Munster off the mark but miss out on BP in win v Zebre

After two frustrating weeks, getting a first win of the season was of huge importance to Munster, but the teething problems remain.

The win against Zebre Parma at Musgrave Park was never really in any doubt, and while it gets them off the mark in the BKT United Rugby Championship, an inability to secure a bonus-point could prove costly later in the season.

The visit of Zebre was more of a banana skin than in previous seasons, in equal part down to Munster's poor start, and the Italians' gunslinging defeats to Leinster and the Sharks.

"We have a really good league but we damage it with that type of a product"@docallaghan4 airs his frustrations about the on-field delays exemplified during Munster's win over Zebre #rterugby #MUNvZEB pic.twitter.com/1ERU2Nbp2e

They created plenty of problems for Munster, particularly in the opening half where multiple TMO checks and several injury stoppages contributed to a 57-minute marathon. However, their lineout was picked apart at ease by Munster, leading to hooker Giampietro Ribaldi being replaced at the break.

With games against Connacht, Bulls and Leinster to come in the next three weeks, there will need to be huge improvements across the board, particularly around discipline and handling, which have been a common thread in the first three rounds.

"It's like we got a little bit apprehensive" Munster captain Peter O'Mahony sums up the #URC win over Zebre which saw the province pick up a first win of the season but miss out on a bonus point #rterugby #MUNvZEB pic.twitter.com/zZL4taS9OG

Of the positives, Peter O'Mahony and Tadhg Beirne looked much sharper than they were in last week's defeat to the Dragons, as did Craig Casey and youngsters Conor Phillips and Patrick Campbell, while their maul