Munster bag bonus-point derby win over Leinster

Four-try Munster came from behind to see off Leinster with something to spare in their interprovincial Pro12 derby at Thomond Park.

An early try from Zane Kirchner for Leinster was cancelled out by scores from Simon Zebo, Ronan O’Mahony, Tommy O’Donnell and CJ Stander as Munster outmuscled their eastern neighbours.

Richardt Strauss crossed for a consolation for Leinster late on but the bragging rights were won by that stage.

The game’s opening score came for the visitors with Kirchner picking a beautiful line off Ross Byrne to scythe through the defence and go over to dot down, with Isa Nacewa slotting the conversion.

Munster responded through Zebo. After some patient build-up play, Conor Murray found the winger out wide, who showed great strength to power over in the corner. Tyler Bleyendaal added the extras.

A Nacewa penalty edged Leinster back ahead in the tie but Munster were to have the last word in the first half as a series of play with more than 20 phases saw O’Mahony cross for a five-pointer in the right corner with Bleyendaal slotting the conversion.

And it was only to get better for the Munstermen in the second half. They got a third try through Murray sending a crossfield kick into the corner where O’Donnell beat Barry Daly to the ball to touch down.

And the bonus point was secured when the Munster pack devoured the men in blue with a maul to crash over, Stander the man credited with the try, before Bleyendaal pushed the home team further ahead with a penalty.

Leinster struck for a second try as Strauss broke off a maul to crash over, which Nacewa converted, but it merely added gloss to the scoreline, as Munster came home handy winners.

Photo: Inpho/Gary Carr

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