Munster beat Ospreys 23-7 in United Rugby Championship quarter-final

Munster 23-7 Ospreys, Thomond Park

Munster have progressed to the semi-final of the United Rugby Championship as they defeated Ospreys 23-7 in the quarter-final at Thomond Park on Friday.

This is 10th consecutive win for Munster as they now are set to host the semi-final against either Glasgow Warriors or Stormers on 15th June.

Simon Zebo started the proceedings for Munster early as he attacked the gap between the two defenders to touchdown in the opening minute and Jack Crowley followed with the conversion to make it 7-0.

The Ospreys responded back in the 4th minute as Keelan Giles accelerated to breach the Munster defence to crossover for their first try and Owen Williams improved to level the scores.

The Irish province finished the opening half strong as Niall Scannell went over at the back of a line out maul and Crowley kicked a conversion and followed with a penalty goal as Graham Rowntree's men went into the break with a 17-7 lead.

Ospreys continued to infringe and conceded two penalties in the second half which Crowley kicked to make it 23-7 as Munster as the home side saw the remainder of the game to progress to the semi-final.

"Job done, we improved our discipline at half-time, third quarter, camped on their line, a bit frustrating," said Rowntree.

"We played cup rugby, took points when we could, kicked well in second half, greasy conditions but it was just our composure, really good in that second half.

"They were good. Again, that third quarter, we couldn’t break them down which gave them a bit of energy but we kept the heads, tactically, kicked well and a couple of key moments when we took points, took the sting out of the game.

"We’ve got to win, it’s not always glamourous, again, this is knockout rugby. There are elements to a game we’ll always review. You’ll get it on a Monday morning."

Team line up:

Munster: Simon Zebo; Calvin Nash, Antoine Frisch, Sean O’Brien, Shane Daly; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey; Jeremy Loughman, Niall Scannell, Stephen Archer, RG Snyman, Tadhg Beirne (capt), Peter O’Mahony, John Hodnett, Gavin Coombes.

Reserves: Diarmuid Barron, John Ryan, Oli Jager, Jack O’Donoghue, Alex Kendellen, Conor Murray, Tony Butler, Mike Haley.

Ospreys: Max Nagy; Luke Morgan, Owen Watkin, Keiran Williams, Keelan Giles; Owen Williams, Reuben Morgan-Williams; Nicky Smith, Dewi Lake, Tom Botha, James Ratti, Huw Sutton, Jac Morgan, Justin Tipuric (capt), Morgan Morris.

Reserves: Sam Parry, Gareth Thomas, Rhys Henry, Victor Sekekete, Morgan Morse, Luke Davies, Luke Scully, Harri Houston.