Bold opening: Munster edged a gritty victory over Zebre in difficult conditions, securing a 21-7 win that steadies their URC campaign after a rough stretch. And this is the part most people miss: the comeback pace changes when the weather turns, and Munster showed patience and precision to pull clear after a tight first half.
In a game that required resilience, Munster endured three losses in their previous four URC outings against Leinster, Ulster, and Glasgow Warriors. They made ten changes from the Glasgow defeat, yet they still dug out the result in front of their home crowd at Thomond Park, where rain and wind added extra challenge.
The teams traded scores to reach 7-7 at half-time. Munster began pressing from the outset, with a well-judged Tom Farrell kick setting up a line-out near Zebre’s line. The visitors were reduced to 14 early on when Giulio Bertaccini received a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on, but Munster could not convert the immediate pressure. Six minutes in, Shane Daly burst onto a clever kick return on the left and dotted down for the opening try; JJ Hanrahan split the uprights with the conversion.
A sudden downpour swept across Thomond Park, making handling risky as the ball slickened. Munster continued to probe, winning quick ruck ball and nearly scoring through a well-executed grubber from Mike Haley that almost put captain Jack O’Donoghue in under the posts—only for the ball to skid forward just at the crucial moment. The opening period saw Munster dominating territory and phases, while Zebre were forced into stout defensive efforts.
Just before the half-hour mark, Locatelli snapped Munster’s line, and Bautista Stavile crossed under the posts for Zebre, with Da Re converting to make it 7-7 at the break. Munster had one more chance before the whistle, but a spilled ball in wet conditions allowed Zebre to clear.
Early in the second half, Tom Farrell grubbered through and put Paddy Patterson clean through for a 50th-cap score, but the TMO ruled a knock-on as Patterson touched the ball and then the ground. The score stayed tied.
Munster spurned several opportunities around the 50-minute mark: Calvin Nash’s powerful run fizzled into touch, and a five-meter line-out maul ended with a forward pass. The breakthrough finally arrived in the 64th minute when a strong maul from a lineout and successive pick-and-go carries culminated in Alex Kendellen grounding from close range after his return from injury. Hanrahan converted to move Munster ahead 14-7.
Zebre battled on, yet Munster’s edge grew as ill-discipline from the visitors cost them crucial chances. With ten minutes left, Hanrahan aimed for the corner, and replacement hooker Lee Barron finished a well-worked lineout sequence—heading Munster 14 points clear after another successful kick.
Zebre pressed late seeking a bonus point, but a crucial Munster turnover, followed by Edogbo’s unfortunate knock-on, sealed the result as time expired.
Looking ahead, Munster head off on a two-game South Africa tour to face the Bulls and the Sharks after the Six Nations break.
Team notes (Munster): Haley; Nash, Farrell, Kelly, Daly; Hanrahan, Patterson; Milne, Scannell, Ala’alatoa, Kleyn, F Wycherley, Coombes, O’Donoghue (capt), Gleeson. Replacements: L Barron, J Wycherley, J Ryan, E Edogbo, Kendellen, Coughlan, T Wood, O’Brien.
Team notes (Zebre): Montemauri; Batista, Bertaccini, Mazza, Gesi; Da Re, García; Pitinari, Ribaldi, Pieretto, Canali, Ortombina, Stavile, Locatelli, Ferrari (capt). Replacements: Quattrini, Buofiglio, Franceschetto, Volpi, Bianchi, Dominguez, Roger Farias, Zanon.
Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU); Assistants: Robbie Jenkinson (IRFU), Max Weston (IRFU); TMO: Colin Brett (SRU).
