Munster dig deep in bonus-point win away to Ospreys

Munster gave their hopes of a home quarter-final in the BKT United Rugby Championship a major shot in the arm, after picking up a resilient 27-17 bonus-point win away to the Ospreys.

In a game where Graham Rowntree's side had just 38% possession and 28% territory, the defending champions were clinical in attack as they picked up maximum points, while denying their playoff rivals anything.

Sean O'Brien scored two intercept tries in the opening half to help the province into a 19-0 lead, and while the Ospreys dominated large portions of the game, Munster's defence impressed as they moved up to fourth place in the table for the time being at least.

Shane Daly and RG Snyman were also on the try-scoring sheet for Munster with Joey Carbery converting two and adding a penalty.

Keelan Giles, Sam Parry and Alex Cuthbert scored tries for Ospreys, one of which Owen Williams converted.

It took only three minutes for the reigning champions to take the lead when full-back Mike Haley burst into the line allowing Daly to out-flank the cover defence and score.

Worse was soon to follow for Ospreys when a pass from Owen Williams was intercepted by O’Brien (below) who handed off Giles on a 55-metre run to the line.

O’Brien repeated the dose, this time it was a pass from Keiran Williams which went astray, with the wing performing heroics to keep his kick ahead in play to secure the touchdown. Carbery converted from the touchline to give Munster a 19-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Despite the scoreline, Ospreys had the better of territory and possession in the first half-hour and they were rewarded when centres Keiran Williams and Evardi Boshoff combined effectively to create a try for Giles.

Munster immediately responded with a sustained