MUNSTER has defeated Scarlets 43 – 13 in the third round of the URC at the the Parc y Scarlets.
An irregular Munster team left their mark on Llanelli this after noon, beating Scarlets by 43 – 13 in the third round of the United Rugby Championship. Munster have now won all 3 of their opening URC games, while Scarlets suffer their second loss of the season.
Despite the omission of many key Munster players, the squad which Munster Head Coach Johann Van Graan did select to play in the away fixture showcased just how much of an impact they can make.
The opening try came from Munster number eight Jack O’Sullivan in the game’s fourth minute, it wasn’t long until Munster crossed the Scarlets line again in the form of Liam Coombes, followed by Ben Healy trading penalty kicks with Scarlets out-half Sam Costelow.
After a disallowed try from Steff Evans, Scarlets got their first and only try of the game thanks to fullback Johnny McNicholl, who was at the end of a perfectly weighted grubber kick from Costelow.
Although Scarlets came within four points of their opponent, they began to struggle with the intensity brought by the Munster attack which saw Calvin Nash diving in the corner to score Munster’s third try of the game.
Munster hit the Ground running in the second half with prop Jeremy Loughman finishing off a great forwards try, afforded by a powerful rolling maul with Healy adding the conversion.
Scarlets made a number of substitutions with the aim of slowing Munster down, however Liam Coombes countered their efforts with a second try.
After a clean break from Jack O’Donoghue, the back-row sent a grubber kick through for Coombes to compete for with the Cork native snatching the ball from Wales veteran Johnathan Davies.
The day went sour for Munster when replacement second-row RG Snyman left the field limping just minutes after coming on, this was Snyman’s third appearance for Munster since returning from a year long injury hiatus.
However despite the loss of Snyman, Munster back-row Chris Cloete kept the tempo high with a diving finish over the Scarlets try line to extend Munster’s already handsome lead.
Munster would conclude the games closing 15 minutes scoreless, however the game’s final section would see the clubs younger players thrive in their first run out in the URC. Namely, Jack Crowley, Josh Wycherley, Paddy Patterson and former Ireland U20 captain, Alex Kendellen.
Munster will host fellow Irish province Connacht in Thomond Park next weekend on Saturday 16th of October, with kick-off at 7:35pm.
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