Munster recorded a bonus point victory in Scotland this evening scoring seven tries en route to defeating Edinburgh 55-12 at Meggetland.
With tries from Andrew Conway, Denis Hurley, Damien Varley, Duncan Williams, Tommy O’Donnell and two penalty tries Munster won in emphatic fashion with JJ Hanrahan producing a 100% kicking display while Conor Murray also contributed.
Munster who are through to the knock-out stages of the competition are now 1 point behind second placed Glasgow and still in the hunt for a home semi-final.
Bezuidenhout opened the scoring for the home-side after a period of early pressure and the out-half powered over for the first try of the game after 8 minutes. Laidlaw was unable to add the difficult touchline conversion and 5 minutes later JJ Hanrahan got Munster underway when Edinburgh were penalised for going off their feet.
CJ Stander, who was once again in impressive form causing havoc for the Edinburgh defence, found space down the wing and showed great awareness to offload inside to flyer Andrew Conway who sprinted in for Munster’s first try under the posts. With JJ adding the extras Munster moved ahead by 5.
But Edinburgh were quick to react and resumed control of the game when attacking deep inside Munster’s 22 Willem Nel reached over for the Scots second try. Referee Mitrea consulted with the TMO for the grounding but once awarded Laidlaw made no mistake with the conversion and Edinburgh went ahead.
The score-line swung in Munster’s favour after a successful Hanrahan penalty and a well taken try by Denis Hurley was converted by the out-half just before the break. John Ryan instigated the initial Munster attack crashing up the middle, and breaking into Edinburgh territory. The extended Munster pressure paid off when breaking wide and Stander popped the ball back inside to Denis Hurley who weaved through the defence.
Munster returned to score five unanswered tries, all converted, in the second half with replacement hooker Damien Varley claiming the first score off a maul after the pack grinded their way over the line. With JJ adding the conversion Munster led 27-12 after 50 minutes.
The pack continued to turn the screw and after a succession of dominant scrums were rewarded with a penalty try 5 minutes later.
Duncan Williams then broke through for Munster’s fifth try after a skilful passage of offloading play from James Cronin released the replacement scrum-half into open space.
Edinburgh’s woes continued when reduced to 14 for the final 10 minutes with Gilchrist sent to the bin, and Munster were awarded their second penalty try. Conor Murray took over kicking duties and kicked his first points for Munster.
Rob Penney’s men rounded off their performance with a Tommy O’Donnell try scored in extra-time and Murray had the final say with his second kick at goal to give a final score, Edinburgh 12 Munster 55.
Munster: Simon Zebo, Gerhard van den Heever, Johne Murphy, Denis Hurley (Ian Keatley 68), Andrew Conway (Luke O’Dea HT), JJ Hanrahan (Conor Murray 68), Conor Murray (Duncan Williams 56), James Cronin (Dave Kilcoyne 67), Duncan Casey (Damien Varley 30), John Ryan (Alan Cotter 71), Donncha O'Callaghan, Paul O'Connell Capt. (Dave Foley 56), CJ Stander (James Coughlan 67), Tommy O'Donnell, Paddy Butler.
Referee: Marius Mitrea