Munster 12 - 28 Connacht

Connacht put in a comprehensive display at Thomond Park today to come away 28 – 12 winners in their third and final pre-season game before the PRO12 kicks off in two weeks’ time.

Ireland international Kieran Marmion crossed for a brace of tries in the opening half, both coming off the back of a solid rolling maul. Jack Carty was on target from the kicking tee, landing two touch line conversions to put Connacht 14 – 5 ahead on the half hour mark after Munster’s Mike Sherry had crossed for an early score.

Connacht’s defence worked tirelessly to keep the hosts from crossing again but Number 8 CJ Stander found the line when he crashed over from close range. Ian Keatley kicked the conversion.

Just before the break, however, Connacht extended their lead again with an impressive driving maul that saw new flanker Nepia Fox Matamua touch down with the ball, Carty converting again.

Half time: Munster 12 – 21 Connacht

Pat Lam rang the changes for the second half, brining on all of his replacements but the visitors kept their shape and despite being reduced to 14 men for 10 minutes when Bundee Aki was sin binned they didn’t concede a score and went on to earn a penalty try which Craig Ronaldson converted.

Full time: Munster 12 – 28 Connacht

Connacht: Darragh Leader, Tiernan O’Halloran, Rory Parata, Bundee Aki, Matt Healy, Jack Carty, Kieran Marmion
JP Cooney, Tom McCartney, Rodney Ah You, Ultan Dillane, Andrew Browne, John Muldoon (captain), Nepia Fox-Matamua, Eoghan Masterson

Replacements: Finlay Bealham, Dave Heffernan, Nathan White, Quinn Roux, Ben Marshall, Eoin McKeon, George Naoupu,
John Cooney, Craig Ronaldson, Danie Poolman, Dave McSharry