Munster made it 10 wins in 11 games thanks to Friday night’s bonus-point win over Cardiff Blues in the Guinness PRO14 at a sold-out Irish Independent Park.

Tries from Chris Farrell, Jean Kleyn, CJ Stander, Conor Murray, Andrew Conway and Sammy Arnold secured the win in a clash that was much closer than the scoreline suggests.

Tyler Bleyendaal was outstanding off the tee with five conversions and a penalty as JJ Hanrahan also landed a touchline conversion.

The game saw Irish Independent Park sell out for the fourth time this season with the province on a 20-game unbeaten run at home.

Munster made six changes to the team that started last week’s Champions Cup quarter-final win as Mike Haley, Bleyendaal, Kevin O’Byrne, Billy Holland, Chris Cloete and Arno Botha came into the starting XV.

A late change to the announced team saw Darren Sweetnam come straight into the side to replace Keith Earls.

Peter O’Mahony stole an early Cardiff lineout to get Munster on the front foot and after the pack won a scrum penalty, Bleyendaal had a long-range shot at goal but the kick fell short.

Cardiff hit the front after their first attack as Rey Lee-Lo sliced through a gap in the Munster midfield and got his pass away to Tomos Williams.

The scrum-half had a lot to do but finished well and Gareth Anscombe’s conversion gave the visitors a 7-0 lead with eight minutes played.

The Munster response was perfect as they hit back with a Bleyendaal penalty before Farrell was over for the hosts’ first try after 16 minutes.

The score came after O’Mahony won a turnover yards from the Cardiff line and after Kevin O’Byrne was stopped just short, Murray fired a pass for the onrushing Farrell to score.

Munster kept the pressure on and after a clever lineout move was stopped just short, Kleyn crossed from close range for try number two after 29 minutes.

Bleyendaal’s conversion from out wide was spot on and Munster led 17-7.

Cardiff got the next score through their second converted try as they broke clear down the left and livewire full-back Matthew Morgan sent Aled Summerhill over. Anscombe’s conversion reduced the deficit to three points at the break, 17-14.

Cardiff made an excellent start to the second half and hit the front on 46 minutes thanks to a Lee-Lo try.

When Munster were penalised for a high tackle inside the 22, Tomos Williams went for the quick tap and passed for Lee-Lo to score from close range.

Having missed a penalty just after the break, Anscombe made no mistake this time and led 21-17

Munster again responded and replacement Stander, on his birthday, darted through a gap to score Munster’s third try on 50 minutes. Bleyendaal’s conversion saw Munster take a 24-21 lead.

Murray scored the bonus-point try on the hour as the scrum-half saw his try awarded after a lengthy consultation with the TMO.

Murray grounded the ball at the base of a ruck for the score and Bleyendaal added the extras for a 31-21 lead.

Munster made sure of the points with 15 minutes remaining as Farrell and Mike Haley combined to put Conway away in the right corner before a late Sammy Arnold effort rounded off a great night.

Munster are back in action against Benetton in Italy next week and face Connacht at Thomond Park on Saturday, April 27. Buy tickets here

Guinness PRO14 Round 19 Round-Up

Peter O’Mahony was awarded Man of the Match.

Sammy Arnold returned from injury to make his first appearance since January.

Munster: Mike Haley; Andrew Conway, Chris Farrell (Sammy Arnold, 75), Rory Scannell, Darren Sweetnam; Tyler Bleyendaal (JJ Hanrahan, 67), Conor Murray (Alby Mathewson, 37-40, 63); Dave Kilcoyne (Jeremy Loughman, 63), Kevin O’Byrne (Niall Scannell, 47), John Ryan (Stephen Archer, 53); Jean Kleyn (Tadhg Beirne, 55), Billy Holland; Peter O’Mahony (C), Chris Cloete, Arno Botha (CJ Stander, 45).

Final Home Game

Saturday, April 27

Munster v Connacht, Thomond Park, 7.35pm; Buy tickets here

Video | Kevin O’Byrne Interview