WATCH: Joey Carbery inspires Munster to Guinness PRO14 victory over Scarlets

JOEY Carbery turned in a Man of the Match display on his first start in 14 months as Munster recorded an emphatic 28-10 bonus point win over Scarlets in the Guinness PRO14 at a stormy Thomond Park on Friday night.

Munster, already assured of a Guinness PRO14 final showdown with Leinster in Dublin on March 27, led the game played in filthy wet and windy conditions 21-3 at half-time.

The home side kicked off the scoring in the 20th minute when powerful number eight Gavin Coombes struck for his ninth try on the season. Man of the Match Carbery converted for 7-0.

After Scarlets had opened their account with an Angus O'Brien penalty, Munster, who have now won 15 of their 17 fixtures to date this season, struck for their second try.

Carbery was the creator when making a terrific break from half way before linking with winger Shane Daly who dotted down. The out-half also duly added the conversion for 14-3.

Munster lost the unfortunate Fineen Wycherley to an injury and he was replaced by the promising young Alex Kendellen who was making his Munster senior debut.

26: TRY Munster!

Munster 14-3 Scarlets

Simply sensational feet from Joey Carbery as he marks his return to the starting XV with a brilliant assist for a Shane Daly try.

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First year Greencore Munster Rugby Academy player Kendellen was joined by young scrum-half Paddy Patterson in making his Munster senior bow. Their appearances off the bench brought to 52, the number of players who have represented the province so far this season.

The home side's third try arrived on the stroke of half time as Scarlets lost their Welsh international Aaron Shingler to a yellow card. Munster made the most of the numerical advantage when hooker Niall Scannell powered over off a well-executed maul, while Carbery superbly drilled the conversion over the crossbar through a howling wind.

A yellow card for Scarlets replacement Tevita Ratuva preceded Kevin O'Byrne's 58th-minute bonus point effort. There were 82 minutes on the clock when Steff Evans scored the visitors' consolation try.

Munster had tryscorers Kevin O’Byrne and Niall Scannell, both hookers, withdrawn from the action during the second half after picking up knocks, with the pair set to be assessed by the province's medical team.

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Munster have now won four of their last five fixtures against Scarlets whilst the Welsh region's only win at Thomond
Park since 2003 came in February 2017.

Munster have not been defeated by a Welsh region since the Scarlets, beat them at Parc y
Scarlets two years ago in March 2019.

MUNSTER: Mike Haley; Calvin Nash, Damien de Allende, JJ Hanrahan, Shane Daly; Joey Carbery, Nick McCarthy; James Cronin, Niall Scannell, Stephen Archer; Jean Kleyn, Billy Holland (CAPT); Fineen Wycherley, Jack O'Sullivan, Gavin Coombes.

Replacements: Kevin O'Byrne, Jeremy Loughman, John Ryan, Thomas Ahern, Alex Kendellen, Paddy Patterson, Jack Crowley, Darren Sweetnam.

SCARLETS: Johnny McNicholl; Tom Prydie, Tyler Morgan, Steff Hughes (CAPT), Steff Evans; Angus O’Brien, Dane Blacker; Steffan Thomas, Marc Jones, Pieter Scholtz, Morgan Jones, Sam Lousi, Aaron Shingler, Jac Morgan, Sione Kalamafoni.

Replacements: Taylor Davies, Kemsley Mathias, Alex Jeffries, Tevita Ratuva, Uzair Cassiem, Will Homer, Paul Asquith, Johnny Williams.

REFEREE: Sean Gallagher (IRFU)