LAST UPDATE | 26 Oct
A SHARKS SIDE packed with 10 current Springboks inflicted Munster to a fourth loss from their last five games.
It has been a disappointing start to the URC season for Graham Rowntree’s side and another loss was on the cards when the Sharks scored after just 44 seconds in Durban. The electric scrumhalf Grant Williams had pierced the ruck defence in the middle of the field and offloaded to the Aphelele Fassi, who outpaced the cover defence.
It was 14-0 after five minutes and Munster had barely touched the ball. The Sharks led 31-10 at halftime, with Tom Ahern and Mike Haley scoring the Munster tries.
In the second half, Munster’s hopes of a comeback were snuffed out when Sharks flank Vincent Tshituka charged down replacement back Billy Burns for a try.
There was a superb finish by wing Calvin Nash to give the scoreboard a semblance of respectability and there was consolation when Tadhg Beirne scored a last minute try to salvage a bonus point for the visitors.
Daire Walsh reports from Aviva Stadium
A BONUS POINT triumph may have eluded them for the first time this season, but Leinster ultimately held off a strong challenge from Emirates Lions at the Aviva Stadium this evening to continue their winning start to the United Rugby Championship.
Having amassed the maximum tally of 25 points from their opening five games, Leo Cullen’s charges were met with considerable resistance from their South African counterparts in the Ballsbridge venue tonight.
Yet with five-pointers from Josh van der Flier and Caelan Doris preceding a late penalty try, Leinster have opened up a six-point buffer at the URC summit ahead of an extended break from competitive action.
ULSTER LET A 19-0 lead slip at the Arms Park in a second half which saw the hosts score 21 unanswered points to snatch the game from the Irish province.
A dominant first half had seen Richie Murphy’s side build their 19-point lead after two tries by Jude Postlethwaite and one from Ireland squad member Cormac Izuchukwu.
The visitors – with Iain Henderson having to depart early with what is believed to be a rib issue – then imploded in the second half, Cardiff roaring back through a spectacular Iwan Stephens try, followed by efforts from Dai Hughes and Thomas Young, with Callum Sheedy converting all three.
CONNACHT HEAD INTO the November break on the back of a bonus-point win after proving far too strong for Dragons at Dexcom Stadium.
The province were on top in all key positions and turned the screw on the Welsh side to notch their third win of the campaign with an accomplished display.
Connacht dominated the opening half and were full value for their 19-0 interval lead after bossing matters from the outset at Dexcom Stadium, with the Dragons never threatening an unlikely comback.
Paul Boyle, Caolin Blade, Cian Prendergast, Cathal Forde and Matthew Devine all crossed for the home side as the province outscored their visitors five tries to one in a dominant performance.
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