WATCH: Munster Rugby notch 'magnificent seven' in bonus point win over Zebre

FREE-SCORING Munster Rugby racked up seven tries in securing a precious 45-29 bonus point over Zebre Parma in the United Rugby Championships at Virgin Media Park on Friday night.

Holders Munster scored five first-half tries to gain control of the contest and although the home side coughed up three tries in a frustrating 13 minute spell in the second period, the URC champions had done enough to secure a vital victory.

Academy player Ruadhán Quinn grabbed a brace of tries in the win, his first at this level for the province, while Mike Haley, RG Snyman, Seán O'Brien, Antoine Frisch and Shane Daly also dotted down.

Out-half Tony Butler converted five of the tries. It is the first time this season that Munster has managed to win BKT United Rugby Championship fixtures this season following their recent success away to Scarlets. 

Munster have now won all 20 meetings they have played against Zebre Parma. The Italian side, who picked up a try bonus point on their visit to a freezing cold Leeside, has only recorded one victory in the BKT URC this season, a 12-10 win at home to Hollywoodbets Sharks in Round 4.

Munster laid the foundation for this convincing victory in the opening half after which the home side enjoyed a significant 33-10 advantage with a bonus point in the bag.

The URC holders scored five tries in that opening half, building an early 12-0 lead before being hauled back to 12-10. The champions then hit turbo in the second quarter, scoring three further converted tries and 21 points to ease clear.

The offload off the deck from RG Snyman to send Ruadhán Quinn over for his first Munster try #MUNvZEB #SUAF

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— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) March 1, 2024

Academy player and former Crescent College Comprehensive Munster Schools Senior Cup winner, Ruadhán Quinn got the ball rolling when crossing for his first try for the province at this level in the fifth minute. 

Five minutes later, full-back Mike Haley had his first try of the season, on his 99th appearance in red, when touching down superbly after a terrific break. Out-half Tony Butler duly added the extras to put a dozen points between the sides.

After Zebre hit back with a try from Muhamed Hasa, following an earlier interception, Geronimo Prisciantelli added a conversion and penalty while Munster's tryscorer Quinn was in the sin-bin, the home side moved quickly to regain their grip on the contest.

Incredible acceleration from Mike Haley to get our second try on his 99th appearance for Munster #MUNvZEB #SUAF

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— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) March 1, 2024

The powerful RG Snyman dotted down, before winger San O'Brien added the bonus point try in the 34th minute. Munster had time for a further try before the break when, after terrific quick-thinking from Craig Casey when he opened up the Zebre defence by taking a quick tap off a penalty award, the scrum-half found Antoine Frisch who scampered over. 

Out-half Butler added four conversions in all in the opening half. 

The slam dunk from RG for our third try #MUNvZEB #SUAF

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— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) March 1, 2024

Munster added two more tries in the second period with Quinn going on to complete his brace of five-pointers and winger Shane Daly dotting down late on.

MUNSTER RUGBY: Mike Haley (Preston Grasshoppers), Seán O'Brien (Mullingar RFC), Antoine Frisch (Paris Université Club), Alex Nankivell (Christchurch Boys High School), Shane Daly (Highfield RFC), Tony Butler (Ennis RFC), Craig Casey (Shannon RFC), Josh Wycherley (Bantry Bay RFC), Niall Scannell (PBC Cork), John Ryan (Muskerry RFC), Tom Ahern (Youghal RFC), RG Snyman (Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool), Ruadhán Quinn (Ballina-Killaloe RFC), Alex Kendellen (PBC Cork) (CAPT), Gavin Coombes (Skibbereen RFC). Replacements: Eoghan Clarke (CBC Monkstown), Jeremy Loughman (Athy RFC), Stephen Archer (Cork Constitution FC), Fineen Wycherley (Bantry Bay RFC), Jack O'Sullivan (Sunday’s Well RFC), Ethan Coughlan (Ennis RFC), Rory Scannell (PBC Cork), Ben O’Connor (Highfield RFC)

ZEBRE PARMA: Geronimo Prisciantelli (Club Atlético de San Isidro), Scott Gregory (Hikurangi RFC), Luca Morisi (A.S. Rugby Milano), Damiano Mazza (Rugby Parma F.C. 1931), Simone Gesi (Livorno Rugby), Tiff Eden (Cheltenham Tigers RFC), Alessandro Fusco (Amatori Napoli Rugby), Luca Rizzoli (Unione Rugby Capitolina), Luca Bigi (Rugby Reggio), Muhamed Hasa (A.S. Rugby Milano), David Sisi (Tottonians RFC), Leonard Krumov (Crema Rugby Club), Giacomo Ferrari (Unione Rugby Capitolina), Bautista Stavile (Mendoza Rugby Club), Giovanni Licata (Miraglia Rugby Agrigento) (Capt). Replacements: Giampietro Ribaldi (Caimani Rugby), Samuele Taddei (Frascati Rugby Union), Riccardo Genovese (CUS Torino Rugby), Dylan de Leeuw (Western Province), Davide Ruggeri (Rugby Como), Thomas Dominguez (Club Atlético de San Isidro), Jacopo Trulla (Rugby Vicenza), Josh Kaifa (Auckland Rugby).

REFEREE: Adam Jones (Wales)