Munster ran out convincing winners by six tries to one at Parc y Scarlets as Graham Rowntree’s side finished strongly to secure a bonus-point win in Round 10 of the BKT United Rugby Championship.
Mike Haley and RG Snyman returned from injury to make their first starts of the season as Munster built on a 14-0 half time lead to wrap up their first away win in the competition since winning the final in Cape Town last May.
Munster’s defence was excellent when called upon and the pack delivered the bonus point with four tries before the win was completed out wide by Sean O’Brien and from deep by Academy player Shay McCarthy.
Gavin Coombes brought his Munster haul to 42 tries in 88 appearances with two trademark scores, while Jack O’Sullivan also scored after a tapped penalty and lock Tom Ahern again showed his pace out wide to score.
Ahern and Snyman, both 6’9”, completed the biggest lock partnership to compete in the league’s history and both made big contributions to this win.
Munster led 14-0 at the break with Coombes going over twice after tapped penalties. Joey Carbery was flawless off the tee and kicked all six conversions, some of them from out wide.
Scarlets hit back after the break and Joe Roberts pulled back a fine try after being sent through by his centre partner Eddie James.
But Munster resumed control and O’Sullivan got over for the third try after a tapped penalty.
The bonus point was secured by Ahern after an inside pass from Sean O’Brien after 66 minutes.
And then O’Brien got in for his first Munster try seven minutes from time when he held off tackles to score in the right corner.
The night in Llanelli ended on a high for Munster when academy player Shay McCarthy got his second try for the province after a break from inside their own half by Carbery and Shane Daly.
URC Round 1o Round-Up
Three Academy players featured in the win, Ruadhán Quinn, Ethan Coughlan and Shay McCarthy with McCarthy scoring his first URC try.
RG Snyman and Mike Haley made their first appearances of the season.
Seán O’Brien scored his first Munster try.
Gavin Coombes was named Player of the Match.
Ruadhán Quinn and RG Snyman both departed for a HIA.
Munster: Mike Haley (Shay McCarthy, 72); Seán O’Brien, Antoine Frisch, Alex Nankivell (Rory Scannell, 64); Shane Daly; Joey Carbery, Conor Murray (Ethan Coughlan, 47-53 & 64); Jeremy Loughman (Josh Wycherley, 49), Niall Scannell (Eoghan Clarke, 67), Oli Jager (John Ryan, 52); Tom Ahern, RG Snyman (Fineen Wycherley, 41-44 & 53); Ruadhán Quinn (Jack O’Sullivan, 44), Alex Kendellen (C), Gavin Coombes.