WATCH: Five-star Munster score bonus point Champions Cup win at Gloucester

CLINICAL Munster thumped Gloucester 41-15 to record a hugely impressive bonus point win in their Heineken Champions Cup fixture at Kingsholm on Friday night.

Munster scored five tries, including a brace for Man of the Match Joey Carbery, as Johann van Graan’s side made it six successive wins over the Cherry and Whites in Europe.

Fly-half Carbery bagged a hugely impressive 26 points in all as Munster cemented their place at the top of Pool 2.

Munster's 26-point winning margin amounted to a record defeat for Gloucester in European competition.

Munster, took a commanding 17-point lead into half-time, 20-3, after the visitors scored two first half tries. 

Out-half Joey Carbery, who also kicked 10 first half points, crossed for an excellent 26th minute try. 

Munster made big gains off Conor Murray’s pin-point box-kicks, with the Gloucester back-three struggling under the high ball.

The crucial score of the half arrived with the clock in the red zone after centre Rory Scannell powered over for a terrific try after Munster racked up 26 phases with superb ball retention, discipline and patience.

Munster added three further tries in the second half from play-maker Carbery, Keith Earls and Andrew Conway to seal a resounding win.

The one downside for Munster was the rip injury sustained by team captain Peter O'Mahony in the second half which forced the flanker to be replaced.

Second-placed Castres Olympique travel to play Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park on Sunday afternoon.

Munster complete their programme of Champions Cup pool fixture with a home tie against Exeter Chiefs at a ‘sold-out’ Thomond Park on Saturday, January 19, 5.30pm.

SCORERS: Gloucester: Ollie Thorley, Fraser Balmain try each, Billy Twelvetrees pen, con. Munster: Joey Carbery two tries, two pens, five cons, Rory Scannell, Keith Earls, Andrew Conway try each.

GLOUCESTER: Tom Hudson; Charlie Sharples, Billy Twelvetrees, Mark Atkinson, Ollie Thorley; Danny Cipriani, Callum Braley; Josh Hohneck, Henry Walker, Fraser Balmain, Ed Slater, Gerbrandt Grobler, Franco Mostert, Lewis Ludlow, Ben Morgan (Capt). Replacements: Franco Marais, Alex Seville, Ciaran Knight, Freddie Clarke, Gareth Evans, Ben Vellacott, Owen Williams, Henry Trinder.

MUNSTER: Mike Haley; Andrew Conway, Chris Farrell, Rory Scannell, Keith Earls; Joey Carbery, Conor Murray; Dave Kilcoyne, Niall Scannell, Stephen Archer, Jean Kleyn, Tadhg Beirne, Peter O'Mahony (capt), Tommy O'Donnell, CJ Stander. Replacements: Rhys Marshall, Jeremy Loughman, John Ryan, Billy Holland, Arno Botha, Alby Mathewson, Tyler Bleyendaal, Dan Goggin.

REFEREE: Romain Poite (France)