Munster Rugby score vital bonus point win over Lions in URC

MUNSTER Rugby collected a maximum five-point haul when recording a vital 33-3 bonus point success over the Emirates Lions in the United Rugby Championship at a wet and windy Musgrave Park on Friday night.

Munster jumped up to fifth place in the URC ahead of the remaining games in this round after securing five tries in scoring a comprehensive victory over the South Africans.

The home side, who led 12-3, at half-time had two tries from replacement hooker Scott Buckley, while captain Jack O'Donoghue, scrum-half Paddy Patterson and winger Liam Coombes, who bagged the bonus point try in the 76th minute, also dotted down. 

Out-half Ben Healy, who departs Munster for Edinburgh next summer, added four conversions.

The win was a timely one for Munster who were playing their third game in just 12 days. Next up for Graham Rowntree's side are two crucial fixtures in the Heineken Champions Cup beginning with the January 14 meeting with Northampton Saints at Thomond Park, 3.15pm.

Munster’s only loss in the last five rounds of the BKT United Rugby Championship was the single point defeat at home to Leinster on St. Stephen’s Day.

The Munstermen have won their last five matches at Musgrave Park since Edinburgh beat them there in November 2019.

Munster held a useful 9-point half-time lead at the end of the opening half which was played in filthy wet and windy conditions.

The visiting Lions, powered by their impressive scrum, hit the front in the sixth minute of the contest through a penalty goal from out-half Jordan Hendrikse.

Munster hit back with the game's opening try six minutes later. Replacement hooker Scott Buckely, who had come on for Diarmuid Barron, was credited with the touchdown off the back of a powerful maul.

The home side increased their advantage in the 28th minute when striking for their second try through captain Jack O'Donoghue.

Tryscorer O'Donoghue created the initial opening when powering through the Lions defence initially, before passing back inside to scrum-half Paddy Patterson who got closer to the line before being hauled down.

Munster succeeded in recycling the ball and the astute O'Donoghue cleverly touched down. Out-half Ben Healy added the conversion for good measure to help the home side into a two-score lead at the break.

The home side strengthened their grip on the game 10 minutes after the restart when lively scrum-half Patterson spotted an unprotected ruck and powered his way through it before racing through to score from just outside the '22.

Healy's successful conversion put 16 points between the sides.

Twenty five scoreless minutes followed as both sides rung the changes and the home support wondered if a bonus point would elude their side.

However, winger Liam Coombes claimed the bonus point try when showing neat footwork and impressive pace to blaze over. 

There was also time for replacement hooker Buckley to grab his second five-pointer off the game, following a well-executed maul.

MUNSTER RUGBY: Mike Haley, Shane Daly, Malakai Fekitoa, Rory Scannell, Liam Coombes, Ben Healy, Paddy Patterson, Josh Wycherley, Diarmuid Barron, Roman Salanoa, Jean Kleyn, Gavin Coombes, Jack O'Donoghue (CAPT), John Hodnett, Alex Kendellen. Replacements: Scott Buckley, Dave Kilcoyne, Stephen Archer, Cian Hurley, Jack O'Sullivan, Conor Murray, Dan Goggin, Patrick Campbell.

EMIRATES LIONS: Quan Horn, Stean Pienaar, Henco van Wyk, Marius Louw (CAPT), Edwill van der Merwe, Jordan Hendrikse, Morne van den Berg, JP Smith, PJ Botha, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Ruan Venter, Darrien Landsberg, Jarod Cairns, Emile van Heerden, Emmanuel Tshituka. Replacements: Michael van Vuuren, Morgan Naude, Ruan Smith, Willem Alberts, Sibusiso Sangweni, Andre Warner, Gianni Lombard, Manuel Rass.

REFEREE: Hollie Davidson (IRFU)