WATCH: Free-scoring Munster Rugby stave off Scarlets comeback in 13-try spectacular

FREE-SCORING Munster Rugby racked up seven tries but conceded six in securing a fifth successive win in the BKT United Rugby Championship on Friday night when easing past the Scarlets 49-42 at Musgrave Park on Friday night.

The capacity attendance was treated to a try-fest with the Welsh visitors hitting back strongly in the closing half an hour to earn two bonus points after they trailed by a whopping 28 points in the third quarter.

While there was plenty to admire from Munster's display, the attack purred for much of the game, the defensive lapses which allowed the Scarlets back in the contest will cause plenty of food for thought.

The biggest ovation for the night was reserved for the introduction of long term injury victim RG Snyman as a replacement in the 63rd minute. The South Arican World Cup winner was making his first appearance for the province since October 2021.

Munster have now just three games to play in the URC regular season, their next outing is a home game against the Glasgow Warriors at Thomond Park on Saturday, March 25 before the province heads to South Africa for a two-game tour.

The sell-out attendance observed a minute's silence before kick-off as a mark of respect for two Limerick men, Tom Tierney and Brian O'Brien, both of whom were synonymous with Munster as part of distinguished rugby careers and who passed away during the past week.

Munster have now won their last five meetings with the Scarlets, this latest success boosting their position on the URC table.

Munster were quickly out if the blocks, building phases from the kick-off, before centre Antonie Frisch put Patrick Campbell away and the full-back sped up the right wing and away to the tryline.

Out-half Joey Carbery also duly added the extras for a 7-0 lead to the home side.

Munster lead Scarlets 14-0 after 20 minutes at Musgrave Park. Here's the home side's second try, which came from Calvin Nash.#RTERugby #MUNvSCA pic.twitter.com/AvFskNaCkR

— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) March 3, 2023

The Scarlets looked shell-shocked and the visitors found themselves under their own posts once more in the 12th minute when a beautifully disguised reverse pass from scrum-half Paddy Patterson found Limerick winger Calvin Nash who scampered over the tryline from just outside the '22.

It was the impressive Nash's 10th try at senior level. Carbery duly added the extras for 14-0.

The one way traffic continued as Munster bagged their third try in the 24th minute as Carbery and Nash combined to put Shane Daly over for another five-pointer following an excellent spall of ball retention from the home side.

Think quick @MunsterRugby's Patrick Campbell gets the #FriYAY party started #BKTURC #URC | #MUNvSCA pic.twitter.com/GimPxkyFQ3

— BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) March 3, 2023

The successful conversion from Carbery made it 21-0 to the home side.

Munster then had the bonus point in the bag on the 27th minute when scrum-Patterson sniped through a lacklustre Scarlets defence to touch down. Carbery also added the conversion for 28-0. 

To their credit, Scarlets hit back with a terrific opening try, dotted down by Joe Roberts in the 35th minute in the left corner following a flowing move. Sam Costelow also added the conversion for 28-7.

However, finished the half with their fifth try, the move this time finished by Daly, who was bagging his second try of the game. Carbery made it five from five off the kicking tee for 35-7 at half-time.

Munster fans welcome back RG Snyman after his lengthy absence. #RTERugby #MUNvSCA pic.twitter.com/VdCU8WCVdJ

— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) March 3, 2023

The second half opened with a second try for the visitors as powerful Tongan second-row Vaea Fifita dotted down, with Costelow again adding the conversion.

The try only served to spring Munster back into try-scoring mood and try machine Gavin Coombes touched down down from close range. It was the number eight's 33 tries for the province.

Carbery's successful conversion restored Munster's 28-point interval lead.

The see-saw nature of the scoring continued when Scarlets struck for their third try through another Tongan international Sione Kalamafoni on 54 minutes.

Costelow's successful conversion reduced Munster's advantage to 21 points, 42-21.

It was a question of game on at the hour mark as the Scarlets bagged the bonus point try through second-row Sam Lousi as Munster seemed to switch off in terms of concentration after making a host of replacements.

Castelow's conversion reduced Munster's advantage to just two converted tries at 42-28.

If Munster were starting to feel a little anxious a second try for the hard-working Nash provided the home side with breathing space at 47-28. The try brought Nash's tally for the season to four. Replacement Jack Crowley also successfully added the conversion.

The drama wasn't over yet, however, as replacement scrum-half Gareth Davies scooted through for the visitors fifth try of the night.

Costelow also added the conversion to make it a 14-point game once more at 49-35.

The Scarlets were then rewarded for some excellent, controlled relentless phase play as Tom Rogers grabbed their sixth try in the 77th minute.

The successful conversion left just seven points between the sides at 49-42.

Munster managed to maintain their advantage until full-time, much to the relief of the home supporters.

MUNSTER RUGBY: Patrick Campbell, Calvin Nash, Antoine Frisch, Malakai Fekitoa, Shane Daly; Joey Carbery, Paddy Patterson, Josh Wycherley, Diarmuid Barron, Roman Salanoa; Jean Kleyn, Fineen Wycherley, Jack O’Donoghue (CAPT), John Hodnett, Gavin Coombes. Replacements: Niall Scannell, Mark Donnelly, Keynan Knox, RG Snyman, Alex Kendellen, Ethan Coughlan, Jack Crowley, Jack O’Sullivan.

SCARLETS: Johnny McNicholl, Tom Rogers, Joe Roberts, Ioan Nicholas, Steff Evans, Sam Costelow, Dane Blacker, Kemsley Mathias, Shaun Evans, Sam Wainwright, Vaea Fifita, Sam Lousi, Josh Macleod (CAPT), Dan Davis, Sione Kalamafoni. Replacements: Taylor Davies, Steff Thomas, Javan Sebastian, Morgan Jones, Carwyn Tuipulotu, Gareth Davies, Dan Jones, Johnny Williams.

REFEREE: Ben Blain (Scotland)