Munster brush aside Connacht
Munster climbed up to third in the Magners League standings with a comfortable 35-3 victory over Connacht.
Last Updated: 26/12/09 10:05pm
Munster climbed up to third in the Magners League standings with a comfortable 35-3 victory over Connacht.
Despite missing the likes of Paul O'Connell, Denis Leamy and Doug Howlett, the defending champions were still too strong for their Irish rivals.
Ian Dowling, Damien Varley, Jean de Villiers and replacement Paul Warwick all scored tries to secure a bonus point. Acting skipper Ronan O'Gara weighed in with 10 points from the boot, while Warwick also landed a penalty and a conversion.
The sole bright point for Connacht came on the struck of half-time at Thomond Park, with Ian Keatley, who had only just come on for the injured Miah Nikora, slotting over a penalty.
O'Gara kicked Munster into a 3-0 lead on 10 minutes, with the home side dominating for long periods.
However their plans were disrupted slightly on 16 minutes when Ireland A full-back Felix Jones was stretchered off after a clash of heads with Johnny O'Connor.
Jones was replaced by Warwick, with Australian-born back 28yearold going on to put in a man-of-the-match display.
Warwick was involved twice in the move that saw Dowling, in for Howlett, cross for Munster's opening try on 20 minutes. O'Gara converted and added a penalty to open up a 13-0 lead.
O'Gara was also on hand to add the extras on 28 minutes after Varley had powered over from a rolling maul.
Connacht's hopes were hit when Troy Nathan was sent to the sin-bin after a late hit on Warwick, however the visitors were able to register their only points while down to 14 men with Keatley slotting over a penalty.
The second half was a largely dour affair as the match failed to kick into life.
Warwick landed a penalty two minutes after the interval but it wasn't until the last 10 minutes that Munster put the result beyond doubt.
Warwick crossed after he chipped over the Connacht defence and won the race for the touchdown. Warwick converted his own try.
South African import de Villiers had the final word as he powered past Gavin Duffy, Michael Swift and Liam Bibo during a 20-yard charge to the line.
