WATCH: Clinical Munster score bonus point win in Cardiff

CLINICAL Munster secured a maximum five-point haul in the Guinness PRO14 on Saturday night when easing past the Cardiff Blues 33-23 at a wet Cardiff Arms Park.

The bonus point win was the ideal boost for Munster ahead of the return of their 12 Ireland internationals from World Cup duty to the squad on Monday as well as crucial upcoming fixtures against Ulster next Saturday in the Pro14 and the Ospreys in the Heineken Champions Cup in two weeks' time.

Visitors Munster ran in four tries in all, including two in the second half from their vastly experienced All-Black scrum-half Alby Mathewson to seal an impressive victory.

The sides had been tied 13-13 at the end of the opening half. Munster managed one try in the opening half through South African flanker Chris Cloete on 23 minutes, while out-half JJ Hanrahan added a conversion and two penalty goals.

Home side Cardiff, who had lost their three Pro14 fixtures prior to kick off, hauled themselves level at the break when prop Corey Domachowski dotted down just before the break.

Munster stunned their opponents with three second half tries from Mathewson on 47 minutes and 66 minutes, while Limerick winger Calvin Nash also crossed the whitewash in the 59th minute as the visitors eased clear.

It’s @Munsterrugby that strike first in the second half @AlbyMathewson finishes off a great break from Sam Arnold

Grandstand finish?#GuinnessPRO14 #CBLvMUN
Watch Live Now on @PremierSportsTV
Watch Live Now on @eirSport & @TG4TV
Watch Live Now on @SuperSportTV pic.twitter.com/YxKXOa0bXE

— PRO14 RUGBY (@PRO14Official) November 2, 2019

Munster, who were claiming their first win at the Arms Park since March 2017, have now lost only one of their last seven fixtures with Welsh opposition.

The game saw a welcome first start since March for Munster winger Alex Wootton who has recovered from an unfortunate knee injury.

Munster’s Johann van Graan rung 11 changes to the side that defeated Ospreys last time out for Saturday night's game with only the quartet of Jack O’Donoghue, Dan Goggin, Calvin Nash and Shane Daly retaining their places.

It’s been a real arm-wrestle at Cardiff Arms Park so far, but Chris Cloete drives over to put @Munsterrugby ahead

More action to come? #GuinnessPRO14 #CBLvMUN
Watch Live Now on @PremierSportsTV
Watch Live Now on @eirSport & @TG4TV
Watch Live Now on @SuperSportTV pic.twitter.com/qcRQWBmuPA

— PRO14 RUGBY (@PRO14Official) November 2, 2019

The all-new starting front row saw Jeremy Loughman and Kevin O’Byrne scrum down with Academy prop Keynan Knox on his first Guinness PRO14 start, with Darren O’Shea and Fineen Wycherley forming the second row partnership.

Sammy Arnold made his first start of the season as he joined the impressive Goggin in midfield.

@MunsterRugby take the win @cardiff_blues didn't make it easy, though ⚪️

What did you make of the game? #CBLvMUN #GuinnessPRO14 pic.twitter.com/LrXpXQP9xo

— PRO14 RUGBY (@PRO14Official) November 2, 2019

SCORERS: Munster: Alby Mathewson two tries, Chris Cloete, Calvin Nash try each, JJ Hanrahan three pens, two cons. Cardiff: Corey Domachowski, Mick Williams try each, Jarrod Evans three pens, con, Jason Tovey con. 

CARDIFF BLUES: Matthew Morgan; Jason Harries, Rey Lee-Lo, Garyn Smith, Aled Summerhill; Jarrod Evans, Lloyd Williams (Capt); Corey Domachowski, Liam Belcher, Scott Andrews, Josh Turnbull, Rory Thornton, Shane Lewis-Hughes, Olly Robinson, Will Boyde. Replacements: Kirby Myhill, Brad Thyer, Keiron Assiratti, Seb Davies, Nick Williams, Lewis Jones, Jason Tovey, Willis Halaholo.

MUNSTER: Shane Daly; Calvin Nash, Sammy Arnold, Dan Goggin, Alex Wootton; JJ Hanrahan, Alby Mathewson; Jeremy Loughman, Kevin O’Byrne, Keynan Knox; Fineen Wycherley, Darren O’Shea; Jack O’Donoghue (Capt), Chris Cloete, Arno Botha. Replacements: Diarmuid Barron, Liam O’Connor, Stephen Archer, Jed Holloway, Conor Oliver, Nick McCarthy, Tyler Bleyendaal, Rory Scannell.

REFEREE: Stuart Berry (South Africa)