Leinster remain the only team with a 100 per cent winning record in the United Rugby Championship after they overcame rivals Munster 27-13 at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.
Leo Cullen’s men were once again too good for the Limerick outfit, despite signs that Graham Rowntree’s men are improving.
Munster have struggled at the start of this season under new head coach Rowntree, but their previous two performances have been steps in the right direction.
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They defeated last season’s runners-up, the Bulls, last weekend and followed that it up with a physical display against a strong Leinster side.
The match was finely poised at the interval as Scott Penny touched down for the hosts, while Joey Carbery kicked two penalties for the Munstermen.
Rowntree’s charges then went ahead via Liam Coombes and a shock was on the cards, but Leinster wrestled control, restoring their lead through Dan Sheehan, and never looked back.
A Johnny Sexton penalty moved them further ahead before Luke McGrath effectively completed the win going into the final quarter.
Munster battled manfully but the Dubliners had the final word when Rob Russell scored late on.
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Leinster, who were often guilty of misfiring in the opposition 22, were held scoreless despite a dominant start. Jason Jenkins was held up early on and Sexton put a penalty wide.
Having missed a longer effort just moments earlier, Carbery kicked a territory-starved Munster ahead in the 21st minute.
However, prop Knox’s forearm soon made contact with James Ryan’s head for a yellow card. Penny duly burrowed in under the posts for Sexton to convert.
Jack Crowley and Tom Ahern increased their influence for Munster in broken play, the momentum leading to a second Carbery penalty.
A resilient Munster ended the opening half with Kleyn in the bin for taking out Jamie Osborne after a kick, but skipper Jack O’Donoghue held up Sheehan from a maul.
Roaring back in attack, Gavin Coombes’ looping pass sent his cousin Liam over after O’Donoghue’s kick chase had forced an error from Jimmy O’Brien.
Although a brilliant Carbery conversion gave Munster a six-point buffer, Sheehan replied with his sixth try of the season. He dummied through to score from a lineout drive.
Sexton’s drilled conversion restored Leinster’s lead, and the 37-year-old playmaker landed a 56th-minute penalty to leave it 17-13.
McGrath then stole a march on Dave Kilcoyne and Ben Healy to add the third try. Some prolonged Munster pressure failed to produce a score, and the pacy Russell sealed the bonus point with less then three minutes to go.
Edinburgh secure third victory of the season
Edinburgh picked up a 38-19 victory over Zebre Parma in the United Rugby Championship but will perhaps head home frustrated that they could not inflict more damage.
Mike Blair’s men ran in three tries before the hosts had MJ Pelser red-carded just 22 minutes into the match and led 31-0 early in the second half.
However, Zebre rallied despite their numerical disadvantage, with Alessandro Fusco, Luca Rizzoli and Jacopo Trulla all going over after the break.
Adam McBurney had touched down twice and Jamie Hodgson and Wes Goosen also crossed as Edinburgh bagged a bonus point before half-time, with Henry Immelman and Matt Currie going over in the second half.
Rhys Priestland stars in Cardiff victory
Rhys Priestland kicked 20 points as Cardiff inflicted a first defeat of the United Rugby Championship season on defending champions the Stormers with a thrilling 30-24 win in Wales.
Priestland also played a key role in Cardiff’s two tries with his cross-field kicks creating the opportunities for wings Theo Cabango and Jason Harries to score.
The Wales fly-half converted Harries’ try and added six penalties as Cardiff earned their fourth win of the campaign and third on the trot.
Nama Xaba scored two tries for the Stormers with Junior Pokomela and Leolin Zas also crossing. Manie Libbok converted two of his side’s four tries.
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