A COUPLE of rounds into the URC and 2023 champions Munster are two wins from as many starts following a hard-earned 23-20 defeat of Cardiff at windswept Thomond Park (attendance: 12, 033).
After a battling opening period, the sides retired 5-5 at the interval, with Munster’s try courtesy of Ruadhán Quinn.
Thereafter there was a flurry of tries, with forwards Gavin Coombes and Diarmuid Barron burrowing over for Munster.
There was a spectacular dropgoal from Jack Crowley, who also landed another five points from the boot in an awesome performance.
Musnter host Edinburg at Virgin Media Park, Cork on Friday.
Munster: Ben O’Connor, Shane Daly (Sean O’Brien ‘10), Dan Kelly, Alex Nankivell, Thaakir Abrahams; Jack Crowley (Tony Butler ’78), Ethan Coughlan (Paddy Patterson ’55); Jeremy Loughman (Josh Wycherley ’67), Niall Scannell, captain, (Diarmuid Barron ’25, Niall Scannell ‘40), Oli Jager (Ronan Foxe ’71); Jean Kleyn, Fineen Wycherley (Brian Gleeson ’60); Tom Ahern, Ruadhán Quinn (Jack O’Donoghue ’55), Gavin Coombes.
Replacements: Diarmuid Barron, Josh Wycherley, Ronan Foxe, Jack O’Donoghue, Brian Gleeson, Paddy Patterson, Tony Butler, Seán O’Brien.