Five-star show secures a home semi-final for Munster
MUNSTER beat Treviso 34-14 at Stadio Monigo to secure a Thomond Park semi-final in the Pro12 with a game to spare.
The Irish side ran in five tries, with winger Darren Sweetnam touching down twice, despite being without captain Billy Holland through illness. They were then forced into an early change following a leg injury to Dave O’Callaghan in the 11th minute, with Ronan O’Mahony also limping off shortly afterwards.
After taking a while to get into their rhythm in Parma, Sweetnam scored Munster’s opening try when he went in at the corner on 25 minutes, with Simon Zebo adding another after 32 minutes, which stand-in skipper Tyler Bleyendaal converted.
Bleyendaal also put over a penalty which saw Munster take a 15-0 lead into halftime.
Ireland lock Donnacha Ryan was withdrawn for a head injury assessment soon after the restart.
Treviso full-back David Odiete got the Italians onto the scoresheet eight minutes into the second half when he exposed space on the flanks, his try converted by Ian McKinley to reduce the deficit to 15-7.
Munster, though, restored their advantage when Francis Saili’s looping pass released replacement Alex Wootton down the right to score a third try on 64 minutes, before Jack O’Donoghue barged over to secure a bonus point.
On 70 minutes, Sweetnam latched onto his own kick to touchdown, with Bleyendaal adding another conversion.
Treviso scored a late try from close-range by Jean-Francois Montauriol.