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Munster’s Simon Zebo celebrates scoring their first try. Dan Sheridan/INPHO

Munster see off Ospreys to book place in URC semi-finals

Graham Rowntree’s men will play Glasgow or the Stormers in Limerick next Saturday.

Munster 23

Ospreys 7

MUNSTER CAN LOOK forward to a home URC semi-final after Graham Rowntree’s side had too much for a stubborn Ospreys team at Thomond Park.

Simon Zebo and Niall Scannell scored converted tries as Munster took a 10-point lead into half-time, with two second half penalties from Jack Crowley enough to see them over the line in this quarter-final clash. Ospreys’ only points of the night came in the opening stages, with Munster holding their visitors scoreless after Keelan Giles’ converted try in the fourth minute.

The defending champions will now be back in Limerick for a home semi-final at 6pm next Saturday to take on the winners of tomorrow’s clash between Glasgow and the Stormers in Scotland.

This wasn’t the most complete Munster performance of the season, with their attack lacking a clinical edge after a superb start and some of their breakdown work sluggish.

Still, they rarely looked troubled against an Ospreys side who saw their challenge fade after a lively opening 40 minutes. 

The province have now won 10 league games in a row for the first time since their title winning run in 2010/11.

Munster flew out the traps, slotting straight into their slick attacking game to score a brilliant opening try after just 90 seconds.

Moving through the phases, the hosts threatened down the left flank with a strong carry from John Hodnett before switching the ball across the Ospreys defence, with Zebo peeling off Gavin Coombes to take a pass from the number eight, skip past Giles and score.

As Jack Crowley added the extras from the tee, the 14,000 Munster supporters in attendance turned to each other and asked if Zebo should be doing another year with the province.

calvin-nash-breaks Munster’s Calvin Nash breaks. Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

It was the ideal start but Ospreys pulled level just two minutes later. A chip over the top from Reuben Morgan-Williams opened up the pitch and from there the visitors struck in a flash – Owen Watkin and Morgan Morris combining beautifully before Giles ran home to make amends for his earlier missed tackle, with Owen Williams adding the conversion.

From there a fascinating forward battle unfolded, with Munster’s maul dominant and the Ospreys getting joy in the early scrum battles.

Munster’s maul provided the source for their second try approaching 20 minutes. 

With the Ospreys threatening in the Munster half after a scrum penalty win, Tadhg Beirne came up with a big turnover to alleviate the pressure and allow his team turn defence into attack.

From a lineout in the Ospreys 22 Munster went close without success before another penalty came their way. At the second attempt Munster’s maul ate up ground before Niall Scannell broke loose and dumped Keiran Williams over the line on his way to scoring, with Crowley again on target with his conversion.

Munster continued to enjoy the best of the territory, Shane Daly denied a wonder-try after his soccer-style touch in behind was gobbled up by an Ospreys defender. 

The Ospreys were causing problems of their own with ball in hand but their discipline was proving costly, and with the penalty count rising Crowley pointed to the posts to add three points with just under half an hour played.

The final 10 minutes of the half saw Ospreys repeatedly go close, only to be denied by some excellent Munser defending. An attack off the lineout down the blindside was ended by Jeremy Loughman reading the play well to tackle Dewi Lake into touch.

Minutes later, Loughman combined with Stephen Archer to drive the Ospreys back five metres after Munster initially did well to hold them up on the line.

morgan-morris-tackles-jack-crowley Ospreys' Morgan Morris tackles Jack Crowley. Ben Brady / INPHO Ben Brady / INPHO / INPHO

Ospreys’ last chance of the half came and went as Munster won another penalty at the scrum, the home side surviving a lost lineout near halfway to go in 10-points up at the break.

The second period played out at a much slower pace. Munster went close to adding a third try only to be frustrated by a stubborn Ospreys defence, with the Welsh side winning a scrum penalty five metres out shortly after Munster had refreshed their front row with Oli Jager and returning hooker Diarmuid Barron. 

When Munster won a penalty under the posts approaching the hour mark, Crowley gladly opted for posts to add the first points of the second half.

Two minutes later Ospreys were pinged again at the ruck, and from the 40m line another Crowley penalty pushed his team 16 points clear.

Crowley then lined up another kick from near halfway but this time, his effort dropped short. It wasn’t the type of night where it would prove costly.

Munster played out the remainder of the game in the Ospreys half and while they will be disappointed not to cause more problems with their attack, knockout rugby is all about getting the job done. 

The defending champions march into the last four.

