Munster remain on course

Defending champions Munster cruised into the Heineken Cup semi-finals with a 34-point thrashing of Ospreys at Thomond Park.

Four tries, supported by a superb kicking performance from Ronan O'Gara and two drop-goals by Paul Warwick easily dispatched the Welsh challengers.

Munster, roared on by a partisan home crowd, took a commanding lead at the end of the first-half and did not look back after the break as they tore The Ospreys defence to pieces to record a 43-9 win.

However, it was stand-off James Hook who had the chance to give the visitors the lead - but he sent his penalty attempt wide of the upright.

From a line-out deep in their opponent's territory, Munster snatched possession and David Wallace bundled over the try-line. But a consultation with the video referee revealed that he did not ground the ball.

Shortly after, O'Gara knocked over a simple penalty after Ospreys' defence were penalised for an infringement in the ruck.

Kicking

Hook levelled the scores almost immediately with a penalty of his own but indiscipline cost Ospreys again when O'Gara made it 6-3 after Marty Holah left his feet during another ruck.

The visitors were temporarily reduced to 14 men after 23 minutes when centre Filo Tiatia was shown the yellow card for an illegal tackle on Warwick.

Hook brought the scores level for a second time with a long-range penalty after Munster lock Donncha O'Callaghan had taken the Wales international out off the ball.

Warwick scored the opening try of the game with just over five minutes left in the first-half, when he broke through the Ospreys line and jinked past Hook to touch down under the posts before O'Gara added the conversion.

A fantastic move between Ian Dowling and Lifiemi Mafi almost gave the hosts their second try but the Tongan was stopped just short of the line. After play broke down, Warwick slotted a drop-goal through the posts to give Munster a ten-point lead at the break.

Rout

At the start of the second-half, Hook scored his third penalty of the match, splitting the uprights from the left-hand side to bring the score to 16-9 but his opposite number O'Gara responded soon after to reinforce Munster's lead.

Munster then surged into a 17-point advantage when good handling by Mafi found Doug Howlett on the right wing, who set up the try for Paul O'Connell and O'Gara nailed a brilliant conversion from the touchline.

Warwick then sailed an equally impressive drop-kick through the posts to make it 29-9 and put the tie beyond Ospreys' reach.

Another spectacular off-load from Mafi played in his partner at centre, Keith Earls, who scored Munster's third try.

Only seconds later, Earls went over again after a sprint from inside his own half. Mike Phillips almost made a try-saving tackle but video replays revealed the centre had grounded the ball before he was forced into touch.

O'Gara sent over fantastic conversions for both scores to complete a spectacular rout and keep Munster on course for another Heineken Cup title.