Reds in bonus territory after blitzing Treviso
MUNSTER geared up for next week’s European Champions Cup semifinal showdown away to Saracens with a sensational victory against Treviso at the Stadio Monigo last night.
Munster boss Johann van Graan opted to rest the vast majority of his first choice players ahead of the daunting trip to Coventry and his weakened team were expected to be under pressure against a Treviso side desperately pursuing a spot in the play-offs.
JJ Hanrahan turned in a virtuoso display at out-half as the visitors battled back from an 11point deficit to land a heavy blow on the Italians’ designs on a place in the knockout stages.
Munster’s four-try bonus has catapulted them to the top of Conference A, two points ahead of Glasgow who take on champions Leinster in the RDS today.
It gives Van Graan’s side a real shot at a home semi-final, with one regular season fixture left, at home to Connacht on April 27.
That is a huge positive for Munster, given the host of frontliners rested, and this victory and the exciting nature of it will give the squad a huge boost before taking on Sarries, who go into the Ricoh Arena semi-final as favourites.
With Ulster booking their playoff spot last night, Treviso are in a dogfight with Edinburgh for a knock-out place and travel to Zebre for their final game, with Edinburgh away to already qualified Glasgow.
Last night, Treviso were quick out of the blocks and led 10-0 early on thanks to a Tommaso Benvenuti try and the boot of Tommaso Allan.
Munster hit back through converted tries from Rhys Marshall and Dan Goggin, but two penalties from Allan nosed his side back in front at 16-14.
JJ Hanrahan kicked the first of three penalties for Munster to regain the lead, but Monty Ioane crossed for Treviso and then Munster lost Darren Sweetnam to the sin bin.
Treviso collected a penalty try for a 28-20 lead but Munster then found gear. Shane Daly and Alby Mathewson both crossed the whitewash, with Hanrahan tagging the extras on both for a come-from-behind win. TREVISO: J Hayward; R Tavuyara, T Benvenuti (A Rizzi 68), M Zanon, M Ioane; T Allan (capt), D Duvenage (T Tebaldi 61); N Quaglio (C Traore 50), L Bigi (E Faiva 54), M Riccioni (S Ferrari 50); I Herbst (M Lazzaroni 55), F Ruzza; S Negri, A Steyn, T Halafihi. Scorers - Tries: Benvenuti, Ioane, penalty try. Cons: Allan (2). Pens: Allan (3). MUNSTER: M Haley; D Sweetnam, S Arnold (A McHenry 77), D Goggin, S Daly; JJ Hanrahan (B Johnston 77), A Mathewson (N Cronin 68); J Loughman (L O’Connor 68), R Marshall (K O’Byrne 61), S Archer (C Parker 51-61, 79); F Wycherley (D O’Shea 61), B Holland (capt); J O’Donoghue, C Cloete, G Coombes (D O’Callaghan 68). Yellow card: Sweetnam 44. Scorers - Tries: Marshall, Goggin, Daly, Mathewson. Cons: Hanrahan (4). Pens: Hanrahan (3). Referee: B Whitehouse (Wales).