Munster dominate Scarlets in bonus-point win at Thomond Park

Munster continued their climb up the BKT United Rugby Championship table, as they made it back-to-back bonus-point wins with a 29-8 victory against the Scarlets at Thomond Park.

Ian Costello's side could and probably should have won the game by a lot more than the 16-point margin as they dominated the Welsh side, who had to make more than 200 tackles across the 80 minutes. By contrast, Munster’s tackle count barely reached 50 by full-time.

A wasteful first half prevented this game from becoming a blowout, as Munster’s lineout inconsistencies and poor protection of the ball saw them squander a number of chances, with Shay McCarthy’s try on the 20-minute mark their only score as they led 7-3 at half time.

They looked a different side after the break, and made their dominance count with an efficient attacking display, aided by a powerful scrum which drew four penalties across the match, and constant clean ball for the backline to work with.

Gavin Coombes (above) carried relentlessly to score two tries which he’ll hope could tip the scales for an Ireland 'A’ call-up this week, while his fellow back row partner Alex Kendellen will also be in with a chance of featuring against the English in Bristol next week after nabbing his team’s third try. Tom Farrell capped off the scoring with the final play of the game.

It took just under two minutes for the Scarlets to get an early sighting of the posts, with Ioan Lloyd attempting a penalty from 40 metres which ultimately drifted wide.

In terms of territory and possession, Munster were dominant early on, but it was a wasteful period as they twice lost lineouts in the Scarlets’ 22 inside the opening 10 minutes.

That pressure continued and ultimately led to the visitors temporarily going down