Munster secured top spot in the URC with a come from behind bonus-point win against a strong Ulster side at Thomond Park this evening.

The bonus-point win sees Munster secure first seed and Graham Rowntree’s side will now take on Ospreys at Thomond Park on Friday June 7th (7.35pm). Click here for ticket info.

Munster got the opening try after seven minutes when a number of lineouts in the Ulster 22 led to the home side going through the phases close to the Ulster line.

On a close-range carry, RG Snyman was tackled short of the line but brilliantly reached out to ground the ball. Jack Crowley notched the conversion to give Munster a 7-0 lead.

Ulster responded after 17 minutes when a strong maul saw Rob Herring peel off the back and crash over. John Cooney landed the conversion to level up the game at 7-7.

Five minutes later Munster were penalised for offside which allowed Cooney to give Ulster the lead with a kick at goal 7-10.

Munster had a number of opportunities for the remainder of the half to get points on the board but handling errors let them down. Ulster took advantage at the stroke of half-time when David McCann crashed over from close range which Cooney converted to give Ulster a 7-17 lead at the break.

Munster dominated the opening minutes of the second half but couldn’t come away with points. Instead a penalty infringement from Munster saw Cooney kick for three points but his effort came back off the post.

Munster responded with a lovely flowing move which saw Calvin Nash dot down in the corner with Crowley nailing the conversion from the touchline.

However, Ulster hit back straight away when a break from Cormac Izuchukwu saw the ball eventually get to Matty Rea who crossed for a try with Cooney converted.

The open nature of the second half continued when Munster hit back again and this time it was Shane Daly who got the try with Crowley converting. This left three points between the sides entering the final 20 minutes.

Munster got that all important fourth try through Eoghan Clarke who crossed off the back of a powerful maul. Crowley’s conversion came back off the upright which left just two points between the sides.

Crowley extended the lead to five points with a long-range penalty as Munster saw out the game to clinch top spot.

BKT URC Round 18 Round-Up

Calvin Nash was awarded the BKT URC Player of the Match.

Munster finish top of the URC table and will face Ospreys in the quarter-final next Friday at 7.35pm in Thomond Park. Ticket info here. 

Munster: Simon Zebo; Calvin Nash, Seán O’Brien, Rory Scannell, Shane Daly; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey; Jeremy Loughman, Niall Scannell, Stephen Archer; RG Snyman, Tadhg Beirne (C); Peter O’Mahony, Alex Kendellen, Jack O’Donoghue.

Replacements: Eoghan Clarke, John Ryan, Oli Jager, Tom Ahern, Gavin Coombes, Conor Murray, Joey Carbery, John Hodnett.