Munster staged a second half comeback to win 37-28 with a try bonus point performance against Benetton in Treviso tonight.
The result moves the province to the top of Conference A, two points ahead of Glasgow who are playing Leinster on Saturday afternoon at the RDS.
With 11 changes from last weekend, the young Munster side led by the experienced Billy Holland showed great composure throughout the encounter in particular after a frantic start that saw the hosts claim an early 10-nil lead.
Tries from Rhys Marhsall, Dan Goggin, Shane Daly and Alby Mathewson secured the win in a clash that saw the lead shift on a number of occasions.
JJ Hanrahan produced a man-of-the-match performance on his 100th appearance in red with a 100% strike-rate off the tee, kicking four conversions and three penalties.
In front of an impressive Stadio Monigo crowd the hosts got off to an ideal start with a penalty from captain Tommaso Allan and a converted Tommaso Benvenuti try in the first eight minutes.
Munster’s reply was swift with Marshall on the end of a surge for the line after Academy number 8 Gavin Coombes was stopped just short.
The restart proved disastrous for the hosts as Darren Sweetnam got to the ball and instigated his own kick chase before Dan Goggin capitalised and ran in the province’s second try after 14 minutes.
The home side kept the pressure up and continued to build on the scoreboard with two successive Allan penalties restoring their lead.
The province hit back with a Hanrahan penalty before the Italians closed out the half with a Monty Ioane try to push his side four points ahead at the break, 21-17.
Benetton once again were on the front foot at the beginning of the second half and were awarded a penalty try for a Sweetnam infringement out wide, with the winger making his way to the sin bin for the first time in his career.
Although managing the next period with only 14 men it was Munster who scored through a Hanrahan penalty, and with his second coming after 55 minutes the deficit was reduced to five points.
Academy winger Shane Daly levelled the sides with his first provincial try on 60 minutes as he dived over in the corner. Hanrahan’s excellent conversion from the touchline saw Munster take a 28-30 lead.
There was no let up from Johann van Graan’s charges with scrum-half Mathewson scrambling his way over in the 67th minute for the bonus-point try. Hanrahan’s final conversion pushed the lead out to 28-37.
Munster: Mike Haley; Darren Sweetnam, Sammy Arnold (Alex McHenry, 77), Dan Goggin, Shane Daly; JJ Hanrahan (Bill Johnston, 77), Alby Mathewson (Neil Cronin, 72); Jeremy Loughman (Liam O’Connor, 60), Rhys Marshall (Kevin O’Byrne, 60), Stephen Archer (Ciaran Parker, 51 (blood); 79); Fineen Wycherley (Darren O’Shea, 60), Billy Holland (C); Jack O’Donoghue, Chris Cloete, Gavin Coombes (Dave O’Callaghan, 60).
Guinness PRO14 Round 20 Round-Up
JJ Hanrahan was awarded Man of the Match.
Stephen Archer made his 150th Guinness PRO14 appearance.
Three Academy players featured with Gavin Coombes and Shane Daly starting while Alex McHenry made his Munster debut off the bench.
Fineen Wycherley will be assessed for a knock to his leg.
Next Home Game
Tickets are available for Munster’s vital Guinness PRO14 Interpro derby against Connacht at Thomond Park on Saturday, April 27 (7.35pm).
Buy tickets for that game here.