Munster beat Leinster at Croke Park to claim a bonus point

Leinster suffered a 31-14 defeat to Munster at Croke Park on Saturday, leaving the reigning United Rugby Championship champions with three defeats in their opening four fixtures and facing a short-term overhaul of personnel and plans. Munster secured a bonus-point win in front of 51,859 spectators, scoring four tries and using physical defence and clinical finishing to dominate large periods of the match.

Munster crossed through Brian Gleeson, Tom Farrell and Ethan Coughlan, and were awarded a penalty try, while Leinster replied with an early score from Ronan Kelleher and a late consolation try from Scott Penny. Munster’s pack and close-quarter defence repeatedly held Leinster out near the try line and turned pressure into points on the other end of the field.

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen said his side were outworked and conceded the visitors imposed a superior level of grit and physicality. "I heard Clayton McMillan talk about hard work, grit, and determination. They showed that in spades, didn't they? Whereas we were second in hard work, grit and determination and we just need to take that on the chin and be better next time," Cullen said. He added he was uncertain how to...