Munster tough it out

De Villiers: Early try

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Munster boosted their chances of featuring in the play-offs with a hard fought 23-17 Magners League victory over the Scarlets.

Jean de Villiers and James Coughlan scored tries before the break for the Irish and it was too much for the Welsh raiders to overcome, with Rhys Priestland scoring all their points.

The Scarlets number 10 got his side off to the best possible start when he charged down a kick from opposite number Paul Warwick and was first to the touch down.

But the hosts recovered well through their forwards, with skipper Mick O'Driscoll well to the fore, and a lineout drive led to centre De Villiers scoring from close range.

Warwick added the conversion to give his side the lead after Priestland had failed to add his two pointer, but Scarlets were straight back on the offensive from the restart and Richie Pugh was only just held up short of the line.

Indeed, the Welsh side had much the best of the first-half but a Priestland penalty was the only reward for their effort as Munster finished the half with a flourish.

Welsh prop Deacon Manu was sin-binned for pulling Nick Williams back and Tony McGahan's side used the extra man to good advantage with Coughlan plunging over for a converted try in the 40th minute.

The place kickers traded blows after the interval and although Priestland added two more penalties a reply from the boot of Warwick gave Munster a 20-14 lead with an hour gone.

But Warwick landed what proved to be the match-winning penalty on 65 minutes from a difficult angle and although the Irish looked for a try to seal it, the score was not forthcoming.

The Scarlets finished strongly though, with the hosts down to 14 men after Tommy O'Donnell's sin-binning for slowing up a ruck, and Priestland added his fourth penalty late on to seal a losing bonus point.