Munster set for away trip after loss to Leinster

Billed as something of a dead rubber for Leinster, who had already claimed the top spot in the United Rugby Championship, someone forgot to tell their players.

On the other side of the equation, the Stormers' 26-21 bonus point win over Scarlets earlier meant that Munster needed a bonus-point win of their own to overtake the South Africans and secure the second seed for the play-offs.

While Leinster gave gametime to a number of fringe players, Johann van Graan’s side were also without Damian de Allende, Peter O’Mahony, Tadhg Beirne, Gavin Coombes, Simon Zebo and Dave Kilcoyne, while Ireland international Craig Casey was a late cry-off with illness.

But Leinster, with tries from Scott Penny, Cormac Foley, Rory O’Loughlin and a penalty try, plus 13 points from the boot of Harry Byrne, were fully deserving of their win, punishing a visiting side, who started the game as favourites, for too many mistakes.

The final result meant Munster finished sixth in the table and will face Ulster away in the quarter-finals in two weeks’ time.

The failure to pick up a higher seeding may also mean a third trip to South Africa should they win in Belfast, and depending on how the other games play out.

Leo Cullen may have rested most of their regulars ahead of next Saturday's Heineken Champions Cup final against La Rochelle but it would have been hard to spot the difference after the opening passage of play.

A short kick-off, quick ball, line breaks and direct running made space for Ciarán Frawley in the back line. The centre, who later retired after a head injury assessment, spotted Penny on the sideline and put his kick into the back row’s belly.

From there, Penny sidestepped Joey Carbery and Leinster had a score within two minutes.

Sloppy at the