THEY MADE HARD work of it but Munster will finish the regular URC top of the table and enjoy home advantage throughout the knockouts stages after overcoming a spirited Ulster side at Thomond Park. Graham Rowntree’s side took an early lead through RG Snyman but fell behind as Ulster fought back and threatened an upset in Limerick. The visitors led from the 16th minute until the 69th as Munster finished strong to avoid conceding top spot in the table.
Munster will be back at Thomond Park for their quarter-final next weekend and will enjoy home advantage again in the semi-finals and final should they advance. Quarter-final details are to be confirmed by the URC. Munster were poor for large parts of this contest but finished on top thanks to some big impacts off the bench – with RG Snyman, Calvin Nash, Shane Daly and Eoghan Clarke scoring the four Munster tries.
Ulster made two late changes ahead of kick-off, with fullback Ethan McIlroy and centre Stuart McCloskey replaced by Stewart Moore and Jude Postlethwaite, while Dave Ewers and Aaron Sexton came onto the bench. In beautiful Limerick sunshine Munster came out firing, building pressure in the Ulster 22 straight from kick-off. Yet they were perhaps fortunate not to lose Snyman to an early card, the second row catching Will Addison high as the Ulster centre attempted to run the ball from the in-goal area.
After a TMO review referee Frank Murphy was happy to award a penalty only. Ulster’s frustration was further compounded.
