Munster 29 Scarlets 10:Munster are in firm control at the top of the Magners League this evening with a convincing win over Llanelli Scarlets, but the night will be overshadowed by an injury that looks to have ended Tomás O'Leary's season. The European champions lost their first choice scrumhalf to a suspected broken ankle and it looks like there will be no more game-time for the 25-year-old this season.
Dreams of pulling on a Lions jersey this summer will, therefore, have to wait for another four years.
He left the field with his side 7-0 to the good and was replaced by Peter Stringer. Such is Munster’s professionalism, though, they’re relentless march to their first bit of silverware of the season appeared unhindered.
The bonus point win was secured through tries from Ian Dowling, David Wallace, Keith Earls and Denis Leamy, and means Tony McGahan's side can clinch the title this weekend but will need the Ospreys to lose by more than seven at home to Edinburgh tomorrow.
Defending champions Leinster are mathematically out of the race.
Munster began with seven of their eight Lions in action, with tour captain Paul O’Connell the only absentee as he rested a sore hip.
Lions duo Matthew Rees and Stephen Jones filled places on the Scarlets bench, with Nigel Davies giving a number of the region’s young talents a run-out.
The Scarlets bossed possession from the off but Rhys Priestland flashed a third-minute penalty wide of the target.
Munster roared back and from their first real attack, Earls and Doug Howlett rampaged up the right, Lifeimi Mafi then sucked in three defenders before O’Leary scooped a long pass out to the left for Dowling to score on the overlap.
O’Gara converted but just two minutes later an unfortunate collision between Wallace and O’Leary saw the scrumhalf go over on his left ankle and he was taken off on a stretcher.
Priestland landed a subsequent penalty but a retreating scrum was really hampering the Scarlets.
Both Daniel Evans and Priestland kicked well for position but good cameos from Alan Quinlan and Dowling adding urgency to Munster’s play and Earls was held up over the line shortly afterwards as Jon Davies came in with a timely intervention.
After a series of creaking Scarlets scrums, Lee Williams put in a crucial hit on Paul Warwick but that defensive work wore down the visitors and Wallace spun past an initial tackle and powered his way over for a 33rd-minute try.
O’Gara’s conversion left some daylight between the sides at 17-3 at half-time, although Earls was the unlucky player to receive time in the sin-bin after a series of ruck infringements from both sides.
The Scarlets brought on Rees, Jones and Phil John for the second half and grabbed a try when Williams cantered into space on the right and linked with the supporting Evans before busy scrum-half Roberts took the scoring pass.
Roberts’ fifth league try was converted by Jones for 17-10 but five minutes later Roberts received a yellow card for a professional foul as Peter Stringer tried to put Munster through on an overlap.
Tony McGahan’s men took their cue. Upping the pace with Jerry Flannery and Leamy both prominent, Mafi put Earls through for a simple try, converted by O’Gara, and then Leamy pounced off the back of a steamrollering scrum to chalk up the bonus point.
