Munster secured a much-needed 21-7 win over Zebre within the United Rugby Championship, being made to work laborious earlier than pulling clear within the second half at a drenched Thomond Park on Saturday.
With three defeats of their final 4 URC outings – towards Leinster, Ulster and Glasgow Warriors – and having made 10 adjustments from the aspect that misplaced to Glasgow Warriors final month, this consequence will regular the ship considerably for the Irish province.
After moving into stage at half-time at seven factors apiece, Munster edged forward within the second interval with a late brace of tries from Alex Kendellen and Lee Barron, these scores securing Clayton McMillan’s aspect their first win in Limerick since October.
Munster had the vast majority of early territory and stress, with a fantastically judged kick from Tom Farrell handing the hosts a line-out simply seven metres from the Zebre line.
That stress intensified when Giulio Bertaccini was proven a yellow card two minutes in for a deliberate knock-on, as Munster threatened to attain beneath the posts.
Regardless of being decreased to 14 males, Zebre initially stood agency, however winger Shane Daly demonstrated his explosive tempo and stormed over within the left nook after six minutes, getting Munster off the mark, JJ Hanrahan including the conversion.
A sudden downpour swept throughout Thomond Park, making dealing with more and more treacherous, but Munster continued to probe.
The hosts generated fast ruck ball and a intelligent grubber from Mike Haley nearly put captain Jack O’Donoghue in beneath the posts, however the ball slipped ahead on the essential second.
Munster managed territory for a lot of the opening quarter, working patiently by phases as Zebre had been compelled into heavy defensive shifts.
Steadily the Italian guests discovered a foothold and simply after the half-hour mark, Samuele Locatelli broke Munster’s line of defense, with flanker Bautista Stavile scoring beneath the posts. Giacomo Da Re added the extras.
Munster had one closing alternative earlier than the interval, however one other spilt ball within the moist situations allowed Zebre to clear.
