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Conor Murray was amongst the try scorers in yesterday's rout. Billy Stickland/INPHO
Work in progress

Erasmus feels Munster are slowly clicking into gear ahead of Leinster showdown

Peter O’Mahony returned from injury with a cameo appearance in yesterday’s victory over Zebre.

MUNSTER HAD IT easy again in their seven-try win over Zebre at Thomond Park, and Rassie Erasmus thinks his side are beginning to find their groove ahead of next Friday’s clash with Leinster.

Yesterday’s game was packed with positives for the home side who have now scored 11 tries over the last two weekends and climbed to second with their fourth win of the season.

The return of Peter O’Mahony for the last 20 minutes was a huge positive, CJ Stander barrelled over for two tries, while Darren Sweetnam continues to impress with a man-of the-match showing.

Tommy O’Donnell and Simon Zebo also made bright returns following injury, while Jaco Taute, Darren O’Shea and Alex Wootton made very impressive first starts.

“I think we are getting there slowly,” said Erasmus. “Certainly we used some opportunities where last week was on a platter and we didn’t execute.

“There was a lot of points left out there but the guys were trying things. If you make a mistake while trying things then that’s okay.

“Against every team it is not easy, and anyone that saw the first 20 minutes will know that we had to break them down to get that score.

“But it was nice to go into the last ten minutes and not to be close and stressed. It was good to win like that and play some good rugby.”

The outstanding Sweetnam got Munster up and running after three minutes, while Conor Murray, Stander and Zebo also dotted down before the interval.

Stander and Stephen Archer also crossed again after the restart, while a penalty try also came their way when Sweetnam was denied a certain try.

But O’Mahony’s return to fitness was the biggest positive following almost a year on the sidelines with a ruptured ACL.

“Even if it wasn’t a tough run of games, to get Peter back is such a huge boost for the whole of Munster – his competitiveness his leadership,” Erasmus continued.

“He will take a lot of the leadership role that Billy Holland has been really doing well overall. It’s just another experienced guy and a wonderful rugby player. It’s great to have him in the squad.”

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