Seven-try Munster get job done while Edinburgh cling on against Ospreys
Munster wing Sean O'Brien in action.
Munster claimed a much-needed 45-29 bonus-point win over Zebre Parma in Cork on Friday that moves them up to fifth in the United Rugby Championship (URC) standings.
Crossings from Ruadhan Quinn (2), Mike Haley, RG Snyman, Sean O’Brien, Antoine Frisch and Shane Daly saw Graham Rowntree’s charges to a maximum haul at home.
Muhamed Hasa, Thomas Dominguez, Geronimo Prisciantelli and Dylan de Leeuw went over in reply for Zebre Parma, who impressively picked up a try bonus point in defeat.
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Another positive on the night for Munster was fly-half Tony Butler’s 10 points from the tee as he celebrated signing his first senior contract.
The sharpness the Irish province showed in winning a friendly against Harlequins last week was evident when Snyman offloaded off the ground for Quinn to cross in the fifth minute.
Full-back Haley surged clear for the hosts’ second try soon after, with Butler’s crisp conversion making it 12-0.
Centre Damiano Mazza drew Zebre downfield before prop Hasa crashed over. Argentinian full-back Prisciantelli converted, and also kicked a penalty following Quinn’s yellow card for a ruck infringement.
Snyman managed to score before Quinn’s return, spinning out of a tackle to go over from close range before a purposeful 33rd-minute attack ended with winger O’Brien bagging the bonus point for the hosts, with Butler tagging on both conversions.
The quick-thinking Craig Casey played in Frisch for the hosts’ fifth try, just before half-time, and Ennis youngster Butler converted with his easiest kick.
Daly had a try ruled out for a knock-on before Quinn picked off Luca Bigi’s long lineout throw to score on the hour mark, with Butler’s boot making it 40-10 and seemingly putting Zebre out of contention.
However, the visitors refused to lie down and Scott Gregory’s turnover led to a try for Zebre replacement Dominguez, who was released by Simone Gesi.
Prisciantelli then won the race to his own kick through in the 68th minute, and with six minutes left, replacement De Leeuw barged over the line, following Gesi’s initial burst into the 22 as Zebre closed the gap to 40-29.
While frustrated to leak those tries, Munster did sign off with their seventh of the night when Daly sped over from the left wing thanks to Haley’s midfield spark.
Edinburgh cling on for home win
Elsewhere on Friday, Edinburgh survived a late onslaught from the Ospreys as they held on to secure a 19-15 victory at Hive Stadium that takes them up to fourth in the URC.
The Scottish side looked in command when they led 16-3 at the break, although the spirited Welsh threatened a comeback victory with a strong second-half display in which both Sam Parry and Morgan Morris pushed their way over.
Edinburgh were able to field some of their Scotland contingent in the shape of Harry Paterson, Ben Healy, Sam Skinner, Glen Young and Hamish Watson, while others like Duhan van der Merwe, Ewan Ashman, Grant Gilchrist, Jamie Ritchie and Pierre Schoeman were given the weekend off to rest ahead of the national team’s match in Italy next Saturday.
Ospreys – buoyed by five consecutive victories since Christmas – began the stronger of the two teams and they got the first points on the board when Dan Edwards sent a penalty between the posts in the 12th minute.
However, the visitors were unable to sustain their bright start and Edinburgh seized the initiative with an impressive 17th-minute try in their first notable attack of the match.
Bill Mata powered his way forward after a line-out before laying off to Matt Currie who darted towards the line and then offloaded for Watson, who had an easy finish.
Ospreys lost their discipline in the second quarter, allowing Healy to kick three penalties and open up a 16-3 advantage for the hosts at the interval.
The Welsh outfit got themselves back in the game in the 47th minute when hooker Parry forced his way over from the back of a line-out. Edwards hit the upright with his conversion attempt.
After Healy missed a penalty, Ospreys cranked up the pressure on their hosts when replacement Morris powered his way over from close range in the 68th minute following a spell of pressure in front of the line. Owen Williams’ conversion brought the visitors within a point.
A Healy penalty in the 73rd minute gave Edinburgh some breathing space, although Ospreys made them sweat until the very end before ultimately falling short in their comeback bid. The victory moved the hosts up to fourth in the table.