Munster rounded off the 2020/21 season with a bonus-point victory over Zebre to make it 20 wins in 25 fixtures this season.
Two tries apiece for Gavin Coombes and Craig Casey wrapped up the try bonus-point by half-time with further tries from Niall Scannell, Liam Coombes and another two for Gavin Coombes securing the victory.
Gavin Coombes’ four tries saw him finish the campaign with 15 tries in 22 appearances.
Joey Carbery kicked six conversions with Academy out-half Jake Flannery adding the seventh. Billy Holland stepped up for the final conversion from the right touchline but dragged it wide as he played the 247th game of a magnificent career with Munster.
Gavin Coombes scored his first on nine minutes after taking a quick-tap and showing great footwork to score with Joey Carbery slotting the conversion for a 7-0 lead.
Zebre were enterprising throughout and Carlo Canna kicked two penalties midway through the half to narrow the lead to a point.
Casey dived over from short range for the second Munster try on 27 minutes following a slick backline move off a lineout with Matt Gallagher and Andrew Conway both tackled just short of the line before Casey struck.
Coombes was over for the third after a nice lineout move that saw the no.8 peel off and power over the line.
The bonus-point was secured on the stroke of half-time as Carbery chipped over the top and Chris Farrell gathered before offloading for Casey to finish and give Munster a 28-6 half-time lead.
Niall Scannell scored the fifth try on 46 minutes off a rolling maul to increase the lead before a fantastic Carbery recovery tackle saved a certain Zebre try.
Federico Mori did score a try for Zebre in the right touchline with the score no more than Zebre deserved after a battling performance from the Italians.
Liam Coombes ran in for the sixth try after Mori attempted to chip over the winger but Coombes jumped up to pick off the kick and race in to score with Carbery again adding the conversion.
Gavin Coombes was in for his second hat-trick of the season after the ball went loose in midfield and the Skibbereen man showed his pace to streak away and score.
Academy out-half Jake Flannery knocked over the conversion to make it 49-11 and there was a fourth try for Coombes late on as he sneaked down the blindside to score in the right corner.
Holland was unable to add the conversion but it was a strong finish to the season for the province.
Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup Round 5 Round-Up
Craig Casey was named Guinness Player of the Match.
Gavin Coombes’ four tries saw him finish the campaign with 15 tries in 22 appearances.
Billy Holland played his 247th and final game for Munster after a brilliant career.
Nick McCarthy also played his final game for the province ahead of his return to Leinster.
Munster: Matt Gallagher; Andrew Conway, Chris Farrell, Rory Scannell, Liam Coombes; Joey Carbery (Jake Flannery, 62), Craig Casey (Nick McCarthy, 68); Dave Kilcoyne (Liam O’Connor, 52), Niall Scannell (Kevin O’Byrne, 52), John Ryan (Roman Salanoa, 52); Jean Kleyn (Thomas Ahern, 62), Fineen Wycherley (Billy Holland, 68); Peter O’Mahony (C), Jack O’Donoghue (Chris Cloete, 62), Gavin Coombes.