Munster Rugby leave it late to subdue struggling Zebre in URC at Thomond Park

MUNSTER Rugby avoided a record fourth successive defeat at Thomond Park in the professional era when securing a hard fought 21-7 victory over struggling Zebre Rugby in the URC at a wet Thomond Park on Saturday evening in front of an attendance of 12,558.

Munster, who had won just one of their previous four URC fixtures prior to kick-off, found themselves tied 7-7 with the Italians at half-time, despite taking an early seventh minute lead through a Shane Daly try which was superbly converted by JJ Hanrahan. 

Zebre, who are propping up the table with just two wins of their 11 fixtures prior to kick-off, hit back with a 32nd minute Bautista Stavile try, which was converted by Giacomo da Re.

Munster, who only win in their previous four URC outings came in a 22-20 victory over the Dragons at Virgin Media Park in January, outscored their opponents 14-0 in the second half, grabbing two tries in the final quarter through Alex Kendellen on 65 minutes and Lee Barron six minutes later. 

Hanrahan converted both. 

Munster will feel a degree of frustration at their inability to secure a try bonus point.

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Munster, who had lost their three previous matches at Thomond Park in all competitions, have not lost four in a row at the venue in the professional era.

Munster welcomed back Ireland players Tom Farrell, Michael Milne and Edwin Edogbo from international camp for Saturday night's game in Limerick and made 10 changes to the team that lost to Glasgow last time out.

Scrum-half Paddy Patterson starting on his 50th appearance for the province.

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Munster Rugby: Mike Haley (Preston Grasshoppers/Hartpury College); Calvin Nash (Young Munster RFC/Crescent College Comp), Tom Farrell (Coolmine RFC/Castleknock College), Dan Kelly (Rochdale Rugby Union/Kirkham Grammar), Shane Daly (Highfield RFC/PBC); JJ Hanrahan (Castleisland RFC/Rockwell College), Paddy Patterson (Blackrock College); Michael Milne (Birr RFC/Cistercian College Roscrea), Niall Scannell (PBC/Dolphin RFC), Michael Ala'alatoa (West Harbour RFC); Jean Kleyn (Hoërskool Linden), Fineen Wycherley (Bantry Bay RFC/Cistercian College Roscrea); Gavin Coombes (Skibbereen RFC/Bandon Grammar), Jack O'Donoghue (capt) (Waterpark RFC), Brian Gleeson (Thurles RFC/Rockwell College). Replacements: Lee Barron (Lansdowne RFC/St Michael’s College), Josh Wycherley (Bantry Bay RFC/Cistercian College Roscrea), John Ryan (Muskerry RFC/CBC), Edwin Edogbo (Cobh Pirates RFC), Alex Kendellen (PBC), Ethan Coughlan (Ennis RFC), Tom Wood (Ballina Killaloe RFC/St Munchin’s College), Seán O’Brien (Mullingar RFC).

Zebre Parma: Martin Roger Farias; Albert Einstein Batista (Rugby Rufus San Vincenzo), Giulio Bertaccini (Amatori Rugby Parma), Damiano Mazza (Rugby Parma 1931), Simone Gesi (Livorno Rugby); Giacomo Da Re (Benetton), Gonzalo Garcia (Natación y Gimnasia); Juan Pitinari (Logaritmo Rugby), Giampietro Ribaldi (Caimani Rugby), Enrique Pieretto (Cordoba Atletic Club); Matteo Canali (Rugby Ariccia), Alessandro Ortombina (Rugby Club Valpolicella); Bautista Stavile (Mendoza Rugby Club), Samuele Locatelli (Rugby Lecco), Giacomo Ferrari (capt) (Unione Rugby Capitolina). Replacements: Giovanni Quattrini (Gattico Rugby), Paolo Buonfiglio (ASD Sesto Rugby), Luca Franceschetto (Amatori Rugby Vicenza), Guido Volpi (Circolo Universitario De Quilmes), Iacopo Bianchi (Vasari Rugby Arezzo), Thomas Dominguez (Club Atletico San Isidro), Mirko Belloni, Maro Zanon (Rugby Bassano)

Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU)