WATCH: Holders Munster Rugby book URC semi-final spot with victory over Ospreys

HOLDERS Munster Rugby secured their place in next weekend's United Rugby Championship semi-finals are securing a 23-7 quarter-final victory over the Ospreys in front of an attendance of 14,072 at Thomond Park on Friday night.

Munster will now face either Glasgow Warriors or Stormers in the semi-finals of the URC on Saturday, June 15 at Thomond Park at 6pm.

First-half tries from Simon Zebo and Niall Scannell had top seeds Munster 17-7 to the good at half-time in their ninth successive season to reach the URC play-offs. Man of the match Jack Crowley kicked 13 points off the tee, including two second half penalties as Munster took a step closer to retaining their title.

Munster have now won their last 10 URC fixtures, while it remains 10 years since the Ospreys last won in Limerick.

Indeed, Munster’s only defeat in their last 15 fixtures with Ospreys in all competitions was 10-18 at Swansea.com Stadium in October 2021.

Simon Zebo delivers

What a start from @munsterrugby #BKTURC #URC #MUNvOSP pic.twitter.com/a2TMxrVLHq

— BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) June 7, 2024

It was a rapid-fire start from both teams, with Gavin Coombes releasing the flying Zebo on his outside to extend his all-time Munster record to 73 tries when opening the scoring. Out-half Crowley duly added the extras.

To their credit, the Ospreys hit back with a high-quality converted try of their own as Reuben Morgan-Williams’ deft kick was collected by Owen Watkin, who combined with Morgan Morris to send Keelan Giles flying over on a brilliantly-angled 40-metre run.

Champions Munster hit-back and propelled by their hugely effective maul, the home side struck for their second try as hooker Niall Scannell scored under Keiran Williams’ attempted tackle with Crowley again converting.

Crowley then punished his opposite number Owen Williams for not rolling away to make it 17-7 in the 27th minute.

Niall Scannell crosses the line for Munster's second try of the night. Crowley converts for the extra two.
Watch now on @RTE2 & @RTEPlayer
Listen to updates on https://t.co/Sv0ZFHu5Ph
Live updates Live: URC: Munster v Ospreys updates https://t.co/3pQQZwVU3g pic.twitter.com/6tRhCWWp35

— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) June 7, 2024

The Welsh side enjoyed a period of pressure and possession before half-time, but Dewi Lake was tackled into touch from a lineout, and a late bout of visitors pressure ended with Munster winning a scrum penalty.

The second half began in drizzling rain, and Munster were denied a third try as Ospreys number 8 Morris did well to prevent Gavin Coombes from scoring.

Crowley's penalty opens up a 10 point lead for Munster.
Watch now on @RTE2 & @RTEPlayer
Listen to updates on https://t.co/Sv0ZFHu5Ph
Live updates Live: URC: Munster v Ospreys updates https://t.co/3pQQZwVU3g pic.twitter.com/pB9nL34OyL

— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) June 7, 2024

Despite Ospreys holding out again near the hour mark, the resulting scrum saw Munster force a close-in penalty which Crowley sent over for a 20-7 advantage.

Crowley raised the flags again after Huw Sutton had infringed at a ruck. He dropped a long-range effort short in the 68th minute.

A week on from their round 18 heroics, Ospreys were struggling to get out of their own half, and despite Luke Davies’ blindside break and kick chase, Munster gave very little away.

"Frustrating from our point of view, we weren't very clinical" Munster Captain Tadhg Beirne reacts to their URC quarter final win over the Ospreys at Thomond Park:

FT Munster 23–7 Ospreys

Live analysis on @RTE2 & @RTEPlayer pic.twitter.com/NfFiaHmeMT

— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) June 7, 2024

The two sides have now met on five previous occasions in URC playoffs with Munster having the edge by four wins to one and all matches being won by the home side on the day.

MUNSTER RUGBY: Simon Zebo, Calvin Nash, Antoine Frisch, Seán O'Brien, Shane Daly, Jack Crowley, Craig Casey, Jeremy Loughman, Niall Scannell, Stephen Archer, RG Snyman, Tadhg Beirne (Capt), Peter O'Mahony, John Hodnett, Gavin Coombes. Replacements: Diarmuid Barron for Scannell, Oli Jager for Archer, Jack O’Donoghue for O’Mahony (all 47 mins), Mike Haley for Zebo (54 mins), Conor Murray for Casey (59 mins), John Ryan for Loughman, Alex Kendellen for Hodnett (both 62 mins), Tony Butler for Frisch (69 mins).

OSPREYS: Max Nagy, Luke Morgan, Owen Watkin, Keiran Williams, Keelan Giles, Owen Williams, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Nicky Smith, Dewi Lake, Tom Botha, James Ratti, Huw Sutton, Jac Morgan, Justin Tipuric (Capt), Morgan Morris. Replacements: Sam Parry for Lake, Rhys Henry for Botha (both 55 mins), Gareth Thomas for Smith (65 mins), Luke Davies for Morgan-Williams (69 mins), Harri Houston for Nagy (70 mins), Victor Sekekete for Sutton (71 mins), Morgan Morse for Morris (74 mins), Luke Scully for Giles (80 mins).

REFEREE: Hollie Davidson (Scotand)