Edinburgh powerless against Munster big guns

Munster .......... 44 Edinburgh ...... 14

RICHARD Cockerill took pride from his side’s performance even though they slumped to a bonus point defeat away to a star-studded Munster outfit in Cork.

The hosts welcomed back seven internationals, including Conor Murray, for his first start of the season, and they were far too good for an Edinburgh team who fell to their sixth away defeat of the PRO14 campaign.

Cockerill instead chose to hold back his Scottish internationals in reserve ahead of the back-to-back Champions Cup games against Newcastle.

“I was pleased with the way we settled down in the second half and made them work hard for scores after the break,” said Cockerill.

“But all the damage was done in that opening 40. There is no shame in losing to Munster with a team like that out against us.”

Ireland centre Chris Farrell also started his first game of the season and he scored a try in each half.

Keith Earls scored a hattrick and Andrew Conway also touched down twice to put Munster clear at 34-7 by half-time.

Tyler Bleyendaal completed the victory in the second half and despite two quality efforts from winger DTH van der Merwe, Edinburgh were outclassed.

Munster head coach Johann van Graan said: “I’m very happy with the win and the bonus point. These games can easily slip if you don’t keep up your standards.”