The home side’s victory was built on a ruthless and clinical efficiency. The Scarlets played the more attractive rugby but a pragmatic approach by the home side ensured Munster moved five points clear at the top of the pool.
Both Stephen Jones and Rhys Priestland left their kicking boots at home – and when you play in Limerick you have to take every point on offer otherwise you leave empty handed. A losing bonus point could however prove crucial come the end of pool play.
“When you look at the pool at the moment there is still a lot to do, but we are still in with a chance,” said the Scarlets head of rugby, Nigel Davies.
Two Ronan O’Gara penalties ensured Munster went in at the break 6-3 up with Jones successful with one attempt. Due to a head knock, Jones didn’t reappear for the second half as the Scarlets searched for their first victory against the Irish province for the first time in 15 games.
But the game changed after the break when Priestland missed a relatively easy shot at goal. The home side then turned the screw with impressive scrum half Connor Murray scampering away downfield to inspire a red tidal wave towards the Scarlets try-line. Johnathan Edwards prevented a try by coming in from an off-side positon.
With the flanker sent to the sin bin, Munster reverted to type, O’Gara kicked the penalty to touch, O’Connell took the lineout and Munster drove over James Coughlan to put the home side in command at 16-3.
Ten points in the space of as many minutes at the start of the second half eased Munster ahead after the Scarlets had matched them for the first 40.
Scarlets replacements Phil John and Ken Owens gave the visitors fresh hope with a series of barnstorming runs. The Scarlets rallied and got a try from close range from Owens which Priestland converted to put the visitors into losing bonus point territory.
Despite the defeat, Davies hasn’t given up hope of making the knock out stages.
“We are very disappointed with the result, but very pleased with our performance. I felt it was a level up from last week,” he said.
“It was a game which could have gone either way. There were a couple of key moments, things we didn’t get right, a couple of unforced errors which put pressure on ourselves.
“There were a couple of big calls in the game, 50-50 calls which could have gone either way. I think the losing bonus point we picked up is very important – 19 or 20 points will probably see you qualify for the quarter-finals as one of the best runners-up.
“When you look at the pool at the moment there is still a lot to do, but we are still in with a chance.”
