Munster scored seven tries en route to a 41-14 win against Ulster at Thomond Park which brings Clayton McMillan’s side up to fifth in the URC table.

Four tries from John Hodnett and three tries from Alex Kendellen secured the result for Munster in a performance which really kicked in for the home side during the second half.

Unfortunately for Munster, there were a number of injuries picked up during the game.

It was all Ulster in the opening 15 minutes and they eventually took a deserved lead when Aitzol Arenzana-King went over in the corner. Jake Flannery converted from the touchline to give Ulster a 0-7 lead after 14 minutes.

During this time Jean Kleyn went off for a HIA and he was replaced by Edwin Edogbo. Although Kleyn returned, he soon went off with an injury as Edogbo replaced him permanently.

During a promising Munster attack, Ulster’s Tom Brigg received a yellow card for a deliberate slap down of the ball. From the ensuing penalty, Hanrahan kicked to the corner and from the ensuing rolling maul, John Hodnett peeled off to dive over for Munster’s first try. Hanrahan’s conversion attempt just went wide as Ulster held a slender two point lead after 24 minutes played.

Munster took the lead five minutes later when Hodnett got over from close range with the help of teammate Tom Ahern. Hanrahan’s conversion put Munster 12-7 in front. Unfortunately in the build up, Calvin Nash, who was making his 100th cap for Munster, picked up an injury and he received a standing ovation from the Thomond Park as he left the field. He was replaced by Dan Kelly.

Seven minutes into the second half, Munster got their third try. A lovely pass from Kelly put Andrew Smith into space down the left wing before the winger sent a pass back inside to Ahern. The big Waterford man was brought down just short of the line but Alex Kendellen was next on the scene to collect the ball and crash over. Hanrahan’s conversion was wide as Munster took a 17-7 lead. Unfortunately for Munster, in the few minutes preceding this try, Tom Farrell was removed with an arm injury while Oli Jager departed for a HIA.

A few minutes later, Kendo went over for his second try as the Cork man collected the ball from 5m out, buried the head and powered through a few Ulster tackles to cross the line under the posts. This secured the bonus-point for Munster as Hanrahan’s conversion put Munster 24-7 in front.

John Hodnett completed his hat-trick two minutes later when two superb pieces of skill from Craig Casey and Gavin Coombes sent Hodnett in for his third try. With an overlap created on the right hand side, Casey sent out a pass behind the back to Ahern who then passed to Gavin Coombes. The Skibbereen man then produced a bit of magic himself when he flung a reverse pass to Hodnett and the Rosscarbery man then ran in for his third try. Hanrahan’s conversion went wide as Munster took a 29-7 lead.

Ulster did get a try back on 65 minutes when their maul did enough to allow hooker John Andrew the chance to dive over for his side’s second try. Flannery’s conversion reduced Munster’s advantage to 15 points.

Hodnett soon went over for his fourth try when Munster sent the ball wide to Kelly and the centre did brilliantly to draw in the covering Ulster player before releasing the ball to Hodnett. The back-row had enough to get himself to the line and also enough strength to receive the tackle of Dave Shanhan before grounding the ball. Hanrahan’s conversion went wide as Munster took a 34-14 lead.

A ball out the back from Ulster went to ground and Kendellen hacked the ball downfield, the back-row then used his soccer skils to deftly kick the ball forward as he won the foot race to ground the ball. This was Kendellen’s third try in 25 minutes since entering the fray five minutes into the second half.

With the match entering the final 10 minutes, Munster led 41-14 and they almost increased that lead went Smith was sent through a gap before the flying winger drew in the final defender to release the ball to Ben O’Donovan for what looked to be his first Munster try. However, the TMO intervened for an obstruction from Munster in the build up.

Ulster had territory in the final few minutes but they couldn’t get over for another try as Munster secured the bonus-point win.

URC Round 16 Round-Up

Jack Crowley was withdrawn before the game after pulling up during the warm-up. He was replaced by JJ Hanrahan.

Munster are now up to fifth in the URC table.

Munster Rugby: Shane Daly; Calvin Nash (Kelly 29′), Tom Farrell (Kendellen 45′), Alex Nankivell, Andrew Smith; JJ Hanrahan, Craig Casey; Jeremy Loughman (Milne 55′), Diarmuid Barron (L Barron 55′), Oli Jager(Ala’alatoa 47′); Jean Kleyn (Edogbo 5′ HIA 15′ 17′), Tadhg Beirne (C) (Gleeson 55′); Tom Ahern, John Hodnett, Gavin Coombes.

Replacements: Lee Barron, Michael Milne, Michael Ala’alatoa, Edwin Edogbo, Brian Gleeson, Ben O’Donovan, Dan Kelly, Alex Kendellen.