Munster scorers:

Tries – Zebo, Scannell

Penalties – Crowley [3/3]

Conversions – Crowley [2/3]

Ospreys scorers:

Try – Giles

Conversion – O Williams [1/1]

MUNSTER: Simon Zebo (Mike Haley, 54); Calvin Nash, Antoine Frisch (Tony Butler,, 69), Seán O’Brien, Shane Daly; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey (Conor Murray, 59); Jeremy Loughman (John Ryan, 62), Niall Scannell (Diarmuid Barron, 47), Stephen Archer (Oli Jager, 47); RG Snyman, Tadhg Beirne (capt); Peter O’Mahony (Jack O’Donoghue, 47), John Hodnett (Alex Kendellen, 62), Gavin Coombes.

OSPREYS: Max Nagy (Harri Houston, 71); Luke Morgan, Owen Watkin, Keiran Williams, Keelan Giles (Luke Scully, 80); Owen Williams, Reuben Morgan-Williams (Luke Davies, 69); Nicky Smith (Gareth Thomas, 55), Dewi Lake (Sam Parry, 65), Tom Botha (Rhys Henry, 55); James Ratti, Huw Sutton (Victor Sekekete, 71); Jac Morgan, Justin Tipuric (capt), Morgan Morris (Morgan Morse, 75).

Referee: Hollie Davidson [Scotland].

Attendance: 14,072

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32 Comments
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    Mute Michael Corkery
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    Jun 7th 2024, 9:40 PM

    Why is Zebo retiring?

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    Mute Stuart
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    Jun 7th 2024, 9:27 PM

    Munster pack the big difference tonight . Gallant effort in defense from Ospreys but disappointed they didn’t do more with ball in hand after that first 10 min..Munster strong up front but will need to show more than maul tries to win this trophy ..thought interlinking play between backs and forwards was off tonight for M.

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    Mute Thesaltyurchin
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    Jun 8th 2024, 1:46 PM

    @Stuart: It was muck in that second half, particularly the first 20, Munster were camped on Ospreys line getting nowhere, the worrying thing is that they don’t seem to have an idea what to do after 4 or 5 pointless phases of tiring themselves out, they really need a leader in that space to get it out the line. This has been a Munster problem for a few seasons now tho, seems mad that they don’t address it. Also Scannell is vital, Barron on and we start loosing lineouts, he’d want to get up to speed fast.

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    Mute Tom Reilly
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    Jun 7th 2024, 9:30 PM

    Munster won easily enough without being great. Beirne again brilliant, looked like a WC winner in contrast to Snyman.

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    Mute 3xHUEOS7
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    Jun 7th 2024, 9:30 PM

    A win is a win is a win. Onto next week and hopefully get some players back from the injury room. How the hell didn’t Jeremy Loughman get POTM? Outstanding

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    Mute Declan Conroy
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    Jun 7th 2024, 11:00 PM

    Who else but Zebo could weaponise going into retirement! You can’t underestimate this guy. It must be hard to be a rocket, in your twenties, lean as a butcher’s and still give him the respect that you have to… give him one soft step and he’ll back his smarts, and his strength to punish you. The line he ran for Crowley’s back door pass around 20 mins in, would have seen him through again, even if it had been out the front a split second earlier.
    I’m really enjoying watching this man play; it’s just full of the joy of rugby. Now where did I leave that pint?!

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    Mute Daithi Mc Ghiollamhairtin
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    Jun 8th 2024, 7:18 AM

    Crowley definitely the best 10 we have inI ireland . Looks a natural footballer with lots game nous, excellent hands, plenty of grit and minimal fear, along with a very solid kicking game. Can’t but think, as Leinster fan, how he’d have been the difference maker in the close finals we’ve lost. Perhaps Frawley or prendergast will transpire to be it for Leinster. Has to happen soon ..

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    Mute Dave Moran
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    Jun 7th 2024, 9:42 PM

    God that was bad. Munster fans have the cheek to criticise Leinster for losing European cup finals and will probably come away from that game satisfied. “A win is a win” as a few have said already. Glasgow and the stormers will be delighted watching that. Home final in the Aviva still alive by the looks of it. COYBIB

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    Mute Comeonyouknow
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    Jun 7th 2024, 9:47 PM

    @Dave Moran: sausage comment as usual.

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    Mute 3xHUEOS7
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    Jun 7th 2024, 9:48 PM

    @Dave Moran: Supporters of a team that just won are wrong to be happy and wrong to criticise a team that are perennial chokers? That’s a fair take Mr Moron. And it won’t be the Aviva either you plonker. There’s a concert scheduled for the two nights before the final. You might have to go beyond the M50 if Leinster do manage to make the final.

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    Mute Michael Corkery
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    Jun 7th 2024, 9:49 PM

    @Dave Moran: just giving you false hope. See you in Thomond IF you can survive the Loftus Versfeld

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    Mute Dave Moran
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    Jun 7th 2024, 10:05 PM

    @Michael Corkery: Hilarious that you think you’ll beat Glasgow. Having absolutely scraped by Ulster last week and an awful performance today. Munster fans, you must understand that you are nowhere near Leinster’s level. Munster don’t even have an opportunity to “choke” (losing to a world class team in the final) because they’ve lost in the round of 16 every year for the last Decade. AND the same amount of trophies as Connacht over the last 10 years as well. HA, all I can do is laugh.

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    Mute 3xHUEOS7
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    Jun 7th 2024, 10:08 PM

    @Dave Moran: also, we’re now wrong for being happy for beating Ulster, the same team your beloveds lost to twice this season. Just give up Dave you gomie

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    Mute Liam23
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    Jun 7th 2024, 10:14 PM

    @Dave Moran: you do know there was rugby in Ireland before 2009 or you of the snowflake era??

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    Mute Michael Corkery
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    Jun 7th 2024, 10:20 PM

    @Dave Moran: you’re right , I’m silly to assume you’ll beat Ulster. After all, they’ve beaten you in the last 2 games.

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    Mute Adrian Breen
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    Jun 7th 2024, 10:22 PM

    @Dave Moran: took the points on offer Dave. Watch and learn

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    Mute Owen ODonoghue
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    Jun 7th 2024, 10:32 PM

    @Dave Moran: they were solid Dave , even your friend Craig Casey was decent out there !

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    Mute Owen ODonoghue
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    Jun 7th 2024, 10:35 PM

    @3xHUEOS7: did you just assume Dave’s gender !!!

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    Mute Adam Pitts
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    Jun 7th 2024, 10:36 PM

    @Dave Moran: the amount of times you’ve said Munster won’t beat X just to be proven wrong in the following weeks and nowhere to be seen in the comments after is laughable. A classic troll who has no life outside of attempting to aggravate strangers on a sports media comment thread. So sad.

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    Mute Gerard Heine
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    Jun 7th 2024, 10:37 PM

    @Dave Moran: stick to your chokers lad . Munster get the job done .

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    Mute Tom Murphy
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    Jun 7th 2024, 10:39 PM

    @Comeonyouknow: he is right it was bad

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    Mute Comeonyouknow
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    Jun 7th 2024, 11:03 PM

    @Dave Moran: round of 16 is like 2 years old and we lost it only this year you sausage man

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    Mute Thesaltyurchin
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    Jun 8th 2024, 1:47 PM

    @Dave Moran: You’ll have to change your name if Leinster get beat today.

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    Mute Dara Gannon
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    Jun 9th 2024, 7:21 AM

    @Comeonyouknow: Moran by name, moron by nature.

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    Mute Tom Murphy
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    Jun 7th 2024, 9:33 PM

    If this Munster team can win the URC I will be astonished. It would be an incredible achievement

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    Mute 3xHUEOS7
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    Jun 7th 2024, 9:37 PM

    @Tom Murphy: the same thing was being said at the same stage last year too

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    Mute Thesaltyurchin
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    Jun 8th 2024, 1:48 PM

    @Tom Murphy: ‘retain their title’ is probs a better way of putting it Tom

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    Mute Owen ODonoghue
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    Jun 7th 2024, 10:25 PM

    Good win for Munster, the pack has depth and looks dangerous. POM is back to his best , Loughman and Jager are dominant at scrum time with Kleyn and Beirne being the best second row in the URC

    Zebo continues to be their main attacking weapon in the backline , my conviction on Nash and Daly being too one dimensional remains and could cost Munster, they need more cutting edge here

    Overall still the favorites to win the URC

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    Mute Tom Murphy
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    Jun 7th 2024, 10:41 PM

    @Owen ODonoghue: too many injuries for Munster to realistically have a chance of retaining

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    Mute Owen ODonoghue
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    Jun 7th 2024, 10:44 PM

    @Tom Murphy: I don’t know , I think they will beat Glasgow or Stormers next week. I think they beat the Bulls if they travel , only Leinster in a derby game looks like a risk to them

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    Mute Neil “Montyman65” Montgomery
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    Jun 7th 2024, 10:12 PM

    Not so sure about Munster as champions elect.

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    Mute Thesaltyurchin
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    Jun 8th 2024, 1:49 PM

    @Neil “Montyman65” Montgomery: But we already are tho?

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