Munster put champions to the sword

Some outstanding finishing by Munster saw Celtic League champions Ospreys ripped apart in a 37-10 victory for the Irish province…

Some outstanding finishing by Munster saw Celtic League champions Ospreys ripped apart in a 37-10 victory for the Irish province in Cork.

Runners-up to the Welsh last season, Munster chalked up their second home win of the current campaign as man of the match Anthony Horgan (two), John Kelly and Shaun Payne shared four tries at Musgrave Park.

Ireland flanker Denis Leamy's positioning as a centre from the kick-off had no adverse effect on the Munster performance as they tallied up their seventh straight win in all competitions.

Lyn Jones' Ospreys, who started with midweek Lion Brent Cockbain in their pack, were always playing second fiddle despite fly-half Matthew Jones booting them into a fifth-minute lead.

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Paul Burke landed the leveller six minutes later before Munster fizzed some fast-paced attacking into their play.

A 22nd-minute blindside move involving good hands from Peter Stringer, Burke and South African Trevor Halstead put Horgan in for his first try out left.

Burke converted and the Ospreys' defence seemed in disarray four minutes later when Horgan, back from Achilles trouble, managed to weave his way over past a flat-footed Stefan Terblanche to put Munster 17-3 ahead.

Munster went further in front before the half-hour when the on-fire Horgan carved open the visitors on a 30-metre jaunt for the supporting Kelly to scoot over in the left corner.

Burke converted and added a penalty for a 27-3 interval lead.

Things went from bad to worse on the restart for the under-strength Ospreys as, following an early Burke penalty, young centre David Bishop was hauled off with a suspected broken kneecap.

Munster's hunt for a bonus point looked like being a frustrating one late on, while the Ospreys' effort were from too far out.

Ireland prop Marcus Horan threw in a crowd-pleasing sidestep around Ospreys wing Johnny Vaughton when gobbling up a loose ball in defence and Declan Kidney's charges closed out the win with a 70th-minute intercept try for Payne - his 14th league score - after Munster substitute Jeremy Manning had lost his way out left.

Manning converted and although Ospreys captain Barry Williams grabbed a converted try in injury time, there was little to stop Munster from joining Edinburgh at the top of the table.

Munster 37 Ospreys 10