Leinster 26-12 Munster: Home side’s early blitz sets up Croke Park win

After having largely soaked up Munster’s 20 minutes of pressure, Leinster showed their clinical edge in the closing seconds of the first half.

Doris turned down a certain three points to instead chase a fourth try and his gamble paid off with the quick tap penalty yielding Snyman’s score as he barged past former team-mates Craig Casey and Stephen Archer to touch down on the line.

The second half didn’t produce a score until Coombes’ clever grubber kick released Haley to win a foot race as Munster notched their second try in the 66th minute, with Crowley adding the extras on this occasion.

Another quick Munster score could have given Leinster something to think about in the closing minutes but it didn’t come as Doris and his troops dominated possession thereafter.

Replacement Ross Byrne and Frawley missed penalty chances to add to Leinster’s advantage but they mattered not as Leo Cullen’s side maintained their winning start to this season to move back to the top of the United Championship table.

Leinster: Hugo Keenan; Liam Turner, Garry Ringrose, Jamie Osborne, James Lowe; Ciaran Frawley, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Lee Barron, Tadhg Furlong; RG Snyman, James Ryan; Jack Conan, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris (capt).

Replacements: Gus McCarthy, Cian Healy, Thomas Clarkson, Ryan Baird, Max Deegan, Luke McGrath, Ross Byrne, Harry Byrne.

Munster: Mike Haley; Calvin Nash, Tom Farrell, Alex Nankivell, Sean O’Brien; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey; Jeremy Loughman, Niall Scannell, Stephen Archer; Jean Kleyn, Tadhg Beirne (capt); Jack O’Donoghue, John Hodnett, Gavin Coombes.

Replacements: Diarmuid Barron, Kieran Ryan, John Ryan, Tom Ahern, Ruadhan Quinn, Conor Murray, Tony Butler, Shay McCarthy.

Referee: C Busby (IRFU).