MUNSTER’S 40-30 bonus-point URC victory over Benetton in Treviso came at a cost with winger Calvin Nash sustaining an injury in the early stages of Saturday’s tie.
Nash, 25, picked-up what appeared to be a rib injury on 20 minutes and was forced to retire, replaced by prospective Scottish international Ben Healy and as a result there was rejig in the Munster backline with Joey Carberry switched to full-back and Shane Daly moved to the wing.
On a more positive note, Fineen Wycherley played 80 minutes on his first appearance in almost four months.
Paddy Patterson, Jack O’Sullivan, John Hodnett, Jean Kleyn, Antoine Frisch and Joey Carbery were the Munster try-scorers as the province recovered from a strong Benetton start which had them 12-0 ahead. Benetton led by 15-14 at the break.
Into the second half, Healy was sinbinned after he looked to have knocked on deliberately at which point Munster were 21-15 in front.
The contest was in the balance right up to the final ten minutes as Munster were under pressure for large spells of the second half but they played some excellent rugby, and were clinical in attack, to clinch the victory.
It was another all-action performance from Hodnett, who was deservedly named Player of the Match.
The win is Munster’s final match of a ten-game block, and their next outing is against Ospreys on Friday, February 17, at Thomond Park.
