Munster grab seven tries in useful workout

Munster 43 Connacht 5 Munster had their last outing before meeting Leicester in the quarter-final of the European Cup when they ran seven tries past Connacht in a friendly at Thomond Park last evening.

It was a useful workout for Alan Gaffney's men as Connacht put up stubborn resistance for much of the 80 minutes, though Munster's greater commitment and level of interest ensured that the result was never in doubt.

Unfortunately, the game also cost Munster dearly, with scrumhalf Michael Prendergast suffering a dislocated shoulder shortly before half-time that will put him out of the game for the remainder of the season. He was replaced by Dominic Malone, who will now sit on the bench at Leicester.

Munster raced into an early lead with tries by Prendergast and Denis Leamy, both of which were converted by Ronan O'Gara. Their third try followed from Jason Holland just before the interval.

Both sides introduced each of their replacements as the game continued in Munster's favour. Mike Mullins, Donncha O'Callaghan, Rob Henderson and Dominic Crotty all scored tries with O'Gara landing two further conversions.

Connacht plugged away and were rewarded with a late try by Wayne Munn.

Meanwhile, Leinster prepared for their semi-final showdown against Biarritz with a practice session involving the Ulster squad at Lansdowne Road yesterday. Matt Williams's men practised their scrums and lineouts in a useful afternoon's work.

France prop Pieter de Villiers, who failed a dope test in December, will be back in action for Stade Francais today.

The South-African-born player tested positive for cocaine and ecstasy in December but French anti-doping laws state that only performance-enhancing drugs can be sought in out-of-competition tests.

MUNSTER: J Staunton; J Kelly, M Mullins, J Holland, A Horgan; R O'Gara M Prendergast; M Horan, F Sheahan, S Kerr, D O'Callaghan, P O'Connell, J Williams, A Quinlan, D Leamy. Replacements: D Malone for Prendergast, R Henderson for Holland, M Cahill for Horan, M O'Driscoll for Quinlan, E Halvey for Leamy, D Crotty for Staunton, J Blaney for Sheahan.

CONNACHT: G Duffy; T Robinson, D Yapp, S Moore, M McPhail; E Elwood, C Keane; R McCormack, J Flannery, P Bracken, D Brown, R Frost, M Swift, J Muldoon, C Rigney. Replacements: W Munn for Moore, H Burke for Flannery, J O'Sullivan for Swift, A Maher for Frost, M Walls for Keane, B Peters for Rigney, D McFarland for McCormack.

Referee: L Mayne (Munster)