Tries from Shane Daly, Lee Barron and Alex Kendellen, all converted by JJ Hanrahan, gave Munster a precious win over Zebre at Thomond Park to move the province up to fourth in the table after 12 rounds.

It was a hard-fought win against a Zebre side that had won all three games in last season’s 6 Nations window. The teams were tied at 7-7 after over an hour but tries from Kendellen on 64 minutes and Barron six minutes later earned the victory at Thomond.

A strong Munster start saw Tom Farrell kick in behind for a 50:22 to earn a lineout seven metres out. When the ball was worked in-field, an intentional knock-on from Zebre centre Giulio Bertaccini brought a yellow card and the visitors were down to 14 after just two minutes.

The forwards were unable to score from close range and Calvin Nash was hauled into touch just short of the right corner.

The pressure eventually told after six minutes when Farrell whipped a pass for Daly on the left wing and Daly finished brilliantly from 25 metres, outstripping one defender and barreling past three others over the line.

That was the cue for the rain to start pouring down but Hanrahan was still able to land a beautiful touchline conversion.

Munster were nearly in again on 12 minutes when Mike Haley, who was outstanding under the high ball all night, chipped in behind but Jack O’Donoghue was unable to gather and Zebre were off the hook.

With the conditions worsening, Munster were unable to maintain momentum and Zebre showed their quality as they grew into the game after a tough start.

The teams were level at the break after Zebre made a good spell of pressure count when flanker Bautista Stavile ran in under the posts from close range with Giacomo Da Re converting.

Paddy Patterson, on his 50th Munster appearance, looked to have put Munster back in front six minutes after the break when he gathered Farrell’s kick in behind and dived over. Hanrahan was lining up the conversion when the TMO intervened with the score ruled out for a knock-on.

Eager to get back in front, Munster were guilty of forcing things on 52 minutes when Nash made a break but the offload didn’t go to hand and the ball bounced into touch when Farrell looked to find a team-mate on the wing.

A forward pass spoiled a training ground lineout move but the pressue finally told on 64 minutes. An obstruction on Seán O’Brien as he chased a garryowen earned a penalty with Hanrahan kicking to the corner.

Munster’s lineout was good and the Zebre rearguard held out for a number of phases before Kendellen finally crossed from close range. Hanrahan’s conversion made it 14-7 and the win was secured minutes later.

An outstanding take in the air from Shane Daly was followed by a Zebre transgression at the breakdown and Hanrahan kicked into Zebre’s 22. The visitors were then pinged in the maul with JJ kicking for the corner and a combination of forwards and backs piled over the line with hooker Barron touching down.

Munster had nine minutes to chase a bonus point but were unable to create any further chances and had to be content with an important four points.

URC Round 12 Round-Up

Tom Farrell was named BKT URC Player of the Match.

Paddy Patterson made his 50th Munster appearance.

Alex Kendellen, Calvin Nash and JJ Hanrahan returned from injury.

Farrell, Michael Milne and Edwin Edogbo started after returning from international camp.

Munster Rugby: Mike Haley (Seán O’Brien, 57); Calvin Nash, Tom Farrell, Dan Kelly, Shane Daly; JJ Hanrahan, Paddy Patterson (Ethan Coughlan, 60); Michael Milne (Josh Wycherley, 56), Niall Scannell (Lee Barron, 50), Michael Ala’alatoa (John Ryan, 60); Jean Kleyn (Edwin Edogbo, 50-64 & 70) Fineen Wycherley; Gavin Coombes (Alex Kendellen, 47), Jack O’Donoghue (C), Brian Gleeson.