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Andrew Conway: Munster's man of the match scored one try and set up another two. Billy Stickland/INPHO
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Better late than never! Munster clinch bonus point to close in on Champions Cup

Francis Saili scored Munster’s fourth try three minutes from time.

Munster 27

Edinburgh 19

MUNSTER ARE ON the cusp of Champions Cup rugby next season after Francis Saili’s try three minutes from time sealed the bonus-point victory for Anthony Foley’s side at Musgrave Park.

A penalty from Sam Hidalgo-Clyne 15 minutes from time had pulled Edinburgh to within one point of their hosts, but after turning down a couple of kickable penalties, Munster clinched the five-point haul when Saili touched down after a period of incessant pressure from the home side.

Munster were very impressive in the first half as tries from Rory Scannell, Simon Zebo and Andrew Conway saw them lead 20-10 six minutes before the break, but Jason Tovey’s try and three penalties saw Alan Solomons’ side work their way back into the tie.

With one round of games to go in the season proper, Munster now lead Edinburgh by five points and hold sixth place, while a positive result at Thomond Park against Scarlets will guarantee their spot in the Champions Cup.

The first try of the game came after seven minutes when Conway sent Rory Scannell over in the corner, which Johnny Holland converted for a 7-0 lead.

Edinburgh enjoyed their greatest period of dominance after that as Tovey kicked a 15th-minute penalty and followed it up with a lovely try in the 19th minute, which he converted for a 10-7 lead.

Johnny Holland landed his 15th successful kick in a row since he took over from Ian Keatley to level matters in the 21st minute, but Munster were good value for their 20-13 half-time lead after Conway chipped through for Zebo to score, and Billy Holland gave Conway a deserved try six minutes from the interval.

Tovey kicked penalties either side of the break to cut the lead to four points in the 43rd minute, but after a dour half, it wasn’t until the last 10 minutes that the home faithful had something to shout about.

By that point Hidalgo-Clyne had trimmed Munster’s lead to a single point, but after turning down a couple of kicks at goal in search of the bonus point, Saili ensured Munster got their reward with his side’s fourth try three minutes from time.

Munster scorers: Tries: R Scannell, S Zebo, A Conway, F Saili; Penalties: J Holland; Conversions: J Holland (2).

Edinburgh scorers: Try: J Tovey; Penalties: J Tovey (3), S Hidalgo-Clyne; Conversions: J Tovey.

Munster: Simon Zebo; Andrew Conway, Francis Saili, Rory Scannell, Keith Earls; Johnny Holland, Conor Murray; Dave Kilcoyne (James Cronin ’55), Niall Scannell (Mike Sherry ’58), Stephen Archer (John Ryan ’68); Dave Foley (Robin Copeland ’63), Billy Holland; Dave O’Callaghan (Jack O’Donoghue ’75), Tommy O’Donnell, CJ Stander.

Replacements not used: Duncan Williams, Ian Keatley, Ronan O’Mahony.

Edinburgh: Blair Kinghorn (Dougie Fife ’6); Damien Hoyland, Matt Scott, Andries Strauss, Tom Brown (Chris Dean h-t); Jason Tovey, Sean Kennedy (Sam Hidalgo-Clyne ’55); Alasdair Dickinson (Rory Sutherland ’58), Ross Ford (Stuart McInally h-t), WP Nel (John Andress ’67); Anton Bresler (Alex Toolis ’67), Ben Toolis; Jamie Ritchie (Magnus Bradbury ’53), John Hardie, Cornell Du Preez.

Referee: Ian Davies (WRU)

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