WATCH: Dominant first half propels Munster Rugby to vital bonus point win over Dragons

A DOMINANT first half display propelled Munster Rugby to a precious 38-19 bonus point victory over a struggling Dragons side in their URC fixture at Rodney Parade on Saturday evening.

Visitors Munster scored six tries in all, including five in the opening half, to secure just their second away win in the URC this season and move up to seventh place in the League table.

Munster laid the foundation for this win after which the 2023 URC championship held a substantial 31-0 lead. There was plenty to admire in Munster's play during that opening 40 minutes. 

However, Munster's second half display was disjointed as the visitors made a significant number of errors although their cause was not helped by several unfortunate injuries which caused disruption to the side and forced a number of players to play out of position.

Munster have won their last nine fixtures against Welsh regions and their only defeat in their last 11 encounters with Dragons was on their visit to Rodney Parade in September 2022.

Crucially Munster have now managed to win three of their last four URC fixtures as they bid to continue their move up the table.

What a try by @Munsterrugby

Diarmuid Kilgallen with the opening score of tonight's matchup against Dragons pic.twitter.com/kCyTRstFQJ

— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) January 25, 2025

Four Academy players were included in the Munster squad for Saturday night's game as full-back Ben O’Connor made his first start, while replacement hooker Danny Sheahan made his senior debut off the bench.

Munster closed out the game with four members of their Academy on the pitch for the final 12 minutes at Rodney Parade.

The free-flowing Munster side scored five tries in that opening period. The visitors opened brightly with winger Diarmuid Kilgallen touching down in the left corner inside three minutes.

Last season's semi-finalists added a second try on 17 minutes when Munster's showed more impressive attacking intent as Coombes brushed his way past a tackle and fellow back-row Kendellen was on his shoulder to finish it off. Billy Burns duly converted for 12-0.

.@Munsterrugby are FLYING

The visitors secure their third in just under 20 minutes!#BKTURC #URC | #DRAvMUN pic.twitter.com/NWmEgNFFEO

— BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) January 25, 2025

The Dragons, who had shipped 60 points in a heavy away defeat to the Lions in the Challenge Cup last weekend, found themselves behind their own posts again two minutes later. Tom Ahern won the restart, before rampaging his way forward. They quickly moved the ball wide, with Shane Daly popping a pass to Kendellen, who in turn found Ben O'Connor and the full-back, on his first start for the province, scampered in under the posts.

Munster then had the bonus point try at the end of the first quarter. Daly and Farrell teamed up well after a break. Daly looked all set to dot down but Lloyd Evans tackled him high around the neck, resulting in the the winger knocking the ball on on. A penalty try was duly awarded after a consultation with the TMO while Evans was sin-binned. 

The try pushed Munster's lead out to 26-0. The visitors added a fifth try in the opening half when prop Dian Bleuler dotted down from close rage after 33 minutes. 

Munster retained their 31-point advantage until half-time.

The Welsh region struck for the first of three second half tries when Chris Coleman touched down soon after the restart. 

Gavin Coombes speaks after a Player of the Match display in @Munsterrugby's victory against Dragons at Rodney Parade

"Delighted after last weekend to put that disappointment behind us." ️ pic.twitter.com/qthWsFcdxV

— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) January 25, 2025

Munster scored their sixth try of the evening in the 54th minute. Tom Ahern won a lineout and the Munster packed mauled their way over the line with John Hodnett getting the touchdown.

Butler added the extras for 38-5. While pleased to have picked up a maximum five-point haul from their trip to Wales, Munster will feel a degree of frustration at shipping two converted tries over the remainder of the game as Harry Wilson and Dane Blacker crossed the whitewash.

SCORERS: Dragons: Chris Coleman, Harry Wilson, Dane Blacker try each, Lloyd Evans con, Will Reed con. Munster Rugby: Diarmuid Kilgallen, Alex Kendellen, Ben O'Connor, Dian Bleuler, John Hodnett try each, pen try, Billy Burns two cons, Tony Butler con. 

DRAGONS RFC: Huw Anderson, Rio Dyer, Aneurin Owen (Capt), Harri Ackerman, Jared Rosser, Lloyd Evans, Morgan Lloyd, Rodrigo Martinez, Brodie Coghlan, Chris Coleman, Joe Davies, Ryan Woodman, Shane Lewis-Hughes, Dan Lydiate, Taine Basha. Replacements: George Young for Basham (injured, 4mins), Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths for Marinez (injured, 9 mins), Harry Wilson for Ackerman (injured, 36 mins), Dane Blacker for Lloyd (half-time), James Benjamin for Coghlan, Barny Langton-Cryer for Woodnam (both 50 mins), Paula Latu for Coleman (60 mins), Will Reed for Evans (67 mins).

MUNSTER RUGBY: Ben O’Connor, Diarmuid Kilgallen, Tom Farrell, Rory Scannell, Shane Daly, Billy Burns, Ethan Coughlan, Dian Bleuler, Diarmuid Barron, Oli Jager, Fineen Wycherley, Tom Ahern, Jack O’Donoghue (Capt), Alex Kendellen, Gavin Coombes. Replacements: Tony Butler for Farrell (24 mins), John Ryan for Jager (40 mins), Paddy Patterson for Daly, John Hodnett for Kendellen (both 50 mins), Brian Gleeson for Burns (56 mins), Evan O'Connell for Wycherley (60 mins), Danny Sheahan for Coughlan (64 mins), Kieran Ryan for Bleuler (68 mins).

REFEREE: Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy)