MUNSTER MOVED A step closer to securing a home semi-final in the Guinness Pro12 last night thanks to an unexpected slip-up by the Ospreys in Italy.
The Welsh side left the Stadio Monigo empty-handed after suffering a 13-5 defeat to Benetton Treviso, with an 18th-minute try from Alberto Sgarbi, five points from the boot of Tito Tebaldi and three from Ian McKinley cancelling out a try from Keelan Giles on the stroke of half-time, which Sam Davies failed to convert.
Having recorded a 64-10 victory over Treviso in Swansea earlier in the season, Steve Tandy’s side would have been confident of taking another five-point haul last night, which would have sent them back into second place ahead of Munster, who were also in Italy yesterday to seal a bonus-point triumph over Zebre.
However, with four rounds of fixtures still to be played, Munster are now four points clear of the third-placed Ospreys. Ulster, who beat the Dragons on Friday, occupy the fourth and final play-off spot with a three-point gap back to the Scarlets in fifth.
Leinster, who face the Ospreys next, have a two-point lead at the summit following their 22-21 defeat of Cardiff Blues yesterday.
