Four-try Leinster outfire Munster in lively derby

Leinster inflicted a first home defeat of the season on Munster with a bonus-point victory at Thomond Park.

It was the sides' first meeting in almost a year and despite an encouraging performance from the hosts, it was Leo Cullen’s men who came away with a deserved win.

Garry Ringrose, James Lowe (2) and Jimmy O’Brien scored the tries as Leinster extended their lead at the top of the United Rugby Championship.

Munster, meanwhile, remain in fourth place.

Both teams recalled many of Ireland’s Triple Crown winners ahead of the upcoming Champions Cup double-headers over the next two weekends.

While there was only a point between the rivals at the break, the champions always looked like they had an extra gear and when the game was in the mix it was they who pressed their foot on the gas to surge clear.

"To come here and win, it's a brilliant result for us against such a tough Munster side so we're delighted with that," captain Ringrose told RTÉ Sport.

"We've one or two fix-ups, work-ons where we got exposed. To concede nearly 20 points in any game, there will be places for us to improve."

Although Munster had won the last meeting of the teams, the Rainbow Cup clash last April, Leinster had beaten their neighbours in nine of the last 11 encounters.

Eager to restore what they believe is the natural order of things, Leinster loaded up and recalled eight of the Ireland side to their ranks, while Munster had three of the Six Nations match-day squad members in their line-up.

However, Tadhg Beirne, Dave Kilcoyne and Andrew Conway were all missing and the loss of Gavin Coombes to injury in the first half of this game will give head coach Johann van Graan cause for concern ahead of their meeting with Exeter next weekend.

It was tit for tat in