Munster delivered a commanding performance in Treviso, running in seven tries to secure a bonus-point victory over Benetton.
Clinical in attack and resolute in defence, even while reduced to 13 men, the province set the tone early and powered through to the final whistle.
Munster started with physicality and intent and after just five minutes were rewarded with a try by winger Calvin Nash. The finish in the right corner was superb with Jack Crowley nailing a tough touch line conversion.
The men in red opted to kick after a late tackle on Jeremy Loughman, but the long-range penalty swerved left of the uprights.
Brilliant execution between the midfield pairing in Alex Nankivell and Tom Farrell allowed the outside centre to storm down the left wing for his first URC try. Munster earnt their second score after just 17 minutes. Crowley was wide with the conversion leaving the visitors in the lead, 12-0.
Benetton looked like they were gaining momentum in the midfield with several line breaks, but an excellent defensive set from Munster forced a knock-on.
At 26 minutes, the hosts won a penalty from high tackle, with out-half Jacob Umaga slotting the ball for their first points of the match, 12-3.
Gavin Coombes scored a third try from close range, after bustling through the Benetton defence. Applause and celebration could be heard around Stadio Monigo from the Munster support. Crowley added the extras to extend the southern province’s lead.
Benetton came out of the blocks raring to go, with Umaga breaking away at speed, but Nankivell tracked back to tackle the number 10 just before the try line.
Jean Kleyn earned the visitors’ bonus point try, confirmed by the TMO, with Crowley adding the conversion. Munster extended their lead by 23 points.
Taking advantage at the lineout Benetton scored their first try of the game, Bernasconi spotting a gap in Munster’s defence and diving over at close range. Umaga converted, 10-26.
A superb fifth try came from a perfectly weighted Crowley kick, with a great finish from replacement Alex Kendellen in the left corner. The out-half kicked the conversion just wide, as the ball bounced off the posts. Minutes later captain Tadhg Beirne secured a sixth try. Crowley converted.
Crowley was sent to the bin at 63 minutes and Craig Casey at 65, the Munster men down to 13, but they held firm and conceded no points during this period.
Brian Gleeson scored a 78th minute try which Crowley converted, but it was Benetton that rounded off the fixture with an unconverted try in the final minute. The final score 15-45.
Round 15 Round up
Munster are back into the Top 8, sitting 6th as of Saturday, April 18th.
Alex Nankivell was the BKT Player of the Match.
Munster Rugby: Shane Daly (Gavin Coombes 72’); Calvin Nash, Tom Farrell (Dan Kelly 23’), Alex Nankivell. (Dan Kelly 72’), Andrew Smith; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey; Jeremy Loughman (Michael Milne ‘51), Diarmuid Barron (Lee Barrron 58’), Michael Ala’alatoa (Oli Jager 41’); Jean Kleyn, Tadhg Beirne (C) (Edwin Edogbo 59’); Tom Ahern (Brian Gleeson 59’), John Hodnett (Alex Kendellen 49’), Gavin Coombes (Ben O’Donovan 67’).
Replacements: Lee Barron, Michael Milne, Oli Jager, Edwin Edogbo, Brian Gleeson, Ben O’Donovan, Dan Kelly, Alex Kendellen.
