitness. Back-row Ruadhán Quinn and the returned RG Snyman departed the game for a HIA.

This was Munster's first win away from home in the URC since their final victory over the Stormers in Cape Town at the end of last season.

Munster have won three of their last seven BKT United Rugby Championship encounters.

The victory ended Munster's three-game losing run in Wales which had dated back to their October 2021 win over the Scarlets in Llanelli.

MUNSTER RUGBY: Mike Haley; Seán O’Brien, Antoine Frisch, Alex Nankivell, Shane Daly; Joey Carbery, Conor Murray; Jeremy Loughman, Niall Scannell, Oli Jager; Tom Ahern, RG Snyman; Ruadhán Quinn, Alex Kendellen (capt), Gavin Coombes. 

Replacements: Eoghan Clarke, Josh Wycherley, John Ryan, Fineen Wycherley, Jack O’Sullivan, Ethan Coughlan, Rory Scannell, Shay McCarthy.

SCARLETS: Johnny McNicholl; Tomi Lewis, Joe Roberts, Eddie James, Ioan Nicholas; Dan Jones, Archie Hughes; Kemsley Mathias, Eduan Swart, Harri O'Connor; Alex Craig, Sam Lousi (capt); Jarrod Taylor, Dan Davis, Vaea Fifita. 

Replacements: Harry Thomas, Wyn Jones, Sam Wainwright, Jac Price, Teddy Leatherbarrow, Efan Jones, Charlie Titcombe, Steff Evans.

REFEREE: Ian Kenny (Scotland)