Aironi 10 Munster 20:MUNSTER REMAIN on course to claim the number one seeding in this year's Magners League play-offs courtesy of this win over Aironi at the Stadio Luigi Zaffanella yesterday but their satisfaction in digging out a win in difficult conditions was tempered by an injury to Denis Hurley.
The winger was forced off just five minutes into the second half of an uninspiring encounter in rain-soaked Viadana and a concerned Munster team manager Shaun Payne admitted afterwards the player could be facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
The injury to Hurley was the one downside on an otherwise encouraging afternoon. Admittedly, they had made hard work of disposing of a side which had lost all 14 of its outings in the league. Indeed, had it not been for some atrocious goal-kicking from outhalf James Marshall the game could have been beyond them by the break. As it was, they led 6-3 at half-time, thanks to two Paul Warwick penalties..
Munster effectively put the game beyond reach with a third-quarter surge, though they were given a huge helping hand by their hosts. Two minutes after the break, Guilio Toniolatti took Warwick out in the air, earning the winger a yellow card. Munster took advantage as Aironi again shot themselves in the foot, hooker Tommaso D’Apice throwing a lineout to Ryan, who crashed over from close range.
No sooner had Toniolatti returned to the field than Gareth Krause was heading for the bin. Again Munster took full advantage, forcing a penalty try with an impressive show of supremacy in the scrum.
A bonus point appeared there for the taking but a raft of changes disrupted their momentum and it was Aironi who finished on the front foot, former Munster number eight Nick Williams driving his way over.
AIRONI: D Demas; K Robertson, G Pavan (G Pizarro 69 mins), M Pratichetti, G Toniolatti; J Marshall (R Bocchino 57 mins), P Travagli (G Bronzini 76 mins); Al De Marchi (An De Marchi 62 mins), T D’Apice (R Santamaria 49 mins), F Staibano (L Redolfini 59 mins); J Furno (G Biagi 72 mins), M Bortolami (capt); J Sole, G Krause (N Cattina 72 mins), N Williams.
MUNSTER: J Murphy; D Hurley (D Howlett 45 mins), L Mafi, S Tuitupou, S Zebo; P Warwick (D Cusack 65 mins), D Williams (C Murray 53 mins); W Du Preez (M Horan 60 mins), D Varley (D Fogarty 60 mins), T Buckley (S Archer 65 mins); I Nagle (A Quinlan 60 mins), M O’Driscoll (capt); D Ryan, T O’Donnell, J Coughlan (B Holland 72 mins).
Referee: D Jones (WRU).
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