Carbery stars on his return for Munster

MUNSTER head coach Johann van Graan has refused to confirm if they are in talks to bring Simon Zebo back from Racing 92 at the end of the season.

Zebo is Munster’s record try scorer with 60 in 144 appearances but van Graan is remaining coy about their interest amid growing speculation he will depart Racing this summer.

“Zeebs is a brilliant player and we wish him the very best. I’m not going to speak about signing players,” said van Graan.

His side bossed matters in difficult conditions at Thomond Park on a night when Aaron Shingler made a successful return from a 13-month lay-off for Scarlets.

The flanker’s tackle count of 16 was the highest on the park, but his first-half yellow card allowed Munster to pull clear at a key juncture.

But it was Munster's own returnee, Joey Carbery, who was the key figure as his excellent play-making performance and perfect kicking display put Munster on the road to a fifth successive win as they prepare for the final against Leinster.

For long periods it seemed as if Angus O’Brien’s 24th minute penalty would be Scarlets’ only reward, but coach Glenn Delaney was heartened to see his side fight to the end, which was rewarded by Steff Evans’ 83rd minute consolation try.

“It is just work rate and effort, that’s the only thing you want to judge them by,” said Delaney. “The skill stuff we will keep working on, but we have got a group with a huge amount of character.”

Gavin Coombes’ ninth try of the season gave Munster an early platform but it was a stunning break from Carbery, starting his first match in 14 months after an ankle injury, which led to the decisive score of the game when he set up Shane Daly for a try on 26 minutes.

Shingler was sinbinned for offside when Scarlets conceded an eighth penalty, and Niall Scannell drove a maul over for a 21-3 interval lead. A yellow card for Tevita Ratuva for collapsing a maul led to Munster replacement Kevin O’Byrne mauling over the bonus point try.

Evans scored a late consolation for Scarlets with Munster loosehead James Cronin in the bin for offside.