Manning inspires Munster to victory

Munster 36 Connacht 17

However, there is no doubt that they were flattered by the 36-17 scoreline which paid scant credit to a Connacht side that battled gamely all the way and will leave their coach Michael Bradley wondering if their luck will ever change. They remain rooted to the bottom of the table, whereas the five points stretch Munster’s lead at the head of the table to that amount ahead of Edinburgh.

The game proved a highly successful return to action by Paul O’Connell and his well being leaves Bradley’s counterpart Declan Kidney with a selection headache before Saturday’s crunch clash with Leinster at the RDS